Change in legislation: 3,500kg vehicles and towing trailers

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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Breaking Down the Recent Trailer Towing Rule Changes: What You Need to Know</h2>

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<p>On December 16, 2021, significant changes were introduced regarding the rules for towing a trailer or caravan with a car in the UK. These modifications have implications for both seasoned and new drivers. Let’s dive into how these changes might affect you.</p>

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<p><strong>Towing Rules Before December 16, 2021</strong></p>

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<li>Licences issued before 1 January 1997:<br>If you passed your car driving test before January 1, 1997, these changes do not affect you. You were permitted to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8250kg maximum authorized mass (MAM) or a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM.</li>

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<li>Licences issued from 1 January 1997 to 18 January 2013:<br>If you obtained your license in this period, you could drive a car or van up to 3500kg MAM towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4250kg total weight). Towing anything heavier required passing a car and trailer driving test.</li>

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<li>Licences issued from 19 January 2013:<br>If your license was acquired after this date, you had similar allowances as the previous category, with the condition that the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle did not exceed 3500kg.</li>

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<p><strong>Changes Introduced on 16 December 2021</strong></p>

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<p>For those who passed their car driving test from January 1, 1997, significant amendments have come into play:</p>

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<p>You're now allowed to tow trailers with a maximum MAM of 3500kg. To understand if your car is suitable for this, consult your car's handbook to determine its gross train weight (GTW). GTW is the total allowable weight of the car plus the trailer plus the load.</p>

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<p>The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) will automatically update your driving license record to reflect this change, adding category BE to your driving licence when you next apply for a new one.</p>

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<p>However, if you passed your car driving test before January 1, 1997, these changes do not impact you, and you can continue operating within the previous regulations.</p>

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<p>These updates aim to enhance towing capabilities for drivers, ensuring a smoother and more informed towing experience on the roads of the UK. Stay informed and drive safely!</p>

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<p>Source - <a href="<https://bit.ly/46IPkeU>" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><https://bit.ly/46IPkeU></a></p>

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