What should you do before you tow a trailer for the first time?

Towing a trailer requires remembering several things before heading out, such as licensing rules, equipment and safety checks, driving techniques, and secure loading procedures. If you haven’t done it before, you might ask: what should you do before you tow a trailer for the first time? 

To help make your inaugural tow a smooth experience, we’ve broken down what you need to do in 5 easy steps:

1. Double-check what you can tow with your licence
2. Confirm your vehicle’s towing limits
3. Make sure your vehicle and trailer aren’t too long
4. Perform pre-travel safety checks
5. Familiarise yourself with driving regulations

Read on to find out how these steps can help make your towing experience smooth and safe every time.

1. Double-check what you can tow with your licence

To tow a trailer, you need a full category B licence. Gov.uk lists certain towing weight requirements depending on when you passed your driving test:

• Before 1 January 1997: You can drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined maximum authorised mass (or MAM, for short) of 8,250kg. In addition, you may also drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM. 
• Maximum authorised mass refers to the weight of either a vehicle or trailer and the load it can safely carry.
• After 1 January 1997: You can drive vehicles with up to 3,500kg MAM, and tow a trailer that weighs a further 3,500kg MAM.

Additionally, if your licence is marked with “BE,” check the “valid from” date:

• If it’s before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of your vehicle
• If it’s 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.

Note: Northern Ireland has slight variations in driving licence categories. Full details can be found at NIDirect.gov.uk.

Your driving licence contains a lot of different information, such as the types of vehicles you're allowed to drive (noted by letter and number combinations) and on what conditions (given in numbers). You can read more about them in our guide to UK driver's licences.

Do you need training to tow a trailer?

Prior to December 2021, drivers who earned their licence after 1 January 1997 had to take an additional test to be permitted to tow a trailer. However, those who passed their test before 1997 were allowed to tow without additional training.

While training is no longer required by law, towing experts and Gov.uk still highly recommend doing so. Learning to drive with the extra length, width, and weight of a trailer can take some getting used to. 

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has developed a training syllabus together with industry experts to help drivers learn safe towing practices. You can find your nearby accredited trainer at Gov.uk.

2. Confirm your vehicle’s towing limits

You can usually find this information on the owner’s manual or on the vehicle manufacturer's plate—usually located in the engine bay or inside a door frame.

According to Gov.uk, the vehicle manufacturer's plate should have four weights listed: 

• The first number is the MAM or maximum weight of the vehicle on its own
• The second number is the MAM of the vehicle and trailer combined
• The third number is the MAM for the front axle of the vehicle
• The fourth number is the MAM for the rear axle of the vehicle

These weights include passengers, other loads, and fuel. 

If you are unsure about the weight of your vehicle and trailer, you can find details about your closest weighbridge here at Gov.uk.

3. Make sure your vehicle and trailer aren’t too long

Aside from weight limits, you also need to consider the length of your vehicle and trailer together. 

If your vehicle’s MAM is 3,500kg or less, you can only tow a trailer shorter than 7 metres. 

On the other hand, vehicles with more than 3,500kg MAM can tow a trailer with a length of up to 12 metres, as long as the combined vehicle and trailer length doesn’t exceed 18 metres. The load overhang at the back of the trailer also must not be more than 3.05 metres.

4. Perform pre-travel safety checks

One thing you must do before towing a trailer for the first time (and every time thereafter) is to give your set-up a proper once-over.

Failing to do so could be considered using a vehicle or trailer in a dangerous condition, and you could get a fine of up to £2,500, three penalty points on your licence, and be banned from driving.

Before you hit the road, always perform these basic safety checks.

Towball and connections 

• Follow the manufacturer's advice and ensure that the trailer is correctly coupled to the towball or pin at the correct height. Make sure that the 7 or 13-core cable isn’t damaged.
• Check that the breakaway cable and secondary coupling are connected correctly and that the cable is not worn or damaged. 
• Make sure there’s enough slack in the cables to prevent the brakes from accidentally engaging. However, the cable must not be low enough to drag on the ground while the car is moving.

Wheels and tyres 

• Inspect both vehicle and trailer tyres for any damage before setting off. Ensure that your tyres are inflated to the manufacturer's specifications according to load. 
• Tyres should have a tread depth of at least 1.6 millimetres around their entire circumference. 
• Check that all wheel nuts and bolts are tightened correctly and that mudguards are both fitted and secure.

Lights and indicators

• Ensure that all required trailer lights and indicators are in good condition and working correctly.

Trailer load

• The general rule of thumb is to place most of the load (about 60%) forward of the trailer’s front axle, making sure it’s evenly distributed. 
• Ensure the trailer load is secure and not freely moving, as this could throw the weight balance off and cause a loss of control.

Gov.uk has provided a safety video for an easy visual reference on all these points. You can also get a free trailer safety check performed by one of the National Trailer and Towing Association's accredited workshop companies.

5. Familiarise yourself with driving regulations

Although you’re not required to take trailer towing courses, you still need to adhere to the following safety rules:

• Speed limits are lower when towing a trailer. For instance, the speed limit drops from 60 mph to 50 mph on single carriageways. On dual carriageways and motorways, the speed limit is 60 mph instead of the usual 70 mph.

Speed limits in built-up areas remain the same: 30 mph in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland; and 20 mph in Wales.

• Fishtailing occurs when your trailer starts to snake or swerve behind you. If this happens, gently reduce your speed as you could be going too fast, or your trailer load is uneven. If it’s the latter, find a safe space to pull off the road and rearrange your trailer contents.
• Sharp braking, especially on a bend, can be dangerous. The extra weight from the trailer can cause it to jackknife or swing sideways, which in turn can cause you to lose control. Gov.uk recommends reducing your speed earlier than usual when approaching any hazard.

• Trailers have different weight requirements for brakes depending on the load. A loaded trailer without a braking system must weigh less than 750kg and be less than 50% of your car's weight. If your trailer has a braking system, both the car and trailer’s combined weight must not exceed the weight listed in your operating manual or on the second line of your manufacturer plate.

• Keep left at all times when towing a trailer. You may not drive in the right-hand lane if the motorway has 3 or more lanes.
• You must use side mirror extenders if your trailer is wider than your car. Doing so helps you get an unobstructed view of the road behind you.
• A car towing a trailer handles very differently than one without a trailer. It's wise to increase your following distance, take your time when changing lanes, and shift to a lower gear when going up or down a hill. 
• Remember to adjust your turning circle. The trailer doesn’t always follow your car's path when turning, so a wider swing may be needed to accommodate it.
• Your trailer must have the same licence plate as the tow vehicle. 
• Your trailer may need an annual MOT depending on its weight and size. If so, make sure your trailer’s MOT is up to date before you hit the road.
• Trailer insurance is not a requirement; however, it’s a good idea to get cover anyway. Otherwise, you're liable for any damage to your trailer and its contents in case of accident or theft.

Summary: What do I need to know before towing a trailer for the first time?

Towing a trailer for the first time can seem daunting, but following our 5-step checklist will set you up for success:

1. Check your licence details
2. Confirm your car’s specs and weight limits
3. Double-check your trailer size
4. Do your safety checks before you go
5. Be familiar with rules and regulations

If you want extra peace of mind for your journey, chat with the Howden team about trailer insurance you can rely on.

Get a Quote

Also read:

• Do you need insurance to tow a caravan?
• How much is caravan insurance?
• Top ten Caravan towing cars
• Trailer tent insurance explained