Most UK car drivers no longer need to take a separate B+E test to tow a caravan.
If you passed your test from 1 January 1997, you can now tow a trailer with a maximum authorised mass of up to 3,500kg under Category BE, as long as the combination stays within the legal limits and those set by your car’s manufacturer.
Your licence is only part of the picture, though. Your car still needs to be a good match for the caravan.
Caravan Towing Rules UK Drivers Need to Know
Before you set off, it’s worth understanding four things: your licence, the weights involved, your towing equipment and the rules of the road.
Driving Licence Rules for Towing a Caravan
If you passed your test before 1 January 1997, you can normally drive a car and trailer with a combined MAM of up to 8,250kg.
If you passed from 1 January 1997, you can tow a trailer up to 3,500kg MAM under Category BE. If BE isn’t already shown on your photocard, DVLA may add it next time you renew.
This doesn’t mean every car can tow a 3,500kg caravan. Your car’s own limits still apply. The GOV.UK towing guidance sets out the full rules.
Legal Speed Limits When Towing
When towing a caravan, the limits are:
• 50mph on single carriageways
• 60mph on dual carriageways
• 60mph on motorways
Lower signed limits still apply. On motorways with three or more lanes, you must not use the right-hand lane while towing.
Towing Mirrors
You need a clear view of the road behind you.
If your caravan is wider than the back of your car, you’ll normally need extension mirrors. Clip-on mirrors are widely available and should be fitted securely so they don’t vibrate or move at speed. Towing without a proper rear view can lead to a fine and penalty points.
Matching Your Car and Caravan
A good match starts with the figures from both manufacturers, not how big the car looks.
Kerbweight, MTPLM and the 85% Guideline
Kerbweight is the weight of your car. The caravan’s MTPLM is the most it can weigh when fully loaded.
A long-standing industry guideline, particularly for newer towers, is to keep the caravan’s MTPLM at no more than about 85% of the car’s kerbweight. This helps give a stable, comfortable outfit.
The 85% figure is guidance, not law. More experienced drivers may choose a higher towing ratio, but you must still stay within the car manufacturer’s towing limit and all applicable legal weight limits.
Gross Train Weight and Your Car’s Towing Limit
Your car’s manufacturer sets how much it can tow.
The VIN plate usually shows a gross train weight. This is the maximum combined weight of the fully loaded car and caravan, and you must not go over it. If the plate doesn’t show a train weight, the car shouldn’t be used for towing.
Noseweight Explained
Noseweight is the downward force the caravan puts on the towball.
Getting it right helps keep the outfit stable. Too little can make the caravan unstable, while too much can overload the towbar or the car’s rear axle.
The right figure depends on the caravan hitch, towbar and car, and you must stay within the lowest of those limits. A common guide is around 7% of the caravan’s actual loaded weight, provided this doesn’t exceed any of them.
Loading heavier items low down and over the caravan’s axle, rather than at the front or back, makes it much easier to keep noseweight within limits.
Check noseweight with a noseweight gauge while the caravan is level and loaded as it will be for travel.
Towing Checks Before Every Trip
A few minutes of checks before you leave can save a lot of trouble later. Check:
• Tyre condition and pressures on the car and caravan
• Wheel security
• Lights and indicators
• Breakaway cable
• Hitch connection
• Towing mirrors
• Number plate
• Doors, windows and rooflights
• Loose items inside the caravan
• Noseweight and overall loading
The caravan’s brakes must also be in good working order. If you’re new to towing, a manoeuvring course is a good way to build confidence before your first trip.
Finding a Coachman That Suits Your Tow Car
Coachman caravans come in single and twin-axle layouts across a wide range of MTPLMs, so always check the specific model.
For example, the 2027 Acadia 575 Xtra has an MTPLM of 1,660kg, with an optional higher plate of 1,750kg. Other layouts vary considerably.
The Acadia and VIP ranges include some of the lighter single-axle layouts. You can compare the full Coachman caravan range against your car’s towing capacity before deciding.
If you’re choosing between layouts, our guides to single axle vs twin axle caravans and 8ft wide caravans cover those decisions in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a special licence to tow a caravan?
Most full UK car licence holders can now tow a caravan without taking the old B+E test, although your exact entitlement depends on your licence history and the weights involved.
Can I exceed the 85% guideline?
Yes, it’s a recommendation rather than a legal limit. You must still stay within all towing, train weight, axle and licence limits.
Where do I find my car’s towing limit?
Check the vehicle handbook, the manufacturer’s specification and the VIN plate. The gross train weight on the VIN plate is especially important.
Need help matching a caravan to your tow car? Speak to your nearest Coachman dealer.
