The law has changed for drivers towing a trailer with a car.
Drivers who passed their car driving test from January 1, 1997 are now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM (the limit on how much the vehicle can weigh when it’s loaded).
The car’s handbook states the car’s gross train weight (GTW) which is the total allowable weight of the car plus the trailer plus the load.
DVLA will automatically update driving licence records to show that drivers are allowed to tow trailers.
The category BE will be added to a driving licence when people get a new photocard driving licence.
Those who passed their car driving test before January 1, 1997 are not affected by the change.
The DVLA recommends that people driving a car and trailer for the first time take training from a driving instructor.
Car and trailer driving tests have now stopped so they can no longer be booked.
These new rules which came into force on December 16 apply to England, Scotland and Wales – there are different rules for towing in Northern Ireland.