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What driving licence do I need to tow a caravan
Car licences held BEFORE 1 January 1997
All drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250 kg GTW.
Drivers who need to renew their licences beyond the age of 70 should ensure that they retain these entitlements.
Drivers who hold subcategory C1+E, which is limited to 8,250 kg CTW, may apply for provisional entitlement to the new subcategory C1+E, in order to take and pass the test that will increase their combined vehicle and trailer entitlement to 12,000 kg GTW.
Car licences gained SINCE 1 January 1997
Category B: Vehicles up to 3,500 kg MPW and with up to eight passenger seats (including driver)
Category B vehicles may be coupled with:
•--- a caravan up to 750 kg MTPLM (allowing a combined weight up to 4,250 kg GTW)
•--- or a caravan over 750 kg MTPLM providing the MTPLM of the caravan does not exceed the unladen weight of the car
---- and the combination does not exceed 3,500 kg GTW.
Note: For examole, see below two situations - the same car but with a different caravan:
Drivers who passed a car test on or after 1st January 1997 are required to pass an additional driving test in order to gain entitlement to Category B+E and all larger vehicles. Subcategory C1, D1, C1+E and D1+E willinvolve a higher medical standard. Passing a test for entitlement to one of the subcategory +1 upgrades may allow entitlement to others depending on the trailer size but the +1 subcategory test can only be taken after entitlement is given for the relevant Category.
Category B+E: Vehicle up to 3,500 kg MPW towing caravans over 750 kg MTPLM
CategoryB+E allows vehicles up to 3,500 kg MPW to be combined with caravans in excess of 750 kg MTPLM irrespective of the weight ratio. In order to gain this entitlement, new category B licence holders have to pass a further practical test for category B+E though there is no theory test. For driver licensing purposes, there are no vehicle/trailer weight ratio limits for category B+E
Vehicle manufacturers may publish a range of trailer MTPLMs appropriate to each vehicle type and specification within a range, with precise details stated in the vehicle’s handbook, at vehicle dealerships and/or in otherinformation sources. Check the exact specification of your car, because there can be a wide variation of maximum values published for different vehicles within the same product range.