Towing trailers or caravans with vehicles up to 3.5
tonnes

Are You Towing Legally ?



In this article reference is made to the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of vehicles and trailers. This should be taken to mean the permissible maximum weight, also known as the gross vehicle weight.

 

Car driving licence first obtained since 1 January 1997

The ability to tow a caravan or trailer will depend on the category entitlement on your driving licence. Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 will normally have category B entitlement on their licence, you are required to pass an additional driving test in order to gain entitlement to drive vehicles in category B+E and all larger vehicles.

 

By passing a category B test, national categories F (tractor), K (pedestrian controlled vehicle) and P (moped) continue to be added automatically. 

 

 

Category B: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM and up to 8 passenger seats.

Category B vehicles (up to 3.5 tonnes) may be coupled with a trailer up to 750kgs MAM (allowing a combined weight up to 4.25 tonnes MAM) or a trailer over 750kgs MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle, and the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes MAM.

For example:

A vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.25 tonnes could be driven by the holder of a category B entitlement. This is because the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and also the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle.

Where as the same vehicle with an unladen weight of 1.25 tonnes and a MAM of 2 tonnes when coupled with a trailer with a MAM of 1.5 tonnes would fall within category B+E.                       This is because although the combined weight of the vehicle and trailer is within the 3.5 tonnes MAM limit, the MAM of the trailer is more than the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle.

Most standard cars have a maximum recommended towing weight. It's usually listed in the vehicles handbook or obtained from car dealerships. You can also find it on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car. The VIN plate is usually under the bonnet or inside the driver's door.

The size of the trailer recommended for an average family car with an unladen weight of around 1 tonne would be well within the new category B threshold.

Towing caravans

As for towing caravans, existing general guidance recommends that the laden weight of the caravan does not exceed 85% of the unladen weight of the car. In the majority of cases, caravans and small trailers towed by cars should be within the new category B threshold.

An exemption from the driver licensing trailer limit allows a category B licence holder to tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would otherwise cause danger or obstruction to other road users.

 

Category B+E: Vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM towing trailers over 750kgs MAM

Category B+E allows vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes MAM to be combined with trailers in excess of 750kgs MAM. In order to gain this entitlement new category B licence holders have to pass a further practical test for category B+E. There is no category B+E theory test. For driver
licensing purposes there are no vehicle/trailer weight ratio limits for category B+E.





Car licences held before 1 January 1997

All drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM. They also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kgs MAM.

Drivers who hold subcategory C1+E - limited to 8.25 tonnes MAM, may apply for provisional entitlement to the new subcategory C1+E, in order to take and pass the test which will increase their combined vehicle and trailer entitlement to 12 tonnes MAM. It is not necessary to gain subcategory C1 entitlement first but drivers have to meet higher medical standards, and pass both the category C theory test and the subcategory C1+E practical test.

 

Know the speed limits for towing

Always stick to the following limits:

30 miles per hour (mph) on all roads with street lighting (unless a sign shows otherwise)

50 mph on a single carriageway (unless a sign shows otherwise)

60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways

 

On the motorway when towing

Remember, you must not use the right-hand (fast) lane on motorways of three or more lanes.

 

For any further Licencing enquiries please use this link..