SMMT Guide on Trailer & Towing Restrictions > Driving Licence

Driving Licence

Only drivers with full driving licences are allowed to tow trailers. Provisional B category licence holders are not allowed to tow.

Licences issued to drivers who passed their car driving test before 1st January 1997 include categories B+E and C1+E which gives them the entitlement to drive motor vehicles up to 7500kg MAM and to tow a trailer providing that the combination of the towing vehicle and trailer does not exceed 8250kg.

Drivers who passed their test on or after this date have category B entitlement only, which restricts the entitlement to motor vehicles with up to eight passenger seats and an MAM of up to 3500kg with trailers up to 750kg MAM (4250kg combined), or larger trailers provided the combination of the trailer and towing vehicle does not exceed 3500kg and the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

If they wish to tow trailers which cause these limits to be exceeded, these drivers have to pass an additional test to show that they can competently handle a trailer.

Passing the B+E test entitles drivers to tow trailers up to 3500kg MAM with vehicles up to 3500kg MAM.

Passing the next level of test (C1+E) will entitle the new driver to drive vehicles up to 7500kg MAM with trailers up to 4500kg MAM provided the MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle.

Young drivers between 18 and 21 years will be allowed to take the test but will be restricted to vehicles or combinations up to 7500kg until they reach the age of 21, at which time the combined weight of 12000kg will become effective automatically.

Note also that drivers who passed their car test before 1st January 1997 and obtained the C1+E entitlement automatically will continue to be restricted to a maximum combined weight of 8250kg unless they pass the C1+E test.

Similar restrictions apply to licences for driving a minibus: DI covers a minibus with between 9 and 16 passenger seats with a trailer up to 750kg MAM and D1   +E allows larger trailers.

Other changes were introduced on 1 January 1997 for drivers of heavy goods vehicles. They are not covered here as they are generally outside the scope of the guide. However, drivers who obtained their C or D category licence following a test taken on or after 1 April 1991 should be aware that since 1st January 1997 they have been restricted to towing trailers up to 750kg MAM until they have passed the C1+E test.

See DVLA fact sheet INF30 for further details.

The above restrictions are for driver licensing purposes only. Vehicle manufacturers recommendations or plated weights must also be complied with.