INFORMATION
UK towing law – https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car
DVLA towing guide – https://www.dvla-contact-number.co.uk/a-guide-to-towing/
What you can tow – https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules
Towing in Europe (trailer registration) – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/trailer-registration
Towing abroad – https://www.gov.uk/visit-eu-switzerland-norway-iceland-liechtenstein
We’ve put together a summary of key towing points. Make sure to always do your own research before towing to ensure you have access to the latest up-to-date rules and legislation.
You must hold a full driving licence to tow anything.
The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.
In December 2021the law was changed in relation to towing. Following the change, the current UK towing laws are summarised below. We always recommend that you check the latest legislation. The information given here is in good faith and believed to be correct at time of publication.
If you passed your test before 1st January 1997 you are allowed – in most cases – to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8250Kg MAM
If you passed your test after 1st January 1997 you are allowed – in most cases – to tow a trailer up to 3500Kg MAM
*MAM – Maximum Authorised Mass (permitted maximum weight).
The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres.
The maximum length for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3,500kg is 7 metres. This length does not include the A-frame.
Your trailer must have a working brake system if it weighs over 750kg when it’s loaded.
You must use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling in case the trailer becomes detached from your car.