Confusion grows over licence changes as car and trailer driving tests scrapped

Confusion is growing over rule changes for towing a trailer or caravan in the UK.

Laws preventing drivers who passed their test from 1 January 1997 from towing more than 750kg MAM (maximum authorised max) are set to be relaxed, allowing them to haul up to 3500kg MAM. 

Unfortunately, no one at the Department For Transport (DfT) or DVLA is able to say when the new rules will come into force. A spokesperson for the DfT told HonestJohn.co.uk the date "has not yet been confirmed".

The lack of information has the potential to leave drivers in limbo with car and trailer driving tests ending on 20 September. There is no guidance on when the new rules for towing will come into force, which means drivers will be unable to tow heavier loads or upgrade their licence.

Drivers can be fined up to £1000, be banned from driving and get up to six penalty points on their driving licence if they tow anything heavier before the law changes.

Anyone who passed their test from January 1997 can tow a trailer or caravan of up to 750kg MAM or more than 750kg MAM, so long as it doesn't exceed the weight of the unladen tow car.

Until the law changes, if you passed your test on or after the 1 January 1997, you’re only allowed to tow up to 3500kg MAM if you’re supervised. L plates must be displayed and you must be accompanied by a person who’s at least 21 years old and has had category BE on their driving licence for at least three years.

To cloud the waters still further, licences issued after 18 January 2013 play by a separate set of rules, which means you can tow a trailer of up to 750kg MAM or a trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and tow car doesn't exceed 3500kg.