Towing With A Car: What You Can Tow - GOV.UK

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1. Home
2. Driving and transport
3. Driving licences

Towing with a car Skip contents

Contents

1. What you can tow
2. Towing weight and width limits
3. Trailers, caravans and towing equipment
4. Towing an American caravan or trailer

What you can tow

You can tow trailers up to a certain weight with your car driving licence. The weight you’re allowed to tow depends on when you got your licence.

You’ll need to know the weight of both the vehicle and trailer - also known as the ‘maximum authorised mass’ (MAM).

The MAM is listed in the owner’s manual and is normally shown on a plate or sticker fitted to the vehicle or trailer.

If you got your licence before 1 January 1997

You can usually drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined weight of up to 8,250kg MAM. View your driving licence information to check.

You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

If you got your licence from 1 January 1997

You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM. This is known as a ‘category BE’ vehicle.

Your driving licence information shows which categories of vehicle you’re allowed to drive. View your driving licence information.

If you do not have ‘category BE’ on your physical driving licence, DVLA will add this the next time you renew your licence.

Training to tow a trailer

You can get training on how to tow a trailer safely, including caravans or horse boxes.

You can find a training provider or course through:

• National Register of LGV Instructors
• Safe Towing Scheme
• Skills for Logistics

Check with the provider on the type of training they offer and the cost.

Towing heavier vehicle and trailer combinations

To tow combinations that are heavier than what’s allowed by your current licence, you need to:

1. Apply for a provisional licence for a medium-sized lorry and trailer (category C1+E).

2. Pass the lorry theory test.

3. Pass the C1+E driving test

You need to take extra Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) tests if driving the medium-sized lorry is the main part of your job.

Once you’ve done this you can drive vehicles and trailers with a combined weight of up to 12,000kg MAM.

Next:Towing weight and width limits View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content

• Towing: licence and age requirements
• Speed limits
• Towing with a motorbike
• Vehicle weights explained
• Tow a trailer or caravan with a car: safety checks

Explore the topic

• Driving licences
• Driving tests and learning to drive or ride
• The Highway Code, road safety and vehicle rules

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