Whether you’re going camping with a caravan for the first time, need a trailer to move furniture around or want to take up boating, it can be useful to know how to tow.
If you’ve never towed before, or it’s been a while, it’s a good idea to go over the basics of what to think about when towing a trailer.
Am I legally allowed to tow a trailer?
Anyone who has a full UK driving licence (not a provisional licence) can tow a trailer behind their vehicle. However, the specifics of what sort of trailer you’re allowed to tow get a bit confusing, because the trailer weight you’re qualified to tow up to depends on when you passed your test.
If you passed before 1997, you can tow a combined weight (vehicle and trailer) of up to 8,250kg. At this point, the rules changed, so if you passed after 1 January 1997, you are only permitted to tow a combined weight of up to 3,500kg.
The law changed again in 2021 to allow more drivers to tow without extra training. When you update your driving licence, the category ‘BE’ will automatically be filled in. Even if your current licence doesn’t show this yet, you can still legally tow a trailer.
If you only have a provisional licence, you are not allowed to tow a trailer at all.
Do I need to go on a towing course?
Not anymore. The law no longer requires drivers to take a car-and-trailer driving test, but these courses are still available. If you’re not confident about towing or you’d like a refresher, it can be helpful to get professional training to make sure you’re comfortable and safe towing on the road (or off it!).
What sort of trailer can I tow?
Anything. If your car can tow, you can hook up a caravan, trailer or horse box – as long as it fits within the maximum allowable dimensions (7m long by 2.55m wide) and the weight doesn’t exceed your combined limit, you’re good to go.
A term often used to work out how much you can tow is the Maximum Allowable Mass (MAM). It’s the maximum weight the vehicle and trailer combined can be when they are both loaded, which includes passengers and luggage. It’s important that this figure is not exceeded, as this is the maximum the vehicle is rated to safely tow.
Can my car tow a trailer?
Not every car can tow a trailer. Some vehicles are not rated for towing and therefore can’t legally be fitted with a tow bar. Most can, however, although you won’t get a tow bar as standard equipment. Each car will also be rated for a maximum towing weight.
Some manufacturers offer a retractable tow bar as a factory-fitted option, while others require an aftermarket bar. Your local dealer will be happy to arrange this for you, or there are plenty of specialist centres that can fit a tow bar to your car.
When adding a tow bar to your car, it must be ‘type approved’. This means it meets the relevant UK/EU regulations and is suitable for the vehicle.
The next task is to determine the vehicle’s rated towing capacity. In the UK, trailers must be fitted with their own brakes if they weigh more than 750kg. Cars have different towing capacities for braked and unbraked trailers.
Generally speaking, smaller/lighter cars will have lower towing ratings than bigger/heavier cars. That sounds obvious, as a larger car will handle the extra weight of a trailer hanging off the back better. However, it’s not always that simple, and there are other technical factors that determine a car’s maximum towing weight.
A vehicle’s towing capabilities are usually listed in the car’s handbook. Otherwise, this information could be found on the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate or the manufacturer’s website. You mustn’t exceed the trailer weight limit prescribed for your vehicle.
If towing figures are not shown in these locations, this could be an indication that the vehicle is not suitable for towing. Once again, a dealer should be able to help you get the answers you need.
What about an automatic transmission?
If you’re driving a modern car, you should have no problems towing with an automatic transmission. Most new cars these days are automatics, and plenty of models are no longer available with a manual gearbox anyway, so you may not even have a choice.
With older cars, automatic transmissions used to cause problems for towing, and you may have heard people say that manual gearboxes were much better. This was often due to overheating, or the transmission not being strong enough to cope with the additional load of the trailer.
Some drivers also prefer the precise control of a manual gearbox, using the gears and engine braking to slow the vehicle rather than relying solely on the brakes.
Can you tow with an electric car?
Yes, absolutely. Electric vehicles generate loads of torque, which is what helps you move heavy loads – like a trailer weighing hundreds of kilograms. So they can make excellent towing vehicles.
The sophisticated electronics that regulate electric motors can also be used to help keep your vehicle stable and under control when towing, especially in slippery conditions.
With any car – regardless of power source – a big issue is significantly reduced driving range thanks to the extra weight and drag caused by the trailer. For an EV, that means longer journeys will require more frequent charging stops. Due to the design of most car parks and the placement of charging points, you may need to disconnect the trailer each time you charge the vehicle.
For petrol or diesel cars, there’s a similarly massive impact on your car’s fuel consumption when you tow. But at least an extra fuel stop only takes a few minutes (and you can usually fill up your car with the trailer still attached), so it’s still an extra cost but less of an inconvenience.
How to hook up a trailer
UK law requires the trailer to be fitted with a number plate that matches the towing vehicle (some other countries require trailers to have their own registrations). Connecting a trailer can obscure the car’s number plate, so a duplicate rear plate must be clearly visible on the back of the trailer in the correct yellow colour. You can buy these from any number of number plate retailers for about £25.
The trailer should be loaded with the weight evenly distributed so it handles predictably and doesn’t cause uneven tyre wear. It’s important to check the trailer is in good working order before every journey. This includes checking the rear lights, which should be connected next to the tow bar, so drivers behind you can tell when the brakes are applied.
Caravans tend to be wider than cars, so extended wing mirrors are a legal requirement to minimise blind spots. Thankfully, these are fairly cheap – failing to fit them can mean points on your licence and/or a hefty fine. However, it’s illegal to drive with extended wing mirrors when the vehicle is not towing, so make sure to take them off when you detach the caravan.
How to drive when towing
Different speed limits apply when you’re towing, on single carriageways you should not exceed 50mph and on dual carriageways and motorways the maximum speed is 60mph. This should make it easier to handle the extra weight and aerodynamic impact of your trailer or caravan.
When travelling up or down hills, it’s advisable to use a lower gear to help the car propel the extra weight up the hill or use engine braking to slow the vehicle and trailer down hill.
Wind can significantly affect a trailer, causing it to sway behind the car. To prevent it from swinging out of control, gently slow the vehicle and keep the car straight. Do not attempt to change lanes if the trailer or caravan is not completely under control.
Operating a trailer at low speeds requires strong awareness of your surroundings and of how the trailer and vehicle interact. It may seem counterintuitive, but when backing up with a trailer, the vehicle must reverse in the opposite direction to move the trailer in the desired direction. Once the trailer is moving in the correct direction, the driver can reverse the car normally.
The most important tip is to plan ahead. Anticipate braking and corners well in advance. Be gentle with all your inputs (steering, accelerating, and braking), and keep checking all your mirrors. Because your vehicle is now basically twice as long as normal, you need a lot more space to change lanes or navigate corners.
The WISER checklist for caravan and trailer towing
Safety organisation GEM Motoring Assist has a series of towing tips for drivers, calling it the WISER list.
W for weight
Check the ‘Gross Train Weight’ (the weight of your fully-loaded car plus a fully-loaded trailer) on the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate. It’s an offence to drive the car if you’ve exceeded this weight. Make allowances for limited acceleration and longer stopping distances. With a loaded trailer, you may not stop as quickly as you are used to, so leave plenty of space.
I for insurance
Most car insurance policies cover you for towing a caravan or trailer. However, this will usually only be third party, meaning that if your caravan became detached from the car, you would be covered for injury to other people or damage to their property, but the ‘van would not be covered. Also, ensure you have appropriate breakdown cover. Most recovery companies won’t take a trailer unless it is specified in your contract.
S for speed
Speed limits for vehicles towing trailers are lower than you might be used to when you’re not towing. On single-carriageway roads, your maximum speed is 50mph, while on dual carriageways and motorways, the maximum speed is 60mph. There are additional rules for towing; please review them. You must not use the third lane of a three-lane motorway, for example. The penalty is £100 and three points on your driving licence.
E for engine
Consider whether your car is powerful enough to tow a trailer. A good rule of thumb is to check the trailer’s maximum mass or weight. If it’s 85% or less than the total kerb weight of the car, then towing should be fine.
R for reversing
Go slow and steady. The slower you do it, the less likely you are to get into trouble. Find an empty field or car park so you can quietly practice until you are confident. To steer the trailer, you need to move the wheel in the opposite direction to that of a car with no trailer. This can be tricky, but practice makes perfect – the more you do it, the more natural it becomes.
Read more:
- Understanding UK road markings
- Load your roof rack properly or risk a fine
- Focusing on safety: top tips to check your eyesight
This article was originally published in June 2023, and was most recently updated in February 2026.
