Towing, am I allowed?

[Ricky_M]

Hoping someone can set the record straight for me as I am getting a lot of conflicting information on the internet.

I am 22, I passed my test in October 2005 and have a standard full car licence.

I am planning to tow a small camping trailer with my Ford Focus.

I thought the law was that after a certain year (1997?) that you had to take a seperate test to allow you to tow, but I've read elsewhere that you can tow a trailer aslong as some weight restriction is followed?

So which is it?

[daz6215]

If you pass your test after 1st Jan 97 you can drive a vehichle upto 3.5t with a 750kg trailer, however the 750kg may be exceeded providing the MAM (combined weight of both) does not exceed 3.5t and the trailer MUST not exceed the unladen kerb weight of the vehicle which is doing the towing, towing also includes towing other vehicles by the way!

[Ricky_M]

So I should be ok then?

Just checked the specs for my car, Permissible Gross Weight is 1670KG, towing capacity is 1200KG.

Does that mean I can tow upto 1200KG even with a full payload?

If yes, in theory the total vehicle weight could be 2870kg and I could legally drive this?

Sorry if these are stupid questions, but I'm new to all this towing stuff and don't want to land myself in trouble!

[Eggman]

Have you considered inspecting the back of your driving licence to see what groups are on there?

[Ricky_M]

I have B and B1, which I assume is car and vans upto 3.5T GVW? Thats why I'm asking here, as the rules are not very clear and I'm getting conflicting info elsewhere!

[Eggman]

Click here and all will become clear.

[Ricky_M]

Brilliant, thanks both of you for your help.

[daz6215]

Ricky the permissable gross weight is not the unladen kerb weight of the vehicle, the unladen kerb weight should be on your plate or in your handbook, the unladen kerb weight is what the vehicle weighs with no cargo or passengers with a full tank of fuel. So for example if your vehicles weighs 1200kg empty and your trailer is plated to 1300kg then b+e will be required even though it's under 3500kg.

take a look at this site for some useful info

http://www.ntta.co.uk/law/law/driving_licences.asp...

Darren

Edited by daz6215 on Friday 14th January 20:38