One of the most common questions we hear at GS Driver Training is: "Do I need a licence to tow a trailer?" The short answer is: it depends on your driving licence, when you passed your test, and the combined weight of your vehicle and trailer. This guide breaks down the rules clearly so you know exactly where you stand.

Do You Need a Licence to Tow a Trailer in the UK?

Every driver in the UK needs some form of driving licence to tow a trailer on public roads. However, you do not always need a separate or additional licence — many drivers can tow within the limits of their standard Category B car licence.

Whether you need an additional licence category depends on three factors:

1. When you passed your driving test — the rules changed on 1 January 1997 and again on 16 December 2021
2. The Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of your trailer — the maximum weight the trailer is designed to carry when fully loaded
3. The combined MAM of your vehicle and trailer together

Towing Rules If You Passed Your Test Before 1 January 1997

If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997, you have what are commonly called "grandfather rights". These give you significantly broader towing entitlements than newer drivers:

• You can tow a trailer with any vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250 kg MAM
• There is no separate trailer weight cap — the limit is the combined total
• You can tow trailers heavier than 3,500 kg (which post-1997 drivers cannot without additional licences)
• Your licence should show categories B, BE, C1, C1+E (and sometimes others) automatically

Check the back of your photocard licence — if you see BE and C1+E listed, your grandfather rights are confirmed. These entitlements remain valid for life, provided you renew your licence before age 70 and pass a medical if required. For more information on medical requirements, visit our contact page.

Towing Rules If You Passed Your Test From 1 January 1997 Onwards

If you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997, your Category B licence allows you to tow, but with stricter limits:

In practice, most car-and-caravan or car-and-trailer combinations fall within the 7,000 kg combined limit. But if you are towing a large horsebox, heavy plant trailer, or commercial load, you may need Category BE or even C1+E.

What Changed on 16 December 2021?

On 16 December 2021, the UK Government abolished the separate car-and-trailer (BE) driving test. This was a significant change:

• Before 16 December 2021: If you passed your car test after 1 January 1997, you needed to take a separate BE test to tow heavier trailers
• From 16 December 2021: Anyone who passes a Category B car test automatically receives Category BE on their licence
• Existing licence holders: If you already held a full car licence on 16 December 2021, BE was added automatically — the DVLA updates this when you next renew your licence

This means that in 2026, most drivers with a full car licence now have BE entitlement, whether they took a separate test or had it added automatically. Check the categories on the back of your licence to confirm.

The BE Date Split: Before and After 19 January 2013

There is a further distinction that many guides overlook. If you have Category BE on your licence, the date it was granted affects what you can tow:

This means drivers with older BE entitlements have broader rights than those who gained BE more recently. If you are unsure when your BE was added, check the "valid from" date in column 10 on the back of your photocard licence.

Do You Need a Licence to Tow a Caravan?

Caravans are one of the most common things people tow, and the good news is that most drivers can tow a caravan on their standard licence. Here is why:

• A typical touring caravan has a MAM of 1,000–1,800 kg
• A typical towing car has a MAM of 1,500–2,500 kg
• Combined, this is usually 2,500–4,300 kg — well within the 7,000 kg Category B limit

The 85% guideline is also worth knowing: for safe, stable towing, many experts recommend that the caravan's laden weight should not exceed 85% of the towing vehicle's kerbweight. This is a safety recommendation, not a legal requirement, but it is widely followed.

Not sure if your specific setup is legal? Use our What Can I Tow? calculator to check your exact vehicle and trailer combination.

Do You Need a Licence to Tow a Trailer with a Van?

This is where many drivers get caught out. Vans are heavier than cars, so the combined weight limit is reached more quickly:

• A Ford Transit (3.5t variant) has a MAM of 3,500 kg
• Adding even a modest 1,500 kg trailer brings the combined total to 5,000 kg
• A larger trailer at 3,500 kg would push the combined total to 7,000 kg — right at the Category B limit

If your van-and-trailer combination exceeds 7,000 kg combined MAM, you will need Category BE at minimum. For vans over 3,500 kg MAM (such as the larger Sprinter or Crafter models), you may need a Category C1 or C1+E licence. Learn more about C1 licence training.

Read our full guide: What Is C1 on a Driving Licence?

When Do You Need a C1+E Licence for Towing?

You need a C1+E licence when your vehicle-and-trailer combination exceeds what Category B or BE allows. Specifically:

• Your towing vehicle weighs between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg MAM (medium goods vehicle)
• You are towing a trailer over 750 kg MAM
• The combined weight exceeds 7,000 kg (the Category B+E limit)

Common scenarios requiring C1+E include towing a large horsebox with a 7.5-tonne vehicle, pulling a plant trailer behind a medium truck, or commercial operations with a van-and-trailer setup exceeding 7 tonnes combined.

C1+E allows combined weights up to 12,000 kg. If you need to go beyond that, you will need a full Category C or Category C+E licence.

Trailer Registration and Legal Requirements

Beyond the licence itself, there are legal requirements for the trailer:

• Trailers over 750 kg MAM must have their own braking system
• Trailers over 3,500 kg MAM must be registered with the DVLA and display number plates
• All trailers must have working lights (indicators, brake lights, rear reflectors, number plate light)
• Breakaway cable or secondary coupling is required on all braked trailers
• Towing mirrors are required if the trailer is wider than the towing vehicle
• Speed limits are lower when towing: 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways

Penalties for Towing Without the Correct Licence

Towing a trailer without the correct licence category is treated as driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. The penalties are serious:

Your vehicle insurance may also be invalidated if you are towing outside your licence entitlements, leaving you personally liable for any damage or injury caused.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I tow a trailer on a provisional licence?

No. You must hold a full Category B driving licence before you can tow any trailer on public roads. Provisional licence holders cannot tow.

Do I need a licence to tow a small trailer under 750 kg?

You need a full Category B driving licence, but you do not need any additional licence category. Any driver with a full car licence can tow a trailer up to 750 kg MAM regardless of when they passed their test.

Can I tow a trailer abroad with my UK licence?

Within the EU and EEA, your UK licence categories are generally recognised. However, some countries may require an International Driving Permit (IDP). Always check the specific rules for your destination country before travelling.

Do electric cars have different towing rules?

The licence rules are the same, but there is a weight difference. Zero-emission vehicles (electric and hydrogen) have a higher MAM threshold of 4,250 kg under Category B (compared to 3,500 kg for petrol/diesel). This gives electric vehicle owners slightly more headroom for towing.

How do I check what I can tow with my licence?

Check the categories listed on the back of your photocard driving licence. For a quick, personalised answer, use our free What Can I Tow? calculator — it takes 60 seconds and tells you exactly what your licence allows.

Where can I find my vehicle's towing capacity?

Check your vehicle's VIN plate (usually on the door frame or under the bonnet), your owner's handbook, or the V5C registration document. The manufacturer's towing capacity is the maximum weight your vehicle is rated to pull — you must not exceed this even if your licence allows a higher combined weight.

Still unsure? Use our free What Can I Tow? calculator for a personalised answer, or take our Which Licence Do I Need? quiz to find the right training course. Call us on 01252 447808 for expert advice.

Also Read:

• What Can I Tow with My Licence? VOSA Trailer Towing Laws UK [2026]
• C1+E Licence UK: Complete Guide to Costs, Training and Requirements
• What Is C1 on a Driving Licence?

Ready to get your towing licence or explore other training options? Visit our training courses page to browse all available courses and start your journey with GS Driver Training today!