Changes To The Towing Law

On 16th December 2021 new rules for towing a trailer with a car came into force in the UK.

Depending on when you passed your car driving test will effect how the rule changes impact you.

What could you tow before 16 December 2021?

If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997, you are not affected by the rule changes.

You're already usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM*).

You're also already allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg (MAM).

*MAM is the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it's loaded.

If you passed your car test between 1 January 1997 and 18 January 2013, you were allowed to drive either of the following:

- a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total)

- a trailer over 750kg MAM, as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (up to 3,500kg in total)

You've had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier,

If you passed your car driving test from 19 January 2013, you were allowed to drive either of the following:

- a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total)

- a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.

You've had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.

If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you're now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM.

If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997, you are not affected by the change.

For more information on the most up-to-date changes, visit the government website.

This article is accurate at time of publication.