Get the correct licence for towing a caravan

If you’re planning to buy a new or used tourer, it’s essential that you get the correct licence for towing a caravan.

It’s easy to become confused, because the law on which licence was required to tow a caravan changed relatively recently, back in December 2021.

However, the good news is that most people are now able to tow a caravan with their existing licence.

The original legislation on the licence to tow a caravan

Before 16 December 2021, many drivers’ tow car choice was limited by the regulations concerning the B+E licence category.

Previously, anyone who had a licence issued from 1 January 1997-18 January 2013 could only drive the following:

A car or van up to 3500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4250kg in total)
A trailer over 750kg MAM, as long as it was no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (up to 3500kg in total)

And anyone who had a licence issued from 19 January 2013 onwards could only drive the following:

A car or van up to 3500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total)
A trailer over 750kg MAM as long as the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle was no more than 3500kg.

Anyone with a licence issued after 1 January 1997 had to take a test if they wanted to tow anything heavier.

This is in contrast to those who had a licence issued before 1 January 1997: they were usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

What licence do I need to tow a caravan?

However, the law changed in December 2021: from then, anyone with a full UK driving licence now has the correct licence to tow a caravan or trailer weighing up to 3500kg MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass).

If your licence has changed, there’s no need to do anything. Your driving licence will be automatically updated by the DVLA upon renewal.

Those with a licence issued before 1 January 1997 continue to be able to tow heavier combinations, although you should check your driving licence for exact details and confirmation.

For more details on getting the correct licence for towing a caravan, visit the UK Government website.

Once you’re sure you’ve got the right licence for towing a caravan, check out our guide to the Best Tow Cars of 2022.

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SarahWakely

Sarah is Editor-in-chief of Practical Caravan and Practical Motorhome, and started camping before she could remember, with trips away in the family’s aged Sprite Alpine caravan. After beginning her journalism career in car magazines, she became Deputy editor of Practical Motorhome in 2006, before also joining sister brand Practical Caravan in 2013. Over the years she’s toured across the UK and Europe, including to Iceland, Romania, Spain and the Faroe Islands. Highlights include a gastronomic tour of northern Italy, a week-long tour of the NC500, and almost missing a ferry from France after failing to find out when the site gates were unlocked. Wherever she goes, she’s always planning her next adventure... Sarah regularly posts on the Practical Caravan Facebook and Twitter feeds; you'll find her own Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/sarahwakers.