What are the rules for towing a trailer or caravan with a car?

For drivers who want to tow a trailer, caravan or horsebox with a car.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

What you can tow depends mainly on when you passed your driving test, and your car's own towing limits.

Passed before 1 January 1997: you can usually drive a car and trailer up to 8,250kg combined maximum weight.
Passed on or after 1 January 1997: you can tow a trailer up to 3,500kg maximum weight, with no extra test.
You must not go over your car's towing limit or its gross train weight.
Trailers over 750kg loaded need working brakes.
Towing speed limits are 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Different in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

Rules may be different in:

Northern Ireland: Check nidirect for Northern Ireland

Key facts

Pre 1997 licence: up to 8,250kg
1997 on: trailer up to 3,500kg
No towing test needed
Max trailer width 2.55m

Who can tow, and how much

What you are allowed to tow on a car licence depends on when you passed your car driving test.

When you passed	What you can tow
Before 1 January 1997	Usually a car and trailer up to 8,250kg combined MAM
On or after 1 January 1997	A trailer up to 3,500kg MAM (category BE)

MAM means maximum authorised mass. It is the most the vehicle or trailer can weigh when fully loaded. You can find it in the owner's manual or on a plate or sticker on the vehicle or trailer.

If you passed on or after 1 January 1997 and category BE is not on your licence, you do not need to do anything now. DVLA will add it the next time you renew your licence. You do not need to take a towing test.

Your car's own limits

Even if your licence allows it, you must stay within your car's limits:

Maximum towing weight: shown in the car's handbook or on its VIN plate, usually under the bonnet or inside the driver's door.
Gross train weight: the most the fully loaded car and fully loaded trailer can weigh together. Never go over it.
If your car has no train weight listed, it should not be used for towing.

Size limits

Limit	Rule
Trailer width	2.55 metres at most
Trailer length (towing vehicle 3,500kg or less)	7 metres at most

A-frames do not count towards trailer length.

Equipment you must have

Tow bar: it must be type approved for your car. Cars first used before 1 August 1998 do not need a type approved tow bar.
Mirrors: you must be able to see behind you. Fit towing mirrors if the trailer is wider than the rear of your car. You can be fined up to £1,000 and get 3 penalty points if you cannot see properly.
Brakes: a trailer that weighs over 750kg when loaded must have working brakes, plus a breakaway cable or secondary coupling.
Number plate: the trailer must show the same number plate as your car.

Using a vehicle or trailer in a dangerous condition can mean a fine of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 penalty points.

Towing speed limits

Road	Limit when towing
Built-up area	30mph (20mph in Wales)
Single carriageway	50mph
Dual carriageway	60mph
Motorway	60mph

Special cases

Heavier loads: to tow a combination up to 12,000kg MAM, you need a medium-sized lorry and trailer licence (category C1+E). This means getting a provisional entitlement and passing a theory test and a driving test.
American caravans and trailers: these do not always meet European safety regulations. Check the rules on brakes and couplings before you use one in the UK.

Example

Ali passed his test in 2005. He wants to tow a caravan with a MAM of 1,400kg. His licence lets him tow a trailer up to 3,500kg, so the licence is fine. He must still check his car's handbook for its towing limit and gross train weight. The caravan is over 750kg, so it must have working brakes and a breakaway cable.

If you live in Wales or Northern Ireland

In Wales, the limit in built-up areas is 20mph, including when towing. If you live in Northern Ireland, check nidirect for the rules that apply to your licence.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Check what you can tow

Common questions

Do I need to pass a test to tow a caravan?

No. If you passed your car test on or after 1 January 1997 you can tow a trailer up to 3,500kg without an extra test, within your car's limits.

What is the speed limit when towing?

When towing, the limit is 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways.

Does my trailer need brakes?

Yes, if it weighs over 750kg when loaded. It also needs a breakaway cable or secondary coupling.

Official sources

1.Towing with a car: what you can tow (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/towing-with-car
2.Towing weight and width limits (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/weight-and-width-limits
3.Trailers, caravans and towing equipment (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/trailer-and-towing-equipment
4.Speed limits (GOV.UK)www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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