Is it legal to tow a car Ireland? You can tow a trailer in all cases where: MAM 1 of the vehicle and trailer combination is greater than 3,500 kg but less than 7,500 kg. MAM 1 of the trailer is greater than 750 kg.
What are the rules for towing in Northern Ireland?
There are different rules for towing if you live in Northern Ireland. You will not be affected by the changes if you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997. You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass ( MAM ).
How big of a trailer can you tow without a test?
The Drivers Vehicles and Standards Agency announced on December 16 th, 2021, that if you passed your car driving test from January 1 st, 1997, you are now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM. All car drivers, who have passed their driving test since January 1 st, 1997, can tow a trailer up to 3,500kg in weight without the need for a test.
Can I tow a trailer on my driving licence?
If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you’ll be allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM when the law changes. DVLA will update your driving licence record to show that you’re allowed to tow trailers. You’ll get category BE added to your driving licence when you get a new photocard driving licence.
What is the penalty for towing a heavy trailer UK?
Towing a trailer heavier than permitted by your licence can result in a fine of up to £1,000. Drivers can continue to use L-plates to be supervised towing heaving trailers. What if I already have a trailer test booked? To address the HGV driver shortage quickly, the DVSA will stop all trailer tests after 20 September 2021.
What is a category B tow?
How much weight can a B+E trailer carry?
What does MAM mean in a trailer?
Can you tow a caravan?
See 1 more
About this website
Do I need a licence to tow a trailer in Northern Ireland?
Car licences obtained on or after 19 January 2013 To tow a trailer that weighs more than 3,500kgs with a car or small vehicle (category B), you will need to pass additional tests for category C1E (medium-sized goods vehicles with trailers).
Is the law changing for towing a trailer in Northern Ireland?
The Drivers Vehicles and Standards Agency announced on December 16th, 2021, that if you passed your car driving test from January 1st, 1997, you are now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM.
Can you tow a trailer on normal licence?
What changed on 16 December 2021. If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you're now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM . Check your car's handbook to find out its gross train weight (GTW). This is the total allowable weight of the car plus the trailer plus the load.
Do I need a licence to pull a trailer in Ireland?
If you have a category B driving licence (car/jeep) you can tow a small trailer. If you want to tow a larger trailer you must have a category BE licence. For further information see licence categories.
What happens if you get caught towing a trailer without a license UK?
Towing a trailer without the correct licence can lead to a fine of up to £5000 and nine points on your driving licence. Another important factor to consider is whether your insurance is valid if you are towing illegally. Should an accident occur, this may lead to more serous convictions.
Can anyone tow a trailer now UK?
You can tow trailers up to a certain weight with your car driving licence. The weight you're allowed to tow depends on when you got your licence. You'll need to know the weight of both the vehicle and trailer - also known as the 'maximum authorised mass' ( MAM ).
Has the towing licence been scrapped?
New trailer towing law finally comes into force three months after test scrapped. The car and trailer towing test has been scrapped as part of Government plans to tackle the HGV driver shortage crisis, meaning most drivers can now tow a horse trailer without taking an extra test under the new trailer towing law.
What is 3500kg MAM?
With trailers, the MAM represents the maximum combined unladen weight of the trailer and the permitted load it can carry. For example, if your trailer's MAM is 3500kg and the trailer weighs 1000kg, then the maximum load permitted to be carried by the trailer is 2500kg.
What restrictions apply for towing a trailer on a motorway?
What restrictions apply if you're towing a trailer on a three-...use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway unless directed to do so (for example, at roadworks or due to a lane closure)exceed 60 mph.
Can I tow a trailer on the motorway?
On a motorway or dual-carriageway where the limit for a car is 70mph, then drive at 60mph to stay the right side of the law while towing. On a single-carriageway with a 60mph maximum for cars, you should tow at no more than 50mph to stay legal.
What driving licence do I need to tow a trailer?
Category B+E is for car drivers who would like to be able to tow a trailer with their car. With a Category B+E driving licence (car & trailer combination), you will be able to drive your car and tow a trailer with a maximum combined weight of up to 7 tonnes.
What trailer can I pull with my car?
Look for the “Vehicle Towing Capacity” in the manual. This is the manufacturer's specification of the weight the vehicle is designed to tow. Choosing a trailer that exceeds your vehicle's towing capacity will stress the vehicle's engine, transmission, and brakes beyond their design limits.
Is the trailer test being scrapped Ireland?
The Government has confirmed that it will scrap the car and trailer driving test in an effort to streamline testing procedures. The B+E test requirement for drivers who qualified after 1 January 1997 will be dropped as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) looks to free up examiners to carry out HGV tests.
What restrictions apply for towing a trailer on a motorway?
What restrictions apply if you're towing a trailer on a three-...use the right-hand lane of a three-lane motorway unless directed to do so (for example, at roadworks or due to a lane closure)exceed 60 mph.
What length of trailer can I tow?
The semitrailer is not more than 53 feet in length, with two or more rear axles and a maximum 40' KPRA, or with a single axle and a maximum 38-foot KPRA.
Can you tow a trailer on the motorway?
It should be remembered that you must not travel in the outside lane of a motorway, with three lanes or more, if you are driving a vehicle towing a trailer.
New law change for towing trailers comes into force
New trailer towing rules relating to England, Scotland and Wales have come into force from 16 December. Anyone who passed their car driving test from 1
Date confirmed for law change on car and trailer towing rules
Decision to scrap car and trailer towing test. The DVSA announced plans to scrap the car and trailer (B+E) towing test on 10 September as part of Government plans to tackle the HGV driver shortage.
Driving licence to tow a caravan or trailer | nidirect
Your entitlement to tow a caravan or trailer will depend on the driving licence you hold. The categories detailed on your driving licence will decide what you can tow.
New rules for towing a trailer with a car from 16 December 2021
The rules about towing a trailer or caravan with a car changed on 16 December 2021. Find out how the changes affect you.
Driving tests for towing a trailer to be scrapped - Motoring Research
As part of measures to tackle the UK’s HGV driver shortage, an extra test for towing a trailer will no longer be needed.
Towing with a car: Towing weight and width limits - GOV.UK
If your VIN plate does not list a train weight, you should not use your vehicle for towing.. Width and length. The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. The maximum length ...
When will the rules change for towing a trailer?
There will be new rules about towing a trailer or caravan with a car from 15 November 2021. Find out how the changes affect you.
How much can a van tow?
a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total)
How much weight can a trailer carry?
a trailer over 750kg MAM, as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (up to 3,500kg in total)
How much weight can you drive on a trailer?
You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass ( MAM ). View your driving licence information to check.
How many points can you get for towing a car?
You can be fined up to £1,000, be banned from driving and get up to 6 penalty points on your driving licence if you tow anything heavier before the law changes.
Is the car and trailer driving test stopped?
Car and trailer driving tests have now stopped. You can no longer book one.
Can you get a refund for a trailer training?
You cannot get a refund or compensation for any training that you took to help you prepare to take a car and trailer driving test.
What is the speed limit for towing a trailer in Ireland?
It’s common on Irish roads to see a car towing a trailer while clipping along at the 120km/h speed limit, despite the fact that the legal speed limit for towing a trailer is just 80km/h.
How much weight can you tow a trailer?
You can also tow a trailer and load weighing more than 750kg as long as the combined weight of the vehicle and loaded trailer does not exceed 3,500kg. A “type 01”, “unbraked” trailer does not need a braking mechanism.
What can I tow on my car licence?
What can I tow on my car licence? On a standard B car licence you can tow a trailer that has a maximum authorised mass (Mam) of 750kg; this includes the weight of both the trailer and its load. (A trailer’s technical specifications are stamped on a metal plate attached to it.) You can also tow a trailer and load weighing more than 750kg as long as the combined weight of the vehicle and loaded trailer does not exceed 3,500kg. A “type 01”, “unbraked” trailer does not need a braking mechanism. This trailer is likely to be small – when it is empty you could manhandle it with little effort – with, usually, just one axle.
What does a BE licence allow me to tow?
A BE-licence holder can tow a car, whereas a B-licence holder cannot.
Can you tow a trailer without a license?
The reality is that many drivers are towing trailers without the proper licence , despite the risk of incurring penalty points and potentially voiding their insurance cover. With trailer use, weight is the key.
Can you attach a hitch to a Ford Ka?
Of course, before you attach a hitch to a Ford Ka it’s worth noting the towing vehicle must be certified to tow the weight of the trailer and load .
Do you need a B licence for a large SUV?
Drivers of large SUVs on a B licence need to take care, as their heavier vehicles can often push the total weight above the 3,500kg limit, then requiring a category BE (car and trailer) licence. This seems inherently silly, as a large SUV would generally have more power than a car, to make towing easier, but that’s the way the rules apply.
How much can a trailer tow?
Licenses issued from 19 January 2013 allowed for towing a trailer over 750kg MAM, as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.
What will the new trailer towing rules allow?
When the law changes in the autumn, drivers who have passed their test after 1 January 1997 will be allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM without taking an additional car and trailer driving test.
What are the current rules on towing a trailer?
At present, the law states that those who passed their driving test after 1 January 1997 can drive a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM (maximum authorised mass) towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total).
What if I already have a trailer test booked?
To address the HGV driver shortage quickly, the DVSA will stop all trailer tests after 20 September 2021.
Do you need to take trailer lessons before towing?
As part of the changes in legislation, the government will still recommend that drivers take trailer lessons from a professional instructor before towing for the first time.
Is there a requirement to take an additional test to tow a trailer?
The government has decided to scrap the requirement for drivers to take an additional test to tow a trailer.
Does the DVLA update your driving licence?
The DVLA will automatically update driving licence records to reflect the changes . When a driving licence is renewed, it will show the ‘BE’ category upon it.
What is a category B tow?
An exemption from the above combination weight limits allows a category B licence holder to tow a broken down vehicle from a position where it would cause danger or obstruction to other road users.
How much weight can a B+E trailer carry?
Category B+E allows vehicles up to 3,500kgs MAM to be shared with trailers more than 750kgs MAM, but not exceeding 3,500kgs. MAM and the total weight must not be more than 7,000kgs MAM. Construction and use regulations may also apply.
What does MAM mean in a trailer?
On this page reference is made to the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of vehicles and trailers. This should be taken to mean the permitted maximum weight, also known as the gross vehicle weight.
Can you tow a caravan?
Caravans of a greater weight can be towed provided you hold the right licence category. However, vehicle manufacturers normally recommend a maximum weight of trailer proper to their vehicle based on construction and use requirements. Details can usually be found in the vehicle's handbook or obtained from car dealership.