From next month, the DVLA is bringing in a huge change for drivers going on camping holidays.
At the moment, you don’t need to pass a specific test to tow a trailer or caravan.
But according to the DVLA, it will be bringing in new regulations about what you’re allowed to tow and not allowed to tow.
Depending on when you got your licence, it will also effect what you can pull behind your car.
he new rules will be brought in on November 15 – depending on parliamentary approval.
From November 15, anyone who passed their car driving test from January 1 1997, you’ll be allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg.
Car and trailer driving tests were stopped on September of this year which means you can no longer book or take a car and trailer driving test from September 20.
The DVLA will update your driving licence record to show that you’re allowed to tow trailers and you’ll be able to see that the category BE has been added to your driving licence when you next get a new photocard driving licence.
Current rules mean that, depending when you passed your driving test, it limits you on what you can pull behind your car without taking a test.
The DVLA has warned that drivers need to continue to follow the current rules before November 15 or face a £1,000 fine, says Birmingham Live.
Here’s what you’re currently allowed to tow
Licences issued before 1 January 1997
You will not be affected by the changes if you passed your car driving test before January 1 1997.
You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg. You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg.
Licences issued from 1 January 1997 to 18 January 2013
If you passed your car driving test from January 1, 1997 to January 18, 2013, you can currently drive either of the following:
- a car or van up to 3,500kg towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total)
- a trailer over 750kg, as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (up to 3,500kg in total)
You’ve had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.
Licences issued after January 19, 2013
If you passed your car driving test from January 19 2013, you can currently drive either of the following:
- a car or van up to 3,500kg, towing a trailer of up to 750kg (up to 4,250kg in total)
- a trailer over 750kg as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg
You’ve had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.
The newest member of. the team to join in September 2021, Kayleigh joined the team to grow our news section and to keep you up to date with more of the info you need to know. As a contributor to Camping Sites in Britain, Kayleigh covers news and trending technology related stories. If she isn’t writing for us she can often be found camping usually in the Lake District.
