Licence Rules First Time Tow! You are now legal to tow

1. Licence Rules FIRST TIME TOW

It’s passed you are legal to tow (No more tests as of 16th Dec 2021).

But are you really feeling confident.

Let us help you.

Drive safe – tow safe – keep your trailer/caravan safe.

Uncouple – Recouple – On the road driving.

legal to tow

AWARE

Changes to the B + E testing H + S been relaid in parliament.

Legislation has now been passed and have been brought into force as from 16th December 2021.

This means for car drivers towing a trailer, drivers who passed their driving test from 1st January 1997, are allowed to tow trailers up to 3.500 (mam) maximum authorised mass without passing an additional car/trailer test.

On the 20th September 2021 DVSA stopped all B + E car trailer (not a good thing for road safety in the UK).

Driver training schools lost their work overnight with no test – it is so important to have driving trailer training and be responsible for health and safety at work policy.

 

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE 

Some insurers asking for proof of attendance.

Bring – Use your own trailer/ caravan.

DanHIRE Trailers do not supply tow vehicle/ trailer.

 

TOWING AND USING A TRAILER

Be SAFE – You are responsible.

S – Service has the trailer been serviced?

A – Air in tyres – check pressure – Tread deputy and overall conditioner.

F – Fit breakaway cable or safety chain. Check all electrical connections.

E – Examine – check all lights mirrors. Load and weight limits. Check and test jockey wheel.

With no MOT Test required on all types trailers it is so important to have trailers (caravans) in good working order .

 

DRIVING LICENCE CHANGES

DVLA will update affected licence records.
https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow

The car car and trailer (B + E ) will be added to the driving licence when a new photo card driving licence is issued.

All car drivers wishing to tow a trailer for leisure or business are encouraged to undertake voluntary training.

DanHIRE trailers and towbars are pleased to work with NTTA the trailer industry and training providers.

An accreditation scheme will fully be launched in 2022.

DanHIRE trailers are NTTA accredited quality assured centre.

Contact us:

See more: Trailer Laws

Car towing weight and width limits

2. Car towing weight and width limits

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow

Many people get confused on what they can tow…

And never really know how to work out the correct weights
So easy guide:
GROSS TRAIN WEIGHT – 5000KG (GTW)
GROSS VEHICLE  WEIGHT – 3000KG (GVW)
MAX TOWING CAPACITY – 2000KG
Subtract  from the VIN PLATE Gross Vehicle Weight  from Gross Train Weight
This will be the absolute maximum weight your vehicle and tow…
Please be aware
Towing above this weight will endanger your life and lives of others and can lead to  expensive fines and points added to licence.
GROSS  TRAIN WEIGHT is the total weight figure of the vehicle and trailer added together…

Most cars have a maximum weight of what 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.

If your VIN plate doesn’t list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.

 

Width and length

The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. The maximum length is 7 metres for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500 kilograms)

See more: Trailer Laws

Towing equipment

3. Towing equipment

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow

The equipment you use with your trailer or caravan must meet certain safety standards.

 

Towing bars

If you get a tow bar for your car, it needs to be ‘type approved’. This means it meets EU regulations and is designed for your car.

A type-approved tow bar will have a label with an approval number and details of the vehicles it’s approved for.

If your car was first used before 1 August 1998, your tow bar doesn’t need to be type-approved.

 

Towing mirrors

You must have an adequate view of the road behind you. If your caravan or trailer is wider than the rear of the towing vehicle, you may need to fit suitable towing mirrors.

If you tow without proper towing mirrors you can be:

  • prosecuted by the police
  • given 3 points on your licence
  • fined up to £1,000

Trailer brakes

Any trailer weighing over 750 kilograms, including its load, must have a working brake system.

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

Any brakes on a trailer or caravan must be in good working order.

 

Number plates

You must display the same number plate as your towing car on the trailer. If you tow more than one trailer, fix the number plate to the trailer at the back.

 

A-frames and dollies

If you attach an A-frame to a car in order to tow it with a larger vehicle, the car plus A-frame counts as a trailer.

If you use a dolly to tow a broken-down vehicle, the dolly counts as a trailer.

In both cases the usual safety regulations for trailers apply.

Read more information in the factsheet about ‘A’ frames and dollies’

See more: Trailer Laws

Towing an American caravan or trailer

4. Towing an American caravan or trailer

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow

American trailers and caravans don’t always meet European safety regulations.

If you want to use an American caravan or trailer in the UK or the EU, you must first check that it’s legal.

Read more information in the factsheet ‘American caravan/trailer brakes and couplign up to 3500 kg maximum laden weight’

See more: Trailer Laws

NO MORE B+E TRAILER TESTS

B+E Driving Test

NO MORE B+E TRAILER TESTS

With the Government now stopping the BE Tests

Please read following details:


TESTS FROM 20 SEPTEMBER 2021

Your Car and Trailer Test WILL NOT GO AHEAD if it was due to take place on or after 20th September 2021.

If you booked the Test yourself DVSA will automatically cancel it for you.

YOU WILL GET A FULL REFUND WITHIN 5 WORKING DAYS

If you instructor booked your test for you then talk to them.

YOU CANNOT GET  A REFUND OR COMPENSATION FOR ANY TRAINING YOU HAVE TAKEN TO HELP YOU PREPARE.

If you have already PASSED A CAR TEST YOU CANNOT GET A REFUND FOR TRAINING OR REFUNBD FOR THE TEST FEE.

This published by DVSA on 10th September 2021

BEFORE 20th September your test will go ahead.

You can cancel the test. If instructor booked it speak to them.

UP TO AND INCLUDING 14th SEPTEMBER you will need to contact DVSA to claim your refund.

From 15th September to Sunday 19th September YOU WILL AUTOMATICALLY GET A FULL REFUND if you CANCEL TEST.

MORE TO COME … THIS IS BEFORE THE NEW LAWS COME IN THE AUTUMN 2021.

OUR DANHIRE TRAILERS NEWSLETTER: WAVENEY TOWING AND LEISURE COMING SOON WITH MORE INFO!  


It is STILL so important we all think of road safety and still invest in training to tow trailers and caravans.

Don’t forget for example horses are very expensive so it really is necessary to drive safely when towing them about.

Please ask us and how you can be directed to Care when Towing trailer training courses.

We support Towsafe4freddie.

We offer FREE SAFETY CHECKS ON ALL TRAILERS 

Avoid VOSA Trailer fines, with regular services by DanHIRE

Avoid VOSA Trailer fines!

Taking just 5 minutes of your time to read this could save you money & points on your licence.

WARNING to all Trailer owners VOSA could stop and check you Trailer ANYTIME, always make sure its in a roadworthy condition, if not the list below will show how costly it can be are

No brake snag wire : 3 points £60 fine 

Bold-worn tyres : 3 points £60 fine per tyre 

No brakes on trailer : Trailer seized from you (unless trailer is of spec) 

Lights out on trailer : Trailer seized from you 

Wrong number plate : 3 points £60 fine 

No number Plate : £60 fine

And even in the worse case, if an accident occurred with an un-road worthy trailer invalid insurance!

For what it would cost to have your trailer serviced with DanHIRE Trailers every 12 months or 6000 miles as recommended it would not be cost-effective not to bring your trailer to us.

Many thanks for taking the time to read this and I hope to hear from you soon

Mark Daniels

DANHIRE TRAILER SALES & TOWBARS LIMITED

Bungay Suffolk