You can tow a trailer behind a hire van on a standard car licence, but only if the combined weight stays within the limits that apply to your licence. Before you add a trailer to a van booking, check your licence entitlement, the van's weight plate and the trailer's specifications.
What your licence allows
The rules depend mainly on when you passed your car test. Vehicle and trailer hire firms across the UK can help you compare what is available, but the legal limits come from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). This guide covers the rules in Northern Ireland, which differ from those in England, Scotland and Wales.
For drivers who passed their car test before 1 January 1997, the position is more generous. The NI Direct guidance on towing safety states that if you passed a car test before 1 January 1997, you can usually drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes (8,250kg) maximum authorised mass (MAM) or a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
Drivers who passed on or after 1 January 1997 have tighter limits. The same guidance states that with an ordinary category B (Car) licence, you are limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) MAM towing a trailer up to 750kg MAM, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) MAM.
Check the weight plate, not just the licence
Your licence is only half the picture. The van's own limits matter too. In practice, look for the gross train weight on the van's plate or in the hire company's documents before you set off.
Practical checklist before you collect
- Confirm your licence categories on the DVLA's online service, which shows your entitlement and the date you passed your test.
- Find the van's maximum authorised mass and the gross train weight, and ask the hire company to confirm the tow limit for that specific vehicle.
- Check the trailer's weight when fully loaded, not just when empty.
- Measure the trailer width. NI Direct states that the maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres.
- Check the length. NI Direct states that the maximum length is 7 metres for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3.5 tonnes.
- Fit towing mirrors if the trailer is wider than the van. NI Direct advises that if your trailer is wider than the rear of the towing vehicle, you may need to fit suitable towing mirrors.
Safe loading and driving
Weight and size rules are only part of the job. NI Direct also advises that you should properly distribute the weight in your trailer, with heavy items mainly over the axles, so that the tow ball load stays within the manufacturer's recommendation. If the trailer starts swerving or snaking, ease off the accelerator slowly and reduce speed gently until it stops.
Speed limits are different when towing. NI Direct states that unless road signs say otherwise, you must not exceed 30mph in built-up areas, 50mph on single carriageways, and 60mph on dual carriageways or motorways. On a motorway with more than two lanes, caravans and trailers should not be towed in the outside lane unless other lanes are closed.
When the rules are not enough
If you are unsure which category applies to you, the DVLA's online licence check gives the answer. Hire firms can also tell you whether a specific van is rated for towing and whether its tow bar or electrics are suitable.
Once you know what your licence and van allow, you can book with confidence. Use GetBrent to find van and trailer hire companies in London and compare local firms before you contact them directly. Always confirm the exact tow rating and any conditions with the company before you collect the van.
