The legalities of towing another car.

[Huntsman]

Hi

I did a search but no clear answer was forthcoming.

I need to tow a car (about a mile not that the distance matters) that has no tax/mot/insurance, I would like to do it with a rope.

What are the legal requirements for the car being towed?

Ta.

[14-7]

If it's on the road it needs to be insured.

If it is not going to a pre-arranged MOT then it will also need tax.

[Huntsman]

14-7 said:

If it's on the road it needs to be insured.

If it is not going to a pre-arranged MOT then it will also need tax.

Where is that defined in the law? I'm not questioning if you are correct, I'm trying to understand.

I don't have insurance for my dump trailer or a caravan (not that I'd have a caravan, dreadful things)

[mrmr96]

Huntsman said:

I don't have insurance for my dump trailer or a caravan (not that I'd have a caravan, dreadful things)

They are not cars though, they're trailers. Trailers are covered by the towing vehicles insurance.

[toxgobbler]

Put car on a trailer?

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/big...

[Viperz888]

I understand that if any wheels of the car to be towed are touching the ground, it is treated the same as if it was driving itself; it needs insurance, tax, and an MOT (if applicable).
So that covers being towed by a rope, A frames, dollies, etc.

As long as none of the wheels touch the ground (i.e it is on "a proper" trailer, and securely held down), it can be as shed as you like.

There is a wiki on this, very useful info there, if a little long winded.

[Dwight VanDriver]

Huntsman said:

Where is that defined in the law? I'm not questioning if you are correct, I'm trying to understand.

I don't have insurance for my dump trailer or a caravan (not that I'd have a caravan, dreadful things)

Section 185 Road Traffic Act 1988 defines:
motor car,
motor vehicle - mechanically propelled vehicle.

Section 143 Road Traffic Act 1988 requires
Users of motor vehicles to be insured or secured against third-party risks.
In the case of Milstead v Sexton [1964] it was held that a motor vehicle whilst being towed remains a motyor vehicle and must be covered by Iniusrance.

Vehicle Excise and Registration Act 1994
Section 29 makes it an offence to use/keep a mechanically [propelled vehicle on a road.
But:
under Schedule 2 (22) a motor vehicle proceedings to and return from a pre-arranged MOT is exempt from excise duty.

A similar exemption in relation to Test Certificate applies under Motor Vehicles Test Regs.

dvd

[caziques]

So, book it in for an MOT - gets round the MOT and tax.

Still need insurance though.

[R0G]

Putting it on a transporter/trailer is the only way to do this legally as it then becomes the load and not a vehicle

There was a similar thread on this a short time ago

[B16JUS]

Day insurance Approx £25

Book in for a MOT

Tow

[R0G]

B16JUS said:

Day insurance Approx £25

Book in for a MOT

Tow

That only works if the MOT place happens to be in the same direction

[mrmr96]

R0G said:

That only works if the MOT place happens to be in the same direction

Choose one that is.

[Snowboy]

It is illegal to tow car without insurance and tax.
Also, I'm pretty sure ropes are illegal now and you need to use a fixed bar.

That said, if it was me, I might just do it anyway if it's just a mile.

Drive slowly.
Drive sensibly.
Do it during not rush hour.

Alternatively call a local garage and ask how much they would charge.
One of the staff might borrow a recovery vehicle and move it for the cost of fuel and a couple of pints.

[mrmr96]

Snowboy said:

I'm pretty sure ropes are illegal now and you need to use a fixed bar.

What makes you think that?

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

[R0G]

Ropes can be used to tow a vehicle to the nearest place of safety if that broken down vehicle poses a danger

The issues come with towing a vehicle which has no independant working braking system and is over 750 kgs MAM because when being towed it then becomes a trailer and the definition of trailer is any 'vehicle' that is being towed by a 'motor vehicle'

If the brakes do work then it must be road legal and the licence would most likely need to be a B+E due to the total MAM weights involved

[daz3210]

R0G said:

Ropes can be used to tow a vehicle to the nearest place of safety if that broken down vehicle poses a danger

The issues come with towing a vehicle which has no independant working braking system and is over 750 kgs MAM because when being towed it then becomes a trailer and the definition of trailer is any 'vehicle' that is being towed by a 'motor vehicle'

If the brakes do work then it must be road legal and the licence would most likely need to be a B+E due to the total MAM weights involved

Done this to death before, it becomes a trailer, but at the same time remains a vehicle

[R0G]

daz3210 said:

.... at the same time remains a vehicle

Motor vehicle - as that is different from vehicle in the legal definitions

[R1 Indy]

If its only a mile, choose your time wisely, and you are unlikely to get into trouble.

[Huntsman]

R1 Indy said:

If its only a mile, choose your time wisely, and you are unlikely to get into trouble.

Ahem, cough, cough...completed the job last night without incident.

[R0G]

Huntsman said:

Ahem, cough, cough...completed the job last night without incident.

And wee will all assume you did it legally on a trailer .... whistles and walks away.....