The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has said planned changes to the rules on towing a caravan with a car have been delayed but ‘will be introduced at a later date, and as soon as possible’.

As it stands, the current rules for drivers looking to tow a caravan depends on when they passed their test.

Those who passed before 1 January 1997 are able to tow a vehicle and trailer of up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM).

However, anyone who has passed their driving test either on or after 1 January 1997 can drive a vehicle up to 3,500kg MAM while towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM. A trailer that is over 750kg MAM can only be towed so long as the combined MAM of both trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.

In these circumstances, a driver would have to take an additional B+E test to tow something heavier.

The new rules on caravan towing will change this, allowing anyone to tow a trailer that weighs up to 3,500kg MAM without taking the additional test.

The rules were originally set to be changed on 15 November, but are currently on hold, with the DVSA tweeting they will ‘be introduced in autumn 2021, subject to Parliamentary approvals’. 

The DVSA stopped conducting B+E tests in September, meaning some drivers who lack the appropriate licence could be stuck, unable to tow a trailer while they wait for the changes to come in.

Drivers have been warned that they must stick to the current rules until the law is updated – towing something heavier than allowed could result in a fine of up to £1,000, six penalty points and even getting banned from driving.

You can find out more here.

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