Trailer Law

What you can tow

The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test.


Licences issued from 1 January 1997


If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997 you can:


  • drive a car or van up to 3,500kg maximum authorised mass (MAM) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM

 

  • tow a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg



MAM is the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded.



You have to pass the car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.

 

Licences issued before 1 January 1997
 

If you passed your car test before 1 January 1997 you’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg MAM.

 

View your driving licence information to check.

 

You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
 

Towing weight

Trailer weights

 

Most cars have a maximum weight they can tow. It’s usually listed in the handbook or specification sheet.


Alternatively the vehicle’s ‘gross train weight’ may be listed on the vehicle identification number (VIN) plate on the car. This is normally under the bonnet or inside the driver’s door.


The gross train weight is the weight of the fully-loaded car plus fully-loaded trailer and must not be exceeded.


Trailer brakes

Your trailer must have a working brake system if it weighs over 750kg when it’s loaded.


Some smaller trailers also have brakes, but these are optional.


Any brakes must be in good working order.

 

You must use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling in case the trailer becomes detached from your car.