New rules about towing a trailer or caravan with a car have been delayed.

The changes were expected to take effect from Monday, November 15.

DVSA’s official notification of the delay gave no reason for the decision. However, there has been notable levels of concern from both the road safety profession and the driver training industry.

On the Government website, the DVSA state that the new towing rules will now be introduced at a “later date, and as soon as possible”.

Originally, the official announcement in September stated that car and trailer driving tests would no longer be required. Driving licence records would be updated automatically when the change came into play. with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) updating driving licence records automatically. Category B+E, it said, would be added to photocard driving licences when they were renewed. Furthermore, tests would no longer be available after September 20, 2021.

These changes were proposed as the government sought to free up driving test appointments, both for learners and HGV candidates.

What are you currently allowed to tow?

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

Your licence allows you to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). It also permits the driving of a minibus with a trailer over 750kg MAM (MAM is the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded).

If you passed your car driving test after January 1, 1997, to January 18, 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 would have had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.

If you passed your car driving test from January 19, 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 the combined MAM of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.

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

What can drivers do until the towing law changes?

Until the law changes, drivers must follow the current, established rules about what you are allowed to tow based on when you passed your car driving test.

You can be fined up to £1,000, be banned from driving and get up to six penalty points on your driving licence if you tow anything heavier before the law changes.