The rules on what you can tow depend on when you passed your car test. They changed in December 2021, and plenty of older guides still haven't caught up. Here's the up-to-date picture, with links to GOV.UK so you can check for yourself.
Check towing capacity by reg Enter your registration number to see your vehicle details.
The short answer
- Passed your car test on or after 1 January 1997: you can tow a trailer up to 3,500kg MAM. GOV.UK calls this category BE.
- Passed before 1 January 1997: you can usually drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined weight of up to 8,250kg MAM.
Your car's own towing limit still applies on top of all that.
The December 2021 change
Until 2021, if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997, you had to pass a separate car and trailer test (B+E) to tow a heavier trailer.
That changed on 16 December 2021. Since then, anyone with a full category B car licence who passed their test from 1 January 1997 can tow a trailer up to 3,500kg MAM without taking an extra test. DVSA stopped running car and trailer tests from 20 September 2021 ahead of the change.
You might not see "BE" on your photocard licence. GOV.UK says DVLA will add it the next time you renew your licence. If you plan to tow abroad, check that country's rules, because some places may still want to see BE on your licence.
What MAM means
MAM stands for maximum authorised mass. It's the most a vehicle or trailer is allowed to weigh when loaded, not what it weighs empty. You'll find it in the handbook, and usually on a plate or sticker fitted to the vehicle or trailer.
MAM is a licence and legal number. Your car's towing capacity is a different number, set by the manufacturer. You need to stay within both.
The 3,500kg limits explained
Two separate 3,500kg figures cause confusion.
- The car: a category B licence covers vehicles with a MAM of up to 3,500kg (4,250kg for zero emission vehicles such as electric cars). That's why most cars and vans fall under B.
- The trailer: with a petrol, diesel, electric or hydrogen vehicle, you can tow a trailer with a MAM up to 3,500kg. GOV.UK says the combined MAM of the vehicle and trailer mustn't exceed 7,000kg.
In practice, your car's towing capacity is often lower than 3,500kg, so it's the limit that stops you first.
Older licences and category BE dates
If your licence has a BE entitlement, GOV.UK says the size of trailer depends on the "valid from" date:
- before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of the vehicle;
- on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM up to 3,500kg within the towing limits of the vehicle.
You can view your licence information on GOV.UK to check what you've got.
Towing something heavier
To tow more than your licence allows, you'd need to apply for a provisional licence for a medium-sized lorry and trailer (category C1+E), pass the lorry theory test and pass the C1+E test. That lets you drive vehicles and trailers up to 12,000kg MAM combined. Extra Driver CPC tests apply if driving the lorry is the main part of your job.
Trailer width and length limits
GOV.UK sets out these limits:
- Width: the maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres.
- Length: if your vehicle's MAM is 3,500kg or less, you can't tow a trailer longer than 7 metres.
- Heavier vehicles: if your vehicle's MAM is over 3,500kg, the limits are 12 metres for the trailer and 18 metres for the vehicle and trailer combined, with a maximum rear overhang of 3.05 metres.
Lengths don't include the A-frame.
Other rules to know about
- Brakes: a trailer over 750kg when loaded must have a working brake system, and you must use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling.
- Number plate: the trailer must show the same number plate as the towing car.
- Towing mirrors: you need an adequate view behind you. Fit towing mirrors if the trailer or caravan is wider than the rear of your car. GOV.UK says you can be fined up to £1,000 and get 3 penalty points for towing without proper mirrors.
- Tow bars: they need to be type approved, unless your car was first used before 1 August 1998.
- Speed limits: a car towing a trailer or caravan is limited to 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways, unless signs say otherwise.
- Motorways: you can't use the right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes when towing.
Using a vehicle in a dangerous condition can mean a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points.
Get some training
You don't need a test, but towing is a skill. GOV.UK points to the National Register of LGV Instructors, the Safe Towing Scheme and Skills for Logistics for training. It's well worth it if you're new to caravans or horseboxes.
Quick FAQs
What can I tow on a standard UK car licence?
If you passed your car test on or after 1 January 1997, you can tow a trailer up to 3,500kg MAM. Before that date, you can usually drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM. Your car's own towing limit and gross train weight still apply. Since 16 December 2021, you don't need a separate B+E test to tow up to 3,500kg.
What happens if I tow over the limit?
Overloading can make your vehicle unsafe and unstable. Using a vehicle in a dangerous condition can mean a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points, according to GOV.UK. It may also affect your insurance, so check with your insurer.
Can my car tow a caravan?
It can if the caravan's laden weight is within your car's braked towing limit, the car and caravan together are within the gross train weight, the noseweight suits the towball limit, and your licence allows it. The Caravan Club also suggests keeping a beginner's caravan to 85% of the car's kerb weight.
Not sure what your car can pull? Check towing capacity by reg.