Towing a car - laws?

michellez · 4 Apr 2007 at 21:39

Hi,

I've been trying to find out, what by law what is required when towing a car with another car. I'm struggling to find anything.

Can any one advise?

Tax/insurance/reg plate of front car on back car?/all those kind of things.

Thanks guys

Michelle

ineed2upgrade · 5 Apr 2007 at 03:40

do you mean towing a broken down car with either a tow rope or tow bar?
technically you do need your numberplate on the back of the car your towing but you wont get stopped and fined for not having this,just stick hazards on the towed car.insurence wise im not sure,you would have to ask your insurence company,probably be classed same or similar to towing a caravan.
tax wise i dont think it would really matter if the towed car had tax or not although if a cop stops you,you cant say that the car broke down and is being recovered cos then they will do you for no tax on it and maybe if you just say your towing it between places they will say it should be trailered cos it may not be roadworthy ect ect.try the rac/aa websites maybe they got some info

michellez · 5 Apr 2007 at 09:11

Yep. Towing a broken down car with a solid tow bar. Car is insured but not taxed (declared SORN at the moment). Sorry, should have explained more last night.

Tried googling last night and couldn't find anything.. so asked here!

Corasik · 5 Apr 2007 at 11:57

If you do tow a car as a 'trailer' using the proper equipment, you need to have a suitable driving license. Any license issued after 1997 (I believe), only allows a maximum towing weight of 750Kg, which wont cover most cars.

James_N · 5 Apr 2007 at 12:04

Corasik said:
If you do tow a car as a 'trailer' using the proper equipment, you need to have a suitable driving license. Any license issued after 1997 (I believe), only allows a maximum towing weight of 750Kg, which wont cover most cars.

Is it different for caravans then? because as i understand it, i can tow my caravan with my car, as long as the whole outfit doesnt exceed 3.5tons (which it doesnt). Caravan is 1300kgs

James_N · 5 Apr 2007 at 12:09

ratface said:
Fraid not, to tow over 750kg you need to pass another test

Not according to this:

Driving Licences
Drivers who possess only a category B on their licence would be able to tow a caravan provided it was not heavier than their car, and that car and caravan combined, does not weigh more than 3.5 tonnes.
New drivers of outfits over these limits must take a category B + E test.
Further information from: Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA)
www.dvla.gov.uk

So I have a 1500kgs car, and a 890KGS caravan (unladen), 1300KGS fully laden, which by those rules, I am allowed to tow.

Tomsk · 5 Apr 2007 at 12:50

ineed2upgrade said:
do you mean towing a broken down car with either a tow rope or tow bar?
technically you do need your numberplate on the back of the car your towing but you wont get stopped and fined for not having this,just stick hazards on the towed car.insurence wise im not sure,you would have to ask your insurence company,probably be classed same or similar to towing a caravan.
tax wise i dont think it would really matter if the towed car had tax or not although if a cop stops you,you cant say that the car broke down and is being recovered cos then they will do you for no tax on it and maybe if you just say your towing it between places they will say it should be trailered cos it may not be roadworthy ect ect.try the rac/aa websites maybe they got some info

Hazard lights are for stationary vehicels only - http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/08.htm#96

Tax is required for any vehicle on the public highway, regardless of the state of the vehicle. Insurance and MOT will probably also be necessary.

You will need to ensure that your own insurance allows you to tow other vehicles.