Discussion
I'm no expert, but I think the situation is that when a car is being towed (outside of emergency recovery situations) it is treated as a trailor. That implies that it has to comply with the regulations for trailors - max weight limitations versus towing car, braked if it is over the threshold etc. I *think* this means it doesn't need to be taxed, insured or MOT-worthy.
If it were me, I'd do this:
1. Insure it. Worst thing you can do is drive it without insurance.
2. Drive it directly to the garage where it will be MOTed.
3. Now tax it.
Or, if you don't want to put it on the road, simply get a recovery firm to move it on their wagon, thus making it just another load.
>> Edited by CommanderJameson on Sunday 9th October 07:37
1. Insure it. Worst thing you can do is drive it without insurance.
2. Drive it directly to the garage where it will be MOTed.
3. Now tax it.
Or, if you don't want to put it on the road, simply get a recovery firm to move it on their wagon, thus making it just another load.
>> Edited by CommanderJameson on Sunday 9th October 07:37
jasandjules said:
Ta, just wanted it confirmed, as I was told again that it is fine to tow it by someone who should know, but if everyone here is convinced I can't !!
Sorry, I didn't mean to butt into your request for a second opinion.
The answers you are possibly looking for are;
- Is it against the law? - Yes.
- Am I likely to get stopped and questioned about it - No, but chances varying proportionally to the distance travelled (obviously).
- If I am stopped what is likely to happen to me? - probably most likely to be warned by trafpol, depending on condition of vehicle, and quality of tow.
- What's the worst scenario? Probably 3-6 points and car impounded until removed legally. £300-£500 fine plus £100-£150 for recovery of vehicle from pound.
Incidentally, by 'towed' I assume you mean with a rigid towbar or A-frame, not a bit of string.
To clarify my earlier reply, I think it could be legal as long as the towed car complies with the regulations for trailors. I think this means:
You would have to use an A-frame towbar or dolly.
The gross train weight would have to be within the limits of the towing car.
The weight of the towed car would have to be within th towing capacity of the towcar.
If the towed car is over the unbraked weight limit (don't remember, but it's quite low perhaps 600Kgs) the towed car must be braked. I've seen an A-frame towbar that claimed to be braked but I couldn't figure out how it worked, I guess it would have had to apply the brakes on the towed car somehow.
To clarify my earlier reply, I think it could be legal as long as the towed car complies with the regulations for trailors. I think this means:
You would have to use an A-frame towbar or dolly.
The gross train weight would have to be within the limits of the towing car.
The weight of the towed car would have to be within th towing capacity of the towcar.
If the towed car is over the unbraked weight limit (don't remember, but it's quite low perhaps 600Kgs) the towed car must be braked. I've seen an A-frame towbar that claimed to be braked but I couldn't figure out how it worked, I guess it would have had to apply the brakes on the towed car somehow.
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