UK – New rules for towing a trailer with a car from 15 November 2021

[UK Sentinel]

There will be new rules about towing a trailer or caravan with a car from 15 November 2021. Find out how the changes affect you.

The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your car driving test.

The rules will change (subject to Parliamentary approval) on 15 November 2021. The new rules will still depend on when you originally passed your car driving test.

What you’re currently allowed to tow
Licences issued before 1 January 1997

You will not be affected by the changes if you passed your car driving test before 1 January 1997.

You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). View your driving licence information to check.

You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.

Licences issued from 1 January 1997 to 18 January 2013
If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997 to 18 January 2013, you can currently drive either of the following:

• a car or van up to 3,500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total)
• 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)

You’ve had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.

What will change from 15 November 2021:
If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997, you’ll be allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM from 15 November 2021.

DVLA will update your driving licence record to show that you’re allowed to tow trailers. You’ll get category BE added to your driving licence when you get a new photocard driving licence.

You do not need to contact DVLA for this to happen. It will be done automatically.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-rules-for-towing-a-trailer-or-caravan-with-a-car-from-autumn-2021

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[UK Sentinel]

I assume if you have passed your test after 1 January 1997 then you can longer drive a minibus with a trailer over  750kg MAM  

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