What can I drive/tow
Discussion
https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules
Just for info a 3.5T vehicle can't actually hold that much. Amount we've taken to the weighbridge that are massively overweight with not that much on board.
Just for info a 3.5T vehicle can't actually hold that much. Amount we've taken to the weighbridge that are massively overweight with not that much on board.
TheK1981 said:
A bit light on what categories you already have OP, are you able to show a copy of the back of your licence? - Make sure you blank out any personal details.
I passed in 1999, but ive not got towing on my licence so I would need to pass a test first
When did you last renew it?I passed in 1999, but ive not got towing on my licence so I would need to pass a test first
They didn't force an update of the physical card when they changed the B+E rules, so what's on the back of it may not reflect your actual allowance.
InitialDave said:
TheK1981 said:
A bit light on what categories you already have OP, are you able to show a copy of the back of your licence? - Make sure you blank out any personal details.
I passed in 1999, but ive not got towing on my licence so I would need to pass a test first
When did you last renew it?I passed in 1999, but ive not got towing on my licence so I would need to pass a test first
They didn't force an update of the physical card when they changed the B+E rules, so what's on the back of it may not reflect your actual allowance.
You can drive:
Vehicles up to 3,500 kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM). You can drive a vehicle with a MAM of 3,500 kg with a trailer. The size of the trailer depends on the BE 'valid from' date shown on the licence. If the date is before 19 January 2013 can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of the vehicle. If on or after 19 January 2013 can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg within the towing limits of the vehicle
Hi Elise2000.
As you passed your driving test after 1st Jan 1997 you can drive a vehicle up to a maximum 3500Kg (MAM). You are also permitted to drive a vehicle with a trailer ..... however the the combined weight of the the vehicle AND trailer can NOT exceed 3,500Kg. (MAM).
Therefore you cannot legally drive the sort of vehicle you have in mind with a trailer behind (with them both loaded) as you will be well over the MAM limit on your licence ...... unless of course you're moving bags of air.
In reality the weight of an empty Luton style bodied van plus trailer (both empty) will likely be greater than 3500Kg.
As you passed your driving test after 1st Jan 1997 you can drive a vehicle up to a maximum 3500Kg (MAM). You are also permitted to drive a vehicle with a trailer ..... however the the combined weight of the the vehicle AND trailer can NOT exceed 3,500Kg. (MAM).
Therefore you cannot legally drive the sort of vehicle you have in mind with a trailer behind (with them both loaded) as you will be well over the MAM limit on your licence ...... unless of course you're moving bags of air.
In reality the weight of an empty Luton style bodied van plus trailer (both empty) will likely be greater than 3500Kg.
Steve Dean said:
Hi Elise2000.
As you passed your driving test after 1st Jan 1997 you can drive a vehicle up to a maximum 3500Kg (MAM). You are also permitted to drive a vehicle with a trailer ..... however the the combined weight of the the vehicle AND trailer can NOT exceed 3,500Kg. (MAM).
Are you sure..?As you passed your driving test after 1st Jan 1997 you can drive a vehicle up to a maximum 3500Kg (MAM). You are also permitted to drive a vehicle with a trailer ..... however the the combined weight of the the vehicle AND trailer can NOT exceed 3,500Kg. (MAM).
OP, they changed the towing rules during covid. Before that you had to take an extra test. Now, you can drive a van and a tow trailer up to 7t (3.5t towing 3.5t).
Tried and tested - I got pulled over in 2014 before the rules changed and got 6 points for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. I also got pulled over 3 months ago but was fine.
It is important to note that your photo licence needs updating to reflect the change on the back of the card, especially if you’re venturing out of the U.K. Trailers need separate registration (as well as dispaying the tow car reg) on the continent but I believe if it’s for personal use you don’t need to register it.
Also , not many vans can tow the full 3.5t , smaller vans like the transit custom have a smaller towing capacity), so you’re more likely to be limited by the van than by your licence.
My 2021 transit Luton weighs approx 2650kg empty so can carry a little under a ton legally.
Tried and tested - I got pulled over in 2014 before the rules changed and got 6 points for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. I also got pulled over 3 months ago but was fine.
It is important to note that your photo licence needs updating to reflect the change on the back of the card, especially if you’re venturing out of the U.K. Trailers need separate registration (as well as dispaying the tow car reg) on the continent but I believe if it’s for personal use you don’t need to register it.
Also , not many vans can tow the full 3.5t , smaller vans like the transit custom have a smaller towing capacity), so you’re more likely to be limited by the van than by your licence.
My 2021 transit Luton weighs approx 2650kg empty so can carry a little under a ton legally.
edd1e said:
Tried and tested - I got pulled over in 2014 before the rules changed and got 6 points for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. I also got pulled over 3 months ago but was fine.
That's because the first time, you - like everyone who passed their test prior to 1997 - hadn't taken a separate towing test, and so for you to try to tow a large trailer was definitely a major problem and you would certainly have killed multiple busloads of schoolkids.Whereas the second time, you - like everyone who passed their test prior to 1997 - hadn't taken a separate towing test, and so for you to try to tow a large trailer was definitely completely safe and not a problem at all.
Category BE
You can drive a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500kg with a trailer.
The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on your licence. If the date is:
--- before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of the vehicle
--- on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg within the towing limits of the vehicle
You can drive a vehicle with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500kg with a trailer.
The size of the trailer depends on the BE ‘valid from’ date shown on your licence. If the date is:
--- before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of the vehicle
--- on or after 19 January 2013, you can tow a trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500kg within the towing limits of the vehicle
edd1e said:
OP, they changed the towing rules during covid. Before that you had to take an extra test. Now, you can drive a van and a tow trailer up to 7t (3.5t towing 3.5t).
Tried and tested - I got pulled over in 2014 before the rules changed and got 6 points for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. I also got pulled over 3 months ago but was fine.
[b]It is important to note that your photo licence needs updating to reflect the change on the back of the card[/], especially if you’re venturing out of the U.K. Trailers need separate registration (as well as dispaying the tow car reg) on the continent but I believe if it’s for personal use you don’t need to register it.
Also , not many vans can tow the full 3.5t , smaller vans like the transit custom have a smaller towing capacity), so you’re more likely to be limited by the van than by your licence.
My 2021 transit Luton weighs approx 2650kg empty so can carry a little under a ton legally.
Correct, apart from the bit in bold. The entitlement is automatically added and will show on your card next time you renew it. You do not have to do so immediately in order to use it though.Tried and tested - I got pulled over in 2014 before the rules changed and got 6 points for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. I also got pulled over 3 months ago but was fine.
[b]It is important to note that your photo licence needs updating to reflect the change on the back of the card[/], especially if you’re venturing out of the U.K. Trailers need separate registration (as well as dispaying the tow car reg) on the continent but I believe if it’s for personal use you don’t need to register it.
Also , not many vans can tow the full 3.5t , smaller vans like the transit custom have a smaller towing capacity), so you’re more likely to be limited by the van than by your licence.
My 2021 transit Luton weighs approx 2650kg empty so can carry a little under a ton legally.
It does of course make sense to renew it if you are using the towing entitlement outside the UK though.
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