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quoteCaravanners and motorhomers heading abroad are being urged to check new rules announced by the DVLA that came into effect on August 26th, 2025.
If you’re planning to tow your caravan, trailer tent, or any trailer weighing more than 750kg to or through most European countries, you’ll now need to register it with the DVLA before you set off.
Which trailers need to be registered?
- All trailers over 750kg gross weight (including caravans and trailer tents) being used internationally.
- This applies whether they’re for personal use (holidays, leisure trips) or commercial use (such as horseboxes).
Exceptions
You do not need to register trailers for journeys within:
- The UK
- Between the UK and Ireland
- Or when only travelling in Spain, Malta, or Cyprus
However, if you’re driving through another European country to reach one of those destinations, you’ll still need to register your trailer.
Countries where registration is needed
If you’re travelling in or through popular destinations like France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Austria, or Switzerland, your caravan or trailer must be registered.
In total, more than 40 countries are covered by this requirement, including Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and most of Eastern Europe.
What does registration involve?
When you register your caravan or trailer with the DVLA, you’ll be issued with a unique trailer registration number.
You’ll then need to:
- Display a separate trailer registration plate at the back of your caravan or trailer, as well as your towing vehicle’s plate.
- Carry a trailer registration certificate, which might need to be shown to foreign authorities on request.
- Display a UK sticker on your trailer to avoid any risk of enforcement action abroad.
Failure to have the trailer registered could also lead to refusal of entry to the country.
Costs
- £26 to register a trailer for the first time
- £21 for a new certificate if ownership changes
- £10 for a replacement registration certificate
Trailer number plates – what you need to know
The plate for your caravan or trailer is slightly different from a vehicle plate:
- It’s the same size as a motorcycle plate
- Has black characters on a white background
- Must be displayed on the back of the caravan or trailer, or on both sides if this isn’t possible
Plates can only be made by a registered number plate supplier (RNPS). Find your nearest number plate supplier – GOV.UK. You’ll need your number plate authorisation certificate (issued after online registration) plus ID and proof of address.
Failure to display the registration correctly could lead to fines of up to £1,000. Find out more about the correct trailer number plate specification at www.gov.uk.
Why has this change been introduced?
Many European countries already require caravan and trailer registration, and this move brings UK rules in line with their expectations. The system allows trailers to be easily identified abroad and helps reduce the risk of fines or enforcement action when touring overseas.
Planning a European trip with your caravan?
If you’re hitting the road across Europe, it’s now essential to check that your caravan or trailer is properly registered. Registration can be completed here: DVLA’s trailer registration service on GOV.UK.
Taking these steps will help you enjoy a smooth, stress-free touring adventure in Europe and avoid any unwanted holiday headaches. And remember that you must take the trailer registration certificate and registration plate with you.
And don’t forget to make sure your caravan insurance has European cover. Our policy has European cover options to take trips abroad for up to 180 days, or you can pay to extend this up to 240 days.
Has anybody tried to complete the DVLA registration? I tried today and is is not possible to register any caravan manufacture on the site! Several UK and Nedtherlands trailer companies but nothing for caravans. Our unit is a 2025 ADRIA on an ALKO chassis. But, these are not in the DVLA list. Also the site states that if the trailer is between 751-3,500KG and not used for commercial purposes there is no legal requirement for UK caravans in the EU?!?
My understanding is that unless you have your caravan TUV (MOT) tested every year (which is also not a requirement for UK) then a seperate number plate is not required.
I had my car and caravan TUV tested at a German test center in April this year and they said a second number plate issued in the UK would not be vaild for use in Germany without a yearly test.
Mixed messages here, can somebody get to the bottom of this!
Thanks for useful info.
Why on earth haven’t CRIS (who have the registration details) and / or manufacturers (who know which caravans are covered by warranty, and the owners details) advised us of this in advance.
I tried unsucesfully to register my Eriba caravan today, but neither Eriba or Hymer the makers are registered on the list of trailers. I could not see any caravan makers on the list, other than 5th Wheel. That it came into force on the 26 August 2025 without any prior warning, plus the failure to update the online form smacks of complete incompetence. Hopefully the caravan industry will lobby the DVLA to get their act in order before people start to be fined.
Is the registration plate as well as or instead of the existing (car) registration plate? Do you leave the trailer plate on in the UK? Do you need a special holder to slot in the appropriate plate, like HGVs do?
Hi Kathy, The trailer registration plate must be displayed on the rear of the trailer in a visible and vertical position. It must be displayed as well as the towing vehicle’s registration plate and must be fixed as far as reasonably possible from this plate. There is more information here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trailer-registration-numbers-and-number-plates-inf291/trailer-registration-numbers-and-number-plates-inf291
I was already out of the country when I first heard about this, we were away from 22 August to 8th sept.
The level of communication about this is generally is still very poor and could potentially have resulted in us receiving a fine !
Only required for commercial trailers or those over 3.5 tonnes.
You need to issue a clarification.
Hi Colin, thanks for your comment. All trailers over 750kg, for personal or commercial use, are required to be registered if travelling into some EU countries.
We have contacted the DVLA and they have informed us that the webform on their website is due to be updated by the end of the month. If you are at all confused please call the DVLA directly for clarification
The DVLA says you only have to register if trailer is over 3500kg. Who’s is correct. You or the dvla?
Hi Bob, thanks for your comment. Unfortunately, when trying to register your caravan today, the questionnaire refers to the legislation pre 26.08.25 and is therefore incorrect. We understand that the website is due to be updated by the end of September. When the prompt mentions you don’t need to register you can still continue by clicking the green button that you want to continue to create an account.
The DVLA has confirmed that all non-commercial trailers, including caravans, that weigh over 750kg must now be registered if travelling into some EU countries.
If you are at all confused please call the DVLA directly for clarification: 0300 790 6802
Hi…
Tried to register, but the website states because its under 3500kg gross, no registration required.
Can you Advise.
Regards
Hi Alex, we have been told that the website is due to be updated by the end of September. When the prompt mentions you don’t need to register you can still continue by clicking the green button that says you want to continue to create an account.
The DVLA has confirmed that all non-commercial trailers, including caravans, that weigh over 750kg must now be registered if travelling into some EU countries.
If you are at all confused please call the DVLA directly for clarification: 0300 790 6802
What about registering a caravan that is being kept at a second home in France and therefore the chassis number won’t be available until next time we’re over there? Can the registration certificate be sent abroad and can a number plate be made in France & by whom?
Hi Graham, please contact the DVLA directly for clarification: 0300 790 6802
In Europe ALL trailers however big or small and caravans have to be tested yearly (MOT Uk equivalent)