You can tow with a car driving licence, but the weight you can legally tow depends on when you got your licence and on the vehicle's towing limits.
What your car licence lets you tow
The starting point is your licence. According to GOV.UK, 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.
For drivers who passed their test before 1 January 1997, GOV.UK states that you can usually drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined weight of up to 8,250kg MAM. For drivers who passed on or after 1 January 1997, GOV.UK says you can tow a trailer up to 3,500kg MAM. You can tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM. The Highway Code adds a clear rule on this point: as a driver you MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits.
Note the terms. MAM means maximum authorised mass, the fully loaded weight of the trailer. GOV.UK advises that you'll need to know the weight of both the vehicle and trailer - also known as the 'maximum authorised mass' (MAM). Check your own entitlement using your driving licence information on GOV.UK.
Your car's limits matter as much as your licence
A licence entitlement does not override the vehicle. The Highway Code says that you should not tow a weight greater than that recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle . The key figures are on the vehicle's documents. In practice, check the handbook or plate for the gross train weight and towing limit before you hire or buy a trailer.
Safety checks the law requires
The Highway Code says that you MUST ensure that both your vehicle and your trailer are in a roadworthy condition. This includes checking that all tyres are legal, the trailer braking system is in full working order and all trailer lights are working correctly . It also states that your trailer MUST be fitted with a secondary coupling device, such as a safety chain .
Northern Ireland's official guidance is similar. Before a journey, check that the trailer is correctly hitched up with the breakaway cable attached, or secondary coupling head fully engaged and locked , and that it has lights and indicators which are connected and working correctly .
Use this checklist before every trip:
- Confirm the trailer is within your car's towing limit and your licence entitlement.
- Check the trailer is coupled to the towball and the secondary coupling is attached.
- Check all lights, indicators and brake lights work.
- Check the correct number plate is fitted to the trailer.
- Check the tyres, including the spare, and confirm the nose weight is correct.
- Fit towing mirrors if your trailer or load is wider than the towing vehicle. The Highway Code says towing mirrors MUST be used if your vehicle is narrower than your trailer or load.
Load and driving rules
The load matters as well as the weight. The Highway Code says you MUST secure your load and it MUST NOT stick out dangerously , and that you should distribute the weight in your caravan or trailer evenly with heavy items over the axle(s) and ensure a downward load on the tow ball. Your stopping distance also changes, as the Highway Code notes that your stopping distance may increase significantly when towing .
Northern Ireland guidance notes that the maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. Some speed limits are lower when towing, so check the rules for your route. Where you plan to tow a specific type of trailer, such as a trailer hire in London or a longer-distance hire from trailer hire in Maidstone, make sure the trailer's loaded weight and your car's limits both fit before you collect it.
When you need more than a car licence
Heavier combinations need a higher licence category, such as category B+E, or a C1+E licence for medium-sized lorries. The Highway Code notes that if you passed your car test on or after 1 January 1997, you are restricted on the weight of trailer you can tow . If you are unsure whether your combination is legal, check your licence and vehicle handbook for the limits.
Once you know your limits, you can look for trailers that fit. Trailer hire in Daventry is one example of a local search where you can compare what each firm has in stock. Always confirm the trailer's MAM, its condition and any hire terms directly with the company or dealer, as rates and conditions vary between providers.
GetBrent lists trailer hire companies and trailer dealers near you, so you can check what each one has, compare the details and contact them direct before you commit to a hire or purchase.
