Q364: What are the rules for towing caravans / trailers with cars?
Driving licences
Driving licences issued on or after
01.01.97
From 01.01.97 drivers who pass their car driving test
(category B) can drive:
-
Category B covers small vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes maximum authorised mass (MAM) with up to 8 passengers seats with a trailer up to 750kgs (MAM) allowing a combination weight of 4.25 tonnes or
-
A vehicle of up to 3.5 tonnes MAM and a trailer over 750kgs allowing a combination of both car and trailer to be not more than 3.5 tonnes.
If you want to tow a trailer outside these provisions you will need to take another test for category BE.
Driving licence issued before 01.01.97
If you
passed your car driving test (category B) before 01.01.97, you will usually be
entitled to drive a motor vehicle and trailer with a combined MAM of up to 8250
kg.
Passengers
It's against the law to carry
passengers in a caravan when it's being towed.
Speed limits
It is also important to stick to
the required speed limits – they are different for cars towing a caravan:
-
60mph - motorways and dual carriageways
-
50mph - single carriageways
-
30mph - built up areas
Motorways – third lane
On the motorway, a car
towing a caravan cannot go in the outside lane (where there are 3 lanes).
Mechanical condition
Make sure your car and
caravan are roadworthy with regard to their mechanical condition e.g. lights,
tyres, brakes, number plates, mirrors etc.
Weights and plates
Make sure that the weight
of your caravan doesn't exceed the weights for the drawing vehicle – these may
be shown on a plate under the bonnet or in your vehicle's handbook.
Towball
Make sure you
comply with any requirements in relation to your car's towball e.g. weights, heights and breakaway couplings.
Mirrors
The requirement is that you must be
able to see clearly down both sides of your caravan, and 4 metres either side at
a distance of 20 metres behind the caravan. If your existing car mirrors cannot
provide this or you are doubtful as to whether they can, it is safest to fit
extension towing mirrors otherwise you may commit an offence.
Further information
It's important to realise
that the above only represent a basic guide to what's required. If you need
further information, we would suggest you contact an approved dealer or an
organisation such as the Caravan Club – please see the link below: