Towing a caravan: Rules and insurance explained

You should be covered to tow a trailer or caravan under your car insurance policy, but there are a few rules worth knowing before you hit the road.

What are the UK towing and trailer regulations?

Make sure your caravan or trailer complies with UK rules before you set out. If you're new to caravan towing, or just want a quick checklist to hand, here's what you need to look out for:

Trailer width

The maximum width for a caravan or any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres (around 8ft)

Trailer length

Your caravan or trailer shouldn’t exceed 7 metres (23ft) if you’re towing it with a vehicle weighing up to 3,500 kg.

Towing bars

The tow bar you use for your car needs to meet EU regulations, also known as ‘type approved’.

If your tow bar is type approved, it should have:

• An approval number
• Details of the vehicle it’s approved for

If your car was first used before 1 August 1998, it doesn't need to be type approved.

Towing mirrors

You must be able to see the road behind you, so fitting suitable towing mirrors to your trailer or caravan is essential.

If you don’t you could end up with a fine of £1,000 and 3 penalty points on your licence.

You should get towing mirrors if the caravan or trailer is wider than the rear of your car.

Number plates

Your trailer or caravan should display the same number plate as your car.

Trailer lights

You should make sure all the lights are working on your caravan or trailer. It should have:

• 2 red side lights
• 2 red brake lights
• Amber indicators
• A pair of triangular red reflectors at the rear of the trailer.

If your trailer is over 1.3 metre (4ft) wide you should also have a fog lamp.

If you break any of these rules, you could get a fine or points on your licence which could increase your insurance costs. See GOV.UK's towing rules for the complete official guidance.

Can I tow a caravan on my driving licence?

Yes! You can tow a caravan or a trailer on your licence. But the weight you can tow changes depending on when you passed your test.

From 16 December 2021, the DVSA scrapped the separate car-and-trailer (B+E) practical test. That means that anyone who passed their driving test from 1 January 1997 onwards is now automatically granted category BE.

 

So good news: The 3,500kg MAM towing limit already applies without needing to sit an extra test. This is worth remembering as many drivers who passed between 1997 and 2021 believe they're more restricted than they really are.

 

It's quick and easy to check if category BE already shows on your licence. Simply check your driving licence online via GOV.UK - there's no need to contact the DVLA, as it's applied automatically.

 

If you passed your test before 1 January 1997

You can drive a car and trailer or caravan up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

If you passed your test after 1 January 1997

You can drive a car and trailer or caravan up to 3,500kg MAM.

There's no such thing as a dedicated 'trailer licence', but you may need to take an additional driving test if the trailer or caravan you're towing exceeds a certain weight.

These rules apply to Wales, Scotland and England. For information about towing in Northern Ireland, visit NI Direct.

Do I need insurance to tow a caravan?

Yes, you need to have a valid car insurance policy to tow a caravan or a trailer. This is to protect your car and other road users. 

It's best to contact them and let them know you plan on using your car for towing. That way, you can be sure your policy covers it.

Most insurers cover the cost if your car is damaged when you're towing a caravan or trailer. 

But the caravan or trailer itself isn’t covered on a comprehensive car insurance policy. Many insurance companies have trailers and caravans in their list of exclusions. 

Do I need trailer insurance or caravan cover?

No, you're not required to get a dedicated caravan insurance policy for your trailer or caravan. 

But it's worth considering. Caravan insurance protects you if your caravan is damaged in an accident, or stolen. As this is a separate policy, making a claim for your caravan doesn't impact your car insurance no-claims bonus.

Does a tow bar count as a modification?

Yes. If the tow bar isn't an original part of the car, it counts as a modification.

In this case, you should tell your insurance company about it. This could impact your car insurance costs as you've changed the car from its original specifications.

Not all car insurance companies consider a tow bar to be a modification in the same way that remapping your engine or tinting your windows is.

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Will my car insurance policy cover me for towing a caravan in Europe?

Yes - if your car insurance policy gives you European cover, you should be able to tow a caravan or trailer outside the UK.

 

Standard comprehensive car insurance policies tend to offer European cover for 30 days, though some insurers offer up to 90 days.

If you have caravan insurance, you can include 30-90 days of EU cover as an extra. When comparing caravan insurance quotes, we'll ask you 'Would you like to include EU cover?' under the 'Tailor your cover' section.

There might be specific rules on towing a caravan abroad depending on the country. The Caravan Club has more information on towing regulations outside the UK.

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