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.
Most drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997 have licence categories allowing them to drive vehicle and trailer combinations weighing up to 8.25 tonnes MAM.
If you passed your driving test after 1 January 1997 will only be allowed to:
drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM
tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg
You have to pass the car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.
*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.