Do you need a licence to tow a trailer?

There are many reasons why you might need to hitch a trailer to your vehicle. But before you do, make sure to ask: do you need a licence to tow a trailer?

The short answer is no, you don't need a special licence to tow a trailer—your full UK car licence is enough. However, regulations around trailer towing and licences have changed recently, so it’s important to be familiar with the updated rules.

In this article, we’ll tell you what you need to know about towing trailers with a normal UK car licence. We’ll also talk about the towing limits of your licence, along with safety regulations you need to be aware of before you hit the road.

Can I tow a trailer on my normal car licence?

You can tow a trailer up to a certain weight if you have a full Category B car licence. How much weight you’re legally allowed to tow depends on when you got your licence:

• If you passed your test before 1 January 1997: You can drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined maximum authorised mass (MAM) of up to 8,250kg. In addition, you may also drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
• If you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997: You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500kg and tow a trailer with it. The trailer you can tow depends if you have BE marked on your licence and what the “valid from” date is:
  • Before 19 January 2013: You can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of your vehicle.
  • On or after 19 January 2013: You can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg within the towing limits of the vehicle.
  • No “Category BE” marked on your driving licence: The DVLA will add this entitlement to your licence on your next renewal.

The back of your driving licence contains a wealth of information, which lists not only the types of vehicles you're allowed to drive (noted by letter and number combinations) but also under what conditions (given in numbers). Read more in our article here.

Note: There are slight variations in the rulings for Northern Ireland, and full and comprehensive details can be found at NIDirect.gov.uk.

What does maximum authorised mass mean?

Maximum authorised mass, or MAM for short, refers to the weight of the vehicle or trailer and the load it can safely carry. You'll usually find this in the car’s operating manual, on a sticker or plate fitted in the engine bay, or inside a door frame.

If you’re unsure about your vehicle’s MAM, you can use a weighbridge to weigh your vehicle and trailer. Find your nearest weighbridge here at Gov.uk.

What is the new UK trailer law?

Changes to trailer towing regulations over the last few years have caused some confusion in determining what licence you need to tow a trailer.

Previously, drivers who passed their test after 1 January 1997 had to take a specialised B+E test to tow a trailer. But as of December 2021, this is no longer the case—all B category licence holders now have BE marked on their driving licence and are now licensed to tow.

What happens if you get caught towing a trailer without a licence?

Driving without a licence, regardless of whether or not you're towing a trailer, could cost you up to £1,000 and three to six penalty points. These points on your licence could go on to affect your insurance, flagging you as potentially higher risk and resulting in a hike in your insurance premiums.

For a full list of penalty points, fines, and driving bans, visit Gov.uk.

What are the legal requirements for towing a trailer?

Once you know what trailer you can tow with your licence, there are other rules and regulations you must remember. Here are some of the key points from Gov.uk:

Lower speed limit

Vehicles towing any sort of trailer are subject to lower speed limits. For example, the speed limit drops from 60 mph to 50 mph on single carriageways, and from 70 mph to 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Trailer size

If your trailer is wider than your car, UK law requires you to use side mirror extenders so you can have a clear view of the road behind you. Failing to do so could cause a fine of up to £1,000 and 3 penalty points.

Your vehicle’s MAM also dictates your trailer’s maximum length:

• If your car's MAM is 3,500kg or less: You may not tow a trailer longer than 7 metres.
• If your vehicle’s MAM is more than 3,500kg: You can tow a trailer up to 12 metres as long as the vehicle and trailer’s combined length doesn’t exceed 18 metres. The load must also not overhang more than 3.05 metres from the back of the trailer.

Tow bars

Any tow bar fitted to your car must be ”type approved”—designed specifically for your car. Type-approved tow bars should have a label with the approval number and compatible vehicles. Cars manufactured before 1 August 1998 are exempt from this requirement.

Additional weight requirements

If your trailer weighs over 750kg when loaded, it must have a working brake system. Breakaway cables and secondary coupling are also required for safety in case the trailer becomes detached at any point.

Number plates

Trailers are required to have a number plate, which must match the number plate of the towing vehicle.

Lights and reflectors

According to the National Trailer and Towing Association, trailers must be fitted with the following lights:

• Two red sidelights
• Two red stop lamps
• An illuminated number plate
• Two triangular red reflectors
• Amber indicators that flash between 60 and 120 times per minute.
• Trailers wider than 1.3 metres require at least one red fog lamp.
• Any trailer built after 30 September 1990 needs front reflectors, and if more than 1.6m wide, front position lights.

You can find a full list of requirements here at the National Trailer and Towing Association website.

Safety Standards

Both your car and trailer, as well as all their additional accessories, such as tow bar, lights and trailer brakes for example must meet certain safety requirements and be used correctly. If not, you can face fines of up to £2,500, be banned from driving, and get 3 penalty points for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

You can find a list of safety checks to carry out each time you tow a trailer at Gov.uk; the National Trailer and Towing Association also offer this service for free.

MOT

Depending on the size and type of your trailer, you may need to get an MOT to use it legally on the road. Trailers must be tested one year after they were first and annually thereafter. You can book your test here at Gov.uk.

Insurance

While insurance for towing trailers or caravans isn't legally required, it's still worth considering. In case of accident or theft, you'll be liable for any damage to your trailer and its contents.

If you’re unsure whether your current insurance doesn’t include towing, speak to the team at Howden today. You may be able to upgrade your policy to include it or take out a separate policy for trailer cover.

Training

Although towing courses are no longer required, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) still urges drivers to take them for safety. The Camping and Caravanning Club offers manoeuvring courses, while the DVSA has developed a training syllabus for towing trailers and caravans safely.

Summary: Can you tow a trailer with a normal licence?

Although a standard category B licence allows anyone to tow a trailer within certain limits and without specialised training, there are still some things to keep in mind. The date you passed your driving test, along with the “valid from” date of your BE entitlement (if applicable), determines what kind of trailer you can tow.

Aside from trailer weight and length, you also need to adhere to extra safety requirements and legal standards when towing. Tow bars, number plates, lights and reflectors, and annual checks are some of the things you must remember if you want your trailer to be road-legal.

As always, it’s worth checking with your insurer to see if your cover extends to your trailer or caravan. Speak to the team at Howden today for insurance specifically tailored to your needs, so you can hit the road knowing that you’re completely covered.

Also read:

• A guide to UK driving licence codes and categories
• How much is caravan insurance?
• Top ten Caravan towing cars
• What modifications affect car insurance?
• READ MORE OF OUR CARAVAN INSURANCE GUIDES

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