Hi can anyone please confirm the train weight ie vehicle and caravan/ trailer that the 2021 change in the towing law allows people who passed their driving test after January 1997 I think ? I am Just checking for my son. I think the train weight vehicle and caravan is a total 3500kg Many thanks for any input .
Towing question please help
- Thread starter JB1
- Start date
You're incorrect - all drivers with a UK car licence get the same* entitlement - a vehicle up to 3500kg and a trailer up to 3500kg, train weight 7000kg.
Note that if towing abroad the BE will need to be on the licence - but for UK only use the BE isn't necessary as it will be added at next licence renewal.
* some older drivers can tow an even heavier trailer but irrelevant for caravans and trailers in practice.
- Mar 12, 2025
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Thank you RogerL for you reply I've looked and looked and never been able to understand the towing regs etc, regarding train waights etc, how simply you put it thank you I passed my test post 1997 so always been confused,
Incidentally I drive a tri axeled 42 foot coach with 55 pax and luggage 18 tonne give or take but not allowed to drive a motorhome over 3500kg.
Another ref that the British government should sort out
Incidentally I drive a tri axeled 42 foot coach with 55 pax and luggage 18 tonne give or take but not allowed to drive a motorhome over 3500kg.
Another ref that the British government should sort out
Have you got C1 on your licence - that's all you need for a motorhome up to 7.5 tonnes.
- Mar 12, 2025
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No I have not, that's my point I can drive a 18 tonne coach but I can't drive a motorhome up to 7.5 tonnes ........
- Jul 15, 2008
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.....yes and you and your son can drive a car + caravan combination weighing up to 7000kgs but are limited 3500kgs for a vehicle without a trailer/ caravan.
e.g.(motorhome )
Your D licence only covers Public Service Vehicles as you know .....lots of ridiculous driving licence rules that don't make much sense out there!
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It seems that passing your car and PSV test after 1997 doesn't give C1 automatically.
Or just look on your licence. The categories you are entitled to drive are listed there.
For some drivers, the BE won't be on the licence until their next renewal - in the mean time they can drive BE (car + trailer) in the UK - but not in EU until it's physically on their licence.
- Oct 3, 2024
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Literally just had this pop up on my google feed -- “Following a change in law in 2021, anyone holding a full driving licence can now tow a caravan as long as the combined maximum authorised mass (MAM) of both the vehicle and the caravan does not exceed 3,500kg, with no additional qualifications. However, since not all caravans fit within this category, be sure to check the weight of your caravan to confirm you are permitted to tow it with a standard licence.
“If you got your driving licence before January 1, 1997, you can tow a larger caravan with a combined vehicle and caravan weight limit of up to 8.25 tonnes MAM, without needing an extra driving qualification."
“If you got your driving licence before January 1, 1997, you can tow a larger caravan with a combined vehicle and caravan weight limit of up to 8.25 tonnes MAM, without needing an extra driving qualification."
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