Government announces new rules for towing a trailer

** Please note, since publishing the below information the Government has postponed changes to towing rules until a later date, yet to be confirmed **

The Department for Transport (DfT) has this week announced that as from the 15 November 2021 new rules will be introduced for towing a trailer with a car.

The effect of the new rules however, will be dependent on when the driver originally passed their car driving test. If you passed your car driving test from 01 January 1997 onwards, you will be allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) from 15 November 2021.

If you qualify under the new rules, then the DVLA will update your driving licence record automatically to show that you are allowed to tow trailers. You will get category BE added to your driving licence when you get a new photocard driving licence. This will happen automatically, and you do not need to contact DVLA for this to happen. 

Until the law changes on 15 November 2021, you must continue to follow the current rules about what you are allowed to tow based on when you passed your car driving test.

Previously, those wishing to tow a trailer would have had to pass a car and trailer test to tow a larger trailer. Car and trailer driving tests have now been stopped by the DVLA. If you had a test booked for yourself, then DfT have confirmed that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency will have automatically cancelled and refunded it for you.

Different rules remain applicable for towing a trailer in Northern Ireland.

You can find further information about the new rule on the GOV.UK website.