Towing Information
Understanding what you can legally tow is one of the most important things to get right before buying a caravan, motorhome, or trailer tent. The rules have changed over the years and can be confusing, but the good news is that a law change in December 2021 made things much simpler for most drivers.
We help customers with towing questions every day at our Cradley Heath showroom. Below is a plain-English summary of the current rules, followed by what applied before the change.
The December 2021 rule change
Since 16 December 2021, if you hold a full car driving licence (category B) - regardless of when you passed your test - you can now tow trailers up to 3,500 kg MAM. This covers the vast majority of touring caravans, trailer tents, and folding campers.
DVLA will automatically update your licence record to include category BE. You do not need to contact them; it will be added next time you renew your licence.
In practice, this means most people can tow any caravan or trailer tent we sell without needing an additional driving test. If you are deciding between a trailer tent and a caravan, see our trailer tent vs caravan buyer's guide.
What the rules were before December 2021
The old rules still matter if you are reading older advice or wondering why the separate car-and-trailer test used to exist. Here is what applied depending on when you passed your driving test.
Before 1 January 1997
You were not affected by the pre-2021 restrictions. Drivers who passed before 1997 could already tow vehicle-and-trailer combinations up to 8,250 kg MAM, as well as minibuses with trailers over 750 kg MAM.
Check your driving licence record to confirm your entitlements.
1 Jan 1997 to 18 Jan 2013
You were allowed to tow either:
- A car/van up to 3,500 kg MAM towing a trailer up to 750 kg MAM (4,250 kg total)
- A trailer over 750 kg MAM, as long as it did not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (3,500 kg total)
Anything heavier required a separate car-and-trailer driving test.
From 19 January 2013
You were allowed to tow either:
- A car/van up to 3,500 kg MAM towing a trailer up to 750 kg MAM (4,250 kg total)
- A trailer over 750 kg MAM, as long as the combined MAM of vehicle and trailer did not exceed 3,500 kg
This was the most restrictive category, and the one lifted by the December 2021 change.
Key towing terms explained
MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass)
The maximum weight a vehicle or trailer is allowed to weigh when fully loaded. This is the figure used in towing regulations. You may also see it called GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight).
MTPLM
Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass. The maximum weight your caravan can safely weigh when fully loaded, including all equipment, water, gas, and personal items. Set by the manufacturer and shown on the caravan's weight plate.
GTW (Gross Train Weight)
The total allowable weight of your car plus the trailer plus the load. Found in your car's handbook or on the VIN plate. This determines whether your car can safely tow a specific caravan.
Kerbweight
The weight of your car with a full tank of fuel, all standard equipment, and no passengers or luggage. The widely recommended 85% guideline suggests that your caravan's MTPLM should not exceed 85% of your car's kerbweight, especially if you are new to towing. Experienced towers may tow up to 100%, but you should never exceed the car's maximum braked towing limit.