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Towing in the UK and abroad

UK driving licence law has changed in recent years to reflect the fact that caravans, and often the vehicles towing them, are getting bigger and heavier. So you may need to take an extra test to tow a larger caravan. If you passed your driving test before 1st January 1997 you can drive a car and caravan/trailer up to 8,250kg, a motorhome (or minibus) up to 7,500kg and a motorhome with trailer up to 8,250kg.

If you passed after 1st January 1997, you're restricted to a car and caravan/trailer up to 3,500kg, a motorhome up to 3,500kg and a motorhome and trailer up to 4,250kg (where the trailer weighs up to 750kg). If you want to drive a towing outfit that exceeds these limits, you need to pass a Category B+E test. Check what your driving licence entitles you to drive.

Your car

There are laws about your tow hitch too. If your car was registered before 1st August 1998, you can use a towbar tested to BS AU 114b, but on younger cars the towbar must meet the EU 94/20 directive.

If you're towing, there must be a visible or audible signal in the car that warns if the caravan or trailer indicators are not flashing at the correct speed: 60 - 120 flashes per minute. You should check the electrics to ensure tail, fog and brake lights are working correctly too.

You're not required by UK law to have towing mirrors, but you must have an offside exterior mirror and an interior mirror. If the interior mirror doesn't give you a view of the road (because the caravan is in the way), then you must have a nearside exterior mirror too. Spain is one of the few European countries that insists on extending or towing mirrors, but since you're also driving on the 'other' side of the road, you'd probably want to use them anyway.

Speed limits for towing

In the UK, the speed limits for cars towing caravans and trailers are 30mph in built-up areas, 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways. Towing speed limits in Europe vary, so make sure you're familiar with the limits in the countries you'll be visiting. Also make sure you're carrying all the right documentation and equipment for the tow vehicle and all drivers; see our Driving in Europe page. Remember the mandatory spare bulb set must include bulbs for your caravan too.

When you're on a ferry, in the Channel Tunnel or in any road tunnels, your caravan's gas supply must be turned off - although for safety's sake it should always be turned off when you're on the move.

 

	Caravan clubs and associations

	Towing safety tips

	Insuring your caravan or trailer