Towing rules and regulations
When it comes to towing caravans and trailers, there are several sets of rules, regulations, and laws to be aware of. These affect what you can tow, how you can tow them, and the precautions you need to take when doing so.
To make sure that you’re following the rules, we’ve compiled everything you need to know.
What do I need to have?
When it comes to features and fixtures, there are a few things that your car and caravan need to have to abide by the law.
Breakaway cable – all caravans manufactured after 1982 must have a correctly-fitted breakaway cable. This safety feature engages the caravan’s brakes if it becomes detached from your car.
Number plates – your caravan must have an illuminated rear number plate that matches the registration of your towing vehicle.
Mirrors - you must be able to see 4 metres either side of your caravan when towing, with no blind spots. You’ll usually need mirror extensions to achieve this.
Lights - all caravans and trailers must have two red triangle reflectors, as well as working sidelights, brake lights, and flashing indicators.
Do I need a towing licence?
A standard driving licence gives you the ability to tow a load, but the amount you can tow will depend on the weight of your car and trailer, and when you passed your driving test.
You’ll need to know your car’s maximum towing capacity – how much it can safely tow – and your caravan’s maximum authorised mass, or MAM – the maximum that a car or caravan can weigh when it’s fully loaded.
To find your car’s towing capacity, look in your owner’s manual or on your VIN plate. There, you’ll find the MAM, which is also sometimes called the gross vehicle weight, and the gross train weight - that’s the maximum amount that the car and trailer can weigh combined.
To calculate the towing capacity, you’ll need to subtract your car’s MAM from the gross train weight. This towing capacity tells you the maximum weight that your car can safely pull, and the weight of your loaded caravan mustn’t exceed this.
You can find your caravan’s MAM in the owner’s handbook, or on the weight plate found near the door frame.
- If you passed your test before 1st January 1997, you can tow a caravan or trailer as long as the combined weight is under 8250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).
- If you passed after 1st January 1997, you can tow a caravan or trailer as long as the combined weight is under 3500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).
For more details, you can read the government guidance here.
Do caravans need an MOT or insurance?
Caravans don’t undergo an MOT test like a car would, but you do need to make sure that your van is in safe, legal, and road-worthy condition. This includes things like meeting the minimum legal tyre tread depth, a legal licence plate, and working lights.
There is no legal requirement for a caravan to have insurance. However, ensuring you have at least third-party cover on your car insurance can cover any damage if you have an accident involving another road user while towing.
Driving with a caravan
What’s the speed limit when towing a caravan?
On normal roads, you must stick to the speed limit when towing a caravan.
On roads with national speed limits, you must drive 10mph below the limit, meaning 50mph on single carriageways, 60mph on dual carriageways, and 60mph on motorways.
When driving on a motorway with three or more lanes, you can’t drive in the outside lane whilst towing your caravan.
Are passengers allowed to ride in a caravan while it’s being towed?
No, it’s illegal to tow a caravan with anyone inside. It’s also extremely dangerous - caravans are not designed to withstand serious impact and having passengers inside can affect the weight distribution and safety of your van.
It is not illegal for pets to ride in a caravan whilst it’s being towed, but this is also dangerous for the same reasons so we would advise that pets stay in the car.