New towing regs explained
The government has now announced a change to towing regulations.
The government has announced a change to towing regulations in England, Scotland and Wales. From 16th December 2021 the new rules came in to effect, but what are they? Read on to find out…
Currently the rules are different depending on when you passed your car driving test:
Licences issued before 1 January 1997
If you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997, allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.
Licences issued between 1 January 1997 and 18 January 2013
If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997 to 18 January 2013, you can currently drive either a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total) or 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). Up until now you would have had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.
Licences issued from 19 January 2013
If you passed your car driving test from 19 January 2013, you can currently drive either a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total) or a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg. Again, you would have had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.
The new rules from 16th December 2021
If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997 onwards, you’ll now be allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM. The DVLA will update your driving licence record to show that you’re allowed to tow trailers, and you’ll get category BE added to your driving licence when you order or receive a new photocard driving licence. The great thing is that this will all happen automatically.
For the full details on the new rules, visit Gov.uk (for Northern Ireland towing rules, visit NIDirect.gov.uk).
Now is a great time to explore the Först wheeled and tracked chipper options that will become available to your business following the implementation of this change. We offer free, on-site demonstrations so why not get ahead of the change and book one now?
