I’m a car expert – towing safety tips you need to know to avoid a £2,500 fine

A CAR expert has revealed important towing safety tips that motorists need to know this summer to avoid risking a £2,500 fine.

Whether you are planning to tow a caravan, a trailer, a horsebox, or a boat, it’s vital to first follow some basic tips to ensure you stay as safe as possible and protect other road users.

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Government advice is that your trailer or caravan must meet certain safety standards and be used correctly at all times – while you could be fined up to £2,500, get 3 penalty points or even be banned from driving for using a vehicle in a dangerous condition.

Luckily, experts at Auto Express have produced a towing guide and outlined some points to follow so that you’re towing safely and legally.

Tow bars

If you are purchasing a tow bar for your car, it must be type-approved – this means that it has been approved for use in the UK and EU and is suitable for your vehicle. 

This does not apply, however, if the vehicle was first used before 1 August 1998.

Towing mirrors

It is also important to fit extended towing mirrors if your rear visibility is obstructed – such as when towing a horsebox or a caravan.

If you fail to do so you could be fined up to £1,000 and receive 3 penalty points on your licence. 

Number plates

A number plate also needs to be fitted to the trailer, and this must match the towing vehicle’s registration number at all times. 

Weight

Ensure that the trailer load weight is evenly spread out as this will help to avoid unstable handling and any excessive wear on the wheels and tyres.

Length

The maximum length for a trailer towed by a vehicle weighing up to 3,500kg is 7 metres. 

The maximum width for a trailer towed by any vehicle is 2.55 metres.

Since December 2021, drivers have been able to tow a caravan or trailer up to 3,500kg without any additional training.

So if you’re looking to hitch up this summer, it’d be wise to look into some tuition from an accredited provider.