Towing?

Rich1988

Rich1988

Rich1988

Soldato
Joined
8 Jan 2005
Posts
6,453
Location
wiltshire
I know being I have a newer licence I can only tow up to 750kg, I am planning on towing a big trailer with max gross weight of 641 so thats fine and the lights work as well, what I was wondering about is the number plate, is it ok to say just get a bit of cardboard and in permant marker write it on and stick it on the back? I assumed it would be since I have seen it quite a lot just want to clarify!
Cheers
 
You won't get pulled if you do it, although I'm not sure of the actual legality of it. Me and my mates used to tow our bikes by trailer every weekend with permanent marker numberplates (or quite often the wrong numberplate) and never got pulled once.
 
Rich1988 said:
is it ok to say just get a bit of cardboard and in permant marker write it on and stick it on the back? I assumed it would be since I have seen it quite a lot just want to clarify!
Cheers
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No it isn't ok, Plod will get you (fat chance in reality tbh)

You need a proper plate ,illuminated with the regular lights at the back (brake lights indicators etc)

As I say, in reality, you'd probably get away with no plate at all!
 
R124/LA420 said:
No it isn't ok, Plod will get you (fat chance in reality tbh)

You need a proper plate ,illuminated with the regular lights at the back (brake lights indicators etc)

As I say, in reality, you'd probably get away with no plate at all!
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couldnt see anything on there about plates?? also It does have working brake and indicators
 
R124/LA420 said:
No it isn't ok, Plod will get you (fat chance in reality tbh)

You need a proper plate ,illuminated with the regular lights at the back (brake lights indicators etc)

As I say, in reality, you'd probably get away with no plate at all!
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R124/LA420 is correct. I hired a vehicle trailer form a local firm some years ago and they would not let me take it until I had a legal plate on the trailer. In those days I was able to get a 'stick' on plate, but they are illegal now as they don't conform to the letter of the law. Basically the plate has to be readable by one of the many number plate reading camera's without operator intervention. If you pas one and the operator has to read your plate manually you are nicked.

Always amazes me when I visit the US and see all sorts of cars from old wrecks to expensive imports running around with no plates. Very strange.
 
Nah you need a proper number plate (reflective etc.)

they don't cost much more than a tenner anyway - it's worth it so you don't have to worry about being pulled all the time...

Also, when did they change the license? I've had mine for almost 10 years... and I've towed a few things over 750kg (other cars mainly)....
 
MikeHunt79 said:
Nah you need a proper number plate (reflective etc.)

they don't cost much more than a tenner anyway - it's worth it so you don't have to worry about being pulled all the time...

Also, when did they change the license? I've had mine for almost 10 years... and I've towed a few things over 750kg (other cars mainly)....
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On a 'popular auction site' you can get a plate for less than that and without mucking about with all the documentation that your local car parts store will have to ask for.

The driving license law changed on 1st Jan 1997. If you obtained your Category B license after that date (i.e. passed your car test) you are limited to an all up weight (tow vehicle plus trailer plus load) of 3500 kg and the weight of the trailer and it's load must not exceed that of the tow vehicle. So if you tow with a car of 1500 kg say, the limit is actually 3000 kg.

To tow a heavier vehicle you have to pass a test for a Class E license.

The 750 kg limit only applies if the tow vehicle is a Motor Caravan.
 
[TW]Fox;10569971 said:
1997.
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Damn, I got mine in 1998. :( Still I don't plan on towing anything in the near future.... I'll keep it in mind tho... :)

Towing a Pug 405 using a Pug 205 was quite funny at the time tho. :D

EDIT: Just seen the post above, look like I'll be able to tow the odd car legally. Nice! :)
 
[TW]Fox;10570135 said:
And also quite illegal and quite dangerous.
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Well I didn't know it was illegal... :o I'm guessing there must be some maximum weight my car can could tow and I exceeded it? :confused:

Anyway, the car being towed had working brakes and I used a good tow-rope, and took it steady... I didn't really find it dangerous, but I wouldn't want to do it often. I was just rescuing a mate who fell victim of the infamous French reliability (or lack of). :D
 
[TW]Fox;10570336 said:
Oh it had a tow rope? We are discussing towing with a trailer.
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My bad. :o Tow rope yep, no trailer involved.

I'm not really very clued up on towing, and just wanted to check I would be legally ok if I have to rescue any other cars in the future... looks like I'm in the clear. :)
 
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