Caravan and trailer towing legislation and restrictions

Depending on when you passed your driving test, you may have to take an additional test to be able to tow a caravan behind your vehicle.

On 1st January 1997, the law changed, which meant that those who passed their driving test after this date were no longer permitted to tow a caravan or certain trailers without taking a further car and trailer test (known as category B+E). The new restrictions refer to the weight or Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM).

This means that with category B on your licence you are permitted to drive "motor vehicles with a MAM not exceeding 3500kg having not more than eight passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg. Combinations of towing vehicles in category B and a trailer, where the MAM of the combination does not exceed 3500kg and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle" (www.direct.gov.uk)

Those who passed their test before 1 st January 1997 can still tow a caravan or trailer providing the combination does not exceed 8.25 tonnes.

For more information and advice visit the direct.gov website or www.towsafe.co.uk