Towing with a hire van in the UK is allowed when the licence you hold, the weights involved and the vehicle's own limits all permit it. The main rules come from the licence categories described by nidirect, and they set the practical ceiling for any van and trailer combination.
Your driving licence sets the ceiling
The categories printed on your driving licence decide what you can tow. Drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 may keep their earlier entitlement to tow trailers, unless their licence has been restricted. Under that older entitlement, holders of C1+E are generally covered for a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM.
Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1 January 1997 but before 19 January 2013 need to pass a further driving test to gain B+E entitlement, which covers a car and trailer combination. Those who passed the B+E test on or after 19 January 2013 are restricted to a trailer not heavier than 3,500kg MAM, with the shared MAM of the car and trailer not more than 7,000kg.
If you need to tow a trailer heavier than 3,500kg with a category B vehicle, nidirect states that you will need to pass additional tests for category C1+E. Because the rules depend on the date you first passed, check the category entries on your licence before you agree to tow anything.
Trailer weight, MAM and combined weight
The MAM is the maximum weight allowed, also known as the gross vehicle weight, and it applies to both the vehicle and the trailer. A lighter trailer is the simplest case. A trailer of up to 750kg MAM can be coupled if the two together do not exceed 4,250kg MAM, so the combined figure matters as much as the trailer's own rating.
Manufacturers set their own limit. Vehicle manufacturers normally recommend a maximum weight of trailer proper to their vehicle. The figure is usually found in the vehicle's handbook or from the dealer, so look it up before loading.
There is one narrow exception. Anyone with a category B licence may tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would otherwise cause danger or obstruction to other road users. This is an exception for recovery in difficult circumstances, not a general permission to tow heavier loads.
Roadworthiness and loading checks
Check that both your vehicle and your trailer are roadworthy before you set off, and do not overload either of them.
- Check that the tyres on both the van and the trailer are legal.
- Confirm that the trailer braking system is in full working order.
- Make sure all trailer lights work correctly before leaving.
- Distribute heavy items evenly over the axles, so the load is not front or rear heavy.
- Ensure there is a downward load on the tow ball, and do not exceed the manufacturer's recommended weight or tow ball load.
Secure the load properly, and recheck it after the first stop, because items can shift once the trailer is moving.
Before you collect the van
Check the paperwork as well as the licence. Ask the hire company, in writing, whether towing is permitted under the hire agreement and whether the van is fitted with a tow bar. A van that looks suitable is not automatically cleared for towing, so do not rely on assumptions made at the counter.
- Read your licence categories and confirm they match the trailer and combined weight.
- Find the van's maximum trailer weight in its handbook or from the hire company.
- Confirm the trailer's MAM and the combined figure before you leave the depot.
- Carry out the checks on tyres, brakes, lights and loading.
If you are arranging a van for a trailer, you can compare local options through van hire in London or van hire in Enfield. For vehicles set up for heavier towing, browse specialist vehicle hire.
What drives the cost
Towing costs vary widely, so this article does not publish any figure. The main factors are the length of hire, the mileage allowance, the insurance excess and deposit terms, whether a tow bar is fitted or must be arranged, and the depot where you collect and return the van. Collection and delivery arrangements can also change the total.
Confirm every figure directly with the hire company or the council before you commit, and ask for the full cost in writing, including any charges that apply if the van is returned late or in a different condition.
Check the towing terms and the licence and weight rules above before you drive away.
