Towing Information & Legal Guide – Avon Trailers
Everything you need to know about trailer towing – licence categories, vehicle & trailer weight limits, width/length rules and safety equipment advice.
Towing Rules by Licence Type
Towing permissions vary based on when you passed your driving test. Licences issued from 2013 allow towing small trailers up to 750kg or heavier ones if combined weight stays under 3,500kg. Older licences have different allowances, with pre-1997 holders permitted heavier trailer combinations.
Licence Categories and Towing Limits
Licences from 19 January 2013
Drivers passing after this date can tow trailers up to 750kg or heavier trailers if the total weight with the vehicle does not exceed 3,500kg. For heavier loads, a B+E entitlement is required.
Licences Before 1997
Drivers licensed before 1997 can tow vehicle and trailer combinations up to 8.25 tonnes MAM, including minibuses with trailers over 750kg. Heavier combinations require additional testing and provisional entitlement.
Towing Weight and Size Limits Explained
Vehicle and Trailer Weight & Width Restrictions
Essential towing equipment for safety and compliance
Towing Equipment Standards and Requirements
Ensure your trailer setup meets legal safety standards with type-approved tow bars, proper towing mirrors, and functional trailer brakes. Using the correct equipment protects you on the road and keeps your towing within regulations.
Towing Regulations and Equipment FAQs
What towing limits apply based on my driving licence?
Towing limits depend on when you passed your driving test. Licences issued from 19 January 2013 allow towing trailers up to 750kg or heavier trailers if combined weight is under 3,500kg. Older licences may permit heavier combinations, but heavier towing requires additional tests and entitlements.
How do I find my vehicle’s maximum towing weight?
Check your vehicle handbook or specification sheet for towing weights. The gross train weight, which is the combined weight of your loaded vehicle and trailer, is often on the VIN plate under the bonnet or driver’s door. If no train weight is listed, towing is not recommended.
What are the maximum trailer width and length allowed?
The maximum trailer width allowed is 2.55 metres. For trailers towed by vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, the maximum trailer length is 7 metres. Staying within these limits ensures compliance with road safety regulations.
What safety standards must towing equipment meet?
Tow bars must be type-approved to meet EU regulations unless the car was first used before August 1998. Trailers over 750kg require working brakes. Towing mirrors are necessary if the trailer is wider than the towing vehicle to maintain adequate rear visibility.
Are there legal requirements for trailer number plates?
Trailers must display the same number plate as the towing vehicle. If towing multiple trailers, the number plate should be fixed to the rear of the last trailer. This ensures clear identification and compliance with legal standards.