Hundreds of thousands of British caravan enthusiasts could be unwittingly driving illegally and facing severe penalties due to a little-known change in towing legislation, an exclusive investigation can reveal.
The law regarding what you can legally tow underwent a significant but poorly communicated change in December 2021, creating a potential trap for countless drivers who passed their standard car test after 1997.
The Hidden Licence Rule Millions Have Missed
Prior to the rule change, drivers who passed their standard category B test after 1 January 1997 were restricted to towing trailers up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) without requiring an additional test. However, a new entitlement was quietly introduced that many remain unaware of.
Drivers who passed their test after 1 January 1997 must now specifically check their photocard driving licence to see if category B+E is listed. If it's not present, they are legally prohibited from towing caravans or trailers that exceed specific weight limits.
Severe Consequences for Unaware Drivers
The penalties for non-compliance are severe and far-reaching:
- On-the-spot fines of £1,000 for using a vehicle not in accordance with your licence
- Up to 6 penalty points on your driving licence
- Invalidated insurance policies in the event of an accident
- Potential prosecution for driving without valid insurance
"Most drivers assume that because they have a full driving licence, they can tow a caravan," explained a DVLA spokesperson. "But the reality is more complex, and it's the driver's responsibility to check their specific entitlements."
How to Check Your Licence Status
To avoid these severe penalties, drivers should immediately:
- Check the reverse of your photocard driving licence
- Look for category B+E in the entitlements section
- If absent, you may need to take an additional test to tow heavier trailers
- Consult the official government website for current weight limits
The Department for Transport estimates that millions of drivers could be affected by this rule change, with many continuing to tow caravans and trailers completely unaware of their illegal status.
Caravan industry experts are calling for better public awareness campaigns. "We're concerned that responsible owners are being caught out by a rule change that wasn't sufficiently publicised," said a spokesperson for the National Caravan Council.
With summer holiday season approaching, thousands of families planning caravan trips could be at risk of unexpected fines and legal complications that could turn their holiday dreams into a bureaucratic nightmare.
