In this guide
Most drivers think they know the towing rules. They don’t. I’ve met people who’ve been towing for years without realising their licence didn’t cover the trailer they were pulling every weekend. Others had no idea their speed limit dropped the moment they hitched up. Some didn’t even know they needed brakes on anything over 750kg.
This guide sorts all of that out. Licence rules, weight limits, speed restrictions, the 80/20 and 60/40 rules, tachograph questions, common mistakes – it’s all here.
Background
What Is VOSA and Why Does It Still Matter?
VOSA stands for the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. It merged with other bodies to form the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency – the DVSA – back in 2014. The DVSA now does everything VOSA used to do. Roadside checks, vehicle safety standards, enforcement – all of it.
So why do people still search for VOSA? Because the name stuck. Years of habit don’t disappear overnight. But whether you say VOSA or DVSA, it’s the same organisation setting and enforcing the rules you need to follow on UK roads.
What Are the New Towing Laws in the UK 2026?
There are no brand new towing laws in 2026. The last big change came in December 2021, and it was a significant one.
Before that date, drivers who passed their test after 1997 had to take a separate B+E test before they could legally tow trailers over 750kg. Millions of people were towing without realising they didn’t have the right entitlement. The 2021 rule change fixed that.
That change still stands in 2026. The rules are more relaxed – the enforcement isn’t.
Key 2021 Change – Still in Force
Since December 2021, all UK Category B licence holders can tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM without a separate B+E test. This applies to drivers who passed their test after 1st January 1997.
Licence Requirements for Towing in the UK
The key question is when you passed your driving test.
| Test Passed | What You Can Tow | Licence Needed | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Before 1 Jan 1997 | Up to 8,250kg combined train weight | Standard Category B | No extra test |
| After 1 Jan 1997 | Up to 3,500kg trailer MAM | Standard Category B | No extra test |
| After 1 Jan 1997 | Trailer MAM over 3,500kg | Category B+E required | Extra test needed |
| Any date | HGV combinations | Category C or C+E | Full HGV licence |
Don’t Assume – Always Check
Your towing entitlement isn’t automatic on every licence. Check the categories printed on the back of your photocard licence before you hitch anything up.
Can I Tow a 3,500kg Trailer?
In most cases, yes. But the bit that trips people up isn’t the trailer weight on its own – it’s the combined weight.
Since December 2021, a Category B licence lets you tow a trailer up to 3,500kg MAM. But the total weight of your towing vehicle and trailer together also has to stay within legal limits.
Say your car weighs 1,900kg and you want to tow a 3,500kg trailer. That puts you over the limit for a standard Category B licence. Get it wrong and you’re driving without the right entitlement. That’s not a technicality – it’s an offence.
Combined Weight Is What Counts
The 3,500kg limit applies to the trailer MAM – but the combined gross train weight of your vehicle and trailer must also stay within your licence entitlement. Always add both figures together before you set off.
What's the Maximum Trailer You Can Tow?
Three things decide your limit. Your licence category. Your vehicle’s towing rating from the manufacturer. And the trailer’s own MAM. Whichever of those three is lowest – that’s your limit. No exceptions.
For post-1997 Category B licence holders, the trailer MAM cap is 3,500kg. For pre-1997 holders, the combined train weight can go up to 8,250kg. Above that, you need an HGV licence.
Check the VIN Plate
Your vehicle’s towing limit on the VIN plate can be much lower than what your licence technically allows. Both limits apply at the same time. The lower one always wins.
What Restrictions Apply to Towing a Trailer?
The moment you attach a trailer, several rules kick in. Some people know them. A lot don’t.
| Restriction | Detail |
|---|---|
| Speed – Motorway / Dual Carriageway | 60 mph maximum (not 70 mph) |
| Speed – Single Carriageway | 50 mph maximum |
| Maximum Width | 2.55 metres |
| Maximum Length | 7 metres (for trailers towed by vehicles up to 3,500kg) |
| Brakes Required | Any trailer over 750kg must have fully working brakes |
| Lights and Number Plate | Rear lights, brake lights, indicators, and matching number plate required |
| Motorway Lane Restriction | Outside lane banned on motorways with 3 or more lanes |
What Is the 80/20 Rule in Towing?
It’s a safety guideline, not a legal requirement – but it’s a good one to know. Your loaded trailer should weigh no more than 80% of your towing vehicle’s kerb weight. If your car weighs 1,500kg, keep your loaded trailer at or below 1,200kg.
That 20% gap gives you better control when braking hard, in strong crosswinds, or on bends. If you’re newer to towing, stick closer to the 80% mark. The difference in how a setup handles at 85% versus 75% is noticeable. Not in a good way.
Keep your loaded trailer at or below 80% of your car’s kerb weight for confident, stable towing.
Matching trailer weight to vehicle weight is possible but requires real experience and confidence.
What Is the 60/40 Rule for Trailers?
Load the front heavier than the back – that’s the short version. Aim to put around 60% of your total load weight in the front half of the trailer and 40% in the rear.
The reason it matters is trailer sway. Too much weight at the back lifts the nose of the trailer off the tow ball. Once a trailer starts snaking at speed, it can get out of control very quickly. Sixty-forty loading keeps the nose pressed down and makes a big difference at motorway speeds.
The majority of your load should sit in the front half of the trailer to press the nose down onto the tow ball.
Too much weight at the back causes trailer sway. At motorway speeds, that can escalate fast.
What Are the Common Towing Mistakes?
These come up again and again. Most are avoidable with a bit of preparation.
Do I Need a Tachograph for Towing a Trailer?
This one comes up a lot, especially from drivers who tow for work. The short answer is – it depends.
| Scenario | Tachograph Required? |
|---|---|
| Vehicle over 3.5t GVW towing for commercial purposes | Almost certainly yes |
| Car or van under 3.5t GVW for personal use | Generally no |
| Light van under 3.5t for some work journeys | Generally no |
| Combined gross train weight over 3.5t for commercial use | Seek specialist advice |
Don’t Guess on Tachograph Rules
Tachograph offences carry serious penalties for drivers and operators alike. Not knowing the rules doesn’t protect you at the roadside. If you’re regularly towing heavy loads for business, get proper advice for your specific setup.
Do I Need a CPC to Tow a Trailer?
A Driver CPC is required when you’re driving professionally in a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes GVW for hire or reward. If you’re towing with a light vehicle for personal use, or for commercial purposes that keep you below that threshold, you don’t need a CPC.
But if your towing setup puts you into HGV weight territory and it’s part of your job, you need the right licence and the right qualification – CPC included.
Not Sure Where You Stand?
EP Training offers HGV licence training and Driver CPC courses. It’s far easier to get clear advice before you start than to deal with a compliance problem after the fact. Get in touch and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Towing with a Van
Vans can usually tow more than cars, which makes them popular for tradespeople moving heavier loads. But a higher towing capacity isn’t unlimited. Always check the VIN plate on your specific van before assuming anything.
It’s also worth knowing that if the van is over 3.5 tonnes GVW, different licensing rules apply. Tachograph obligations may also come into play depending on the combined weight and what the journey is for.
Towing a Caravan
The same core rules apply to caravans as to trailers. If the combined weight of your car and caravan exceeds 3,500kg, you need a B+E licence. Under that, your standard Category B licence is fine – as long as it was issued after 1st January 1997.
The 80/20 and 60/40 rules matter a lot with caravans. The internal layout makes proper weight distribution harder than it looks, and plenty of caravan owners underestimate how much their van weighs once it’s loaded for a trip. If you’re not certain – weigh it. Guessing is not a plan.
EP Training • UK Licence Specialists
Not Sure What Licence You Need to Tow?
Whether you need a B+E upgrade, a full HGV licence, or just want to know where you stand – we’ll give you a straight answer and point you to the right course.
