The towing capacity of both vehicles when combined must not be more than 3,500kg for these drivers
Motorists in the UK are being warned about towing a caravan and the risk of a fine for being over the allowed towing capacity, especially those who passed their driving test after 1997.
Those of you who passed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997 can by law drive a car or a van with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500kg.
You can also tow a trailer over 750kg MAM, however the combined MAM cannot be more than 3,500kg in total for both the towing vehicle and the trailer.
So basically, the overall MAM must account for the towing vehicle and the total mass of the trailer combined.
Motorists Beware: If you passed your driving test after 1997 you could face a fine when towing a caravan! © Copyright John Carver and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
The trouble with this is that many new cars on the road today which are typically used for towing such as estate’s, crossovers and SUVs can often weigh up to and in excess of tow tonnes.
According to reports, a typical large car weighs about 1,985kg, whilst an SUV can weigh around 1,936kg to 2,460kg depending on the size of the SUV.
This doesn’t leave much left over when you consider the size of a trailer or caravan and the combined mass of both.
If you’re caught in the UK towing a caravan or trailer that exceeds the overall MAM you could be issued with a fine of up to £1,000 as well as three penalty points.
Towing a vehicle and having to pull extra weight at the back does change how a car is controlled and may alter its stopping distance, so going over your allowed combined MAM could be dangerous for yourself and other road users.
“Motorists are entitled to drive and tow vehicles of different sizes and weights depending on what categories are shown on their driving licence,” said RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis.
If you passed your test before 1 January 1997, according to your driving licence you’re entitled to drive and tow much heavier vehicles compared to those who passed on or after this date.
For example, those who passed before this date can tow heavier trailers and drive a minibus. Holders of driving licences gained before 1 January 1997 can drive laden vehicles that weight up to 7,500kg, plus they can also drive a vehicle and tow a trailer with a combined weight that doesn’t exceed 8,250kg.
This means there’s no issue with a car towing a caravan for anyone who passed their driving test before 1 January 1997, whereas those who passed after this date can only drive a vehicle and anything extra with a combined weight of up to 3,500kg – seems a little unfair!
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