TOWING & THE LAW

Towing & The Law

CHANGES TO B+E TESTING AND INCOMING CHANGES

*** IMPORTANT NOTICE ***

Due too the DVSA and DFT friday 10th september 2021 ALL B+E(Towing) tests nationwide are cancelled as of 20th September 2021.

The announcement quotes:

"That changes to the law maybe implemented late autumn time"

Current UK laws applies surrounding towing. Current law now requires supervised driving of the drive who does not have the B+E entitlment on their licence.

Specifications for supervision is as follows:

The combined mam is less than 3500kg
Aged over 21 with a full UK driving license and has held a B+E towing licence for 3 years or more
L plates MUST clearly be displayed on vehicle and trailer

Until the government changes the law, current restrictions apply.

Failure to comply with the currently legal regulations:

You can be fined up to £1,000, be banned from driving and get up to 6 penalty points on your driving licence if you tow anything heavier before the law changes.

You can be fined up to £5,000, be banned from driving and get 3-6 penalty points on your license for not having valid insurance. Further punishment can also include a prolonged period of disqualification, community service and even imprisonment for up to six months.

For further information please click this link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021

Current UK law on towing subject to update in the future

Car licenses obtained on or after January 19th 2013

Drivers who pass their Car (Category B) test on or after 19th January 2013 have futher restrictions to their license surrounding towing. Individuals that pass their test on, or after this date are restricted to towing small trailers weighing no more than 750kg. And are only able to tow trailers weighing more than 750kg when the combined weight of the towing vehicle and the trailer is not more than a total mass of 3.5 tonnes.

More information about towing and the law

Car licences obtained on or after 1st January 1997

Drivers who passed their car (Category B) test on or after 1st January 1997 are restricted to drive a vehicle upto 3.5 tonnes Maximum allowed mass (MAM) towing a trailer of upto 750 kgs MAM. With a combined weight of no more than 4.25 tonnes in total. You are also able to tow a trailer over 750 kg MAM as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle. This is upto a maximum combined weight of 3.5 tonnes in total.

More information about towing and the law

Car licences obtained before 1st January 1997

All drivers who passed a car (Category B) test before 1st January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 7.25 tonnes maximum authorised mass (MAM). They also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750 kgs maximum authorised mass ( MAM).

More information about towing and the law

Private and Corporate training available upon request

DSVA Approved Instructors

✓ Trailer Safety Training
✓ Half Day Courses
✓ Qualified Instructor's
✓ Car & Trailer Provided

Camping and Caravanning Club
National Trailer and Towing Association

Get in touch

Contact Us

First Name:

Last Name:

Address:

Postcode

Email:

Phone:

Do you need to tow for work purposes or private/individual use?

If you need to tow for recreational puposes or work purposes is it for yourself, or do you have employees that need the licence? if so please specify the number of people for training.

Have you any on road towing experience with a twin axel braked trailer?

Do you have any off-road manouvering/coupling experience with a twin axle braked trailer? (‘small tip run trailers’ don’t qualify in terms of experience as these aren’t visible when towing, have low weight/goods capacity, and handle differently when manoeuvring.)

Any further information?

Consent to the Bubble Towing Privacy Policy