What is the maximum speed for a car with a trailer?

Towing a trailer or caravan in the UK means lower speed limits than driving the same car alone, plus specific rules on driving licence categories and equipment. Here's what currently applies under UK law.

Towing speed limits

Built-up areas

The standard 30 mph limit applies whether or not you're towing, unless signs say otherwise.

Single carriageways

Towing a trailer or caravan on a single carriageway road, the limit drops to 50 mph, 10 mph below the standard car limit.

Dual carriageways and motorways

On dual carriageways and motorways, towing brings the limit down to 60 mph, compared with 70 mph for a car on its own.

Which licence category do you need?

Since the separate car-and-trailer practical test was withdrawn on 16 December 2021, the rules are:

• Test passed before 1 January 1997: full entitlement to tow combinations up to 8,250 kg MAM (maximum authorised mass) without any extra test.
• Test passed on or after 1 January 1997: a standard category B licence now allows towing a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM, with a car-plus-trailer combination up to 7,000 kg MAM, without needing the old separate B+E test.
• Heavier combinations: beyond these limits, a category C1+E or similar commercial entitlement is required.

Always check gov.uk/towing-with-car for the current official position, as this rule was introduced administratively and could change.

Penalties for speeding while towing

The same national speeding penalties apply whether or not you're towing: a fixed penalty notice carries a £100 fine and 3 penalty points, while a court case can result in a fine of up to £1,000 (up to £2,500 for a motorway offence), plus points or disqualification. Reaching 12 points within 3 years normally leads to a driving ban.

Other things to check before you tow

• Tow bar type approval: the tow bar must be "type approved" (mandatory for cars first used from August 1998).
• Trailer braking: trailers over 750 kg must have a working braking system.
• Size limits: maximum caravan width of 2.55 m and a maximum car-plus-trailer length of 18.75 m.
• Mirrors: if the trailer is wider than the car, extended-arm towing mirrors are required to give an adequate rear view.
• Load distribution: poor weight distribution increases the risk of snaking at higher speeds, particularly on motorways.

Frequently asked questions

What's the motorway speed limit when towing a caravan?
60 mph, 10 mph below the 70 mph limit for a car on its own.

Do I need to pass a separate trailer test to tow?
Not since 16 December 2021. A standard category B licence now covers trailers up to 3,500 kg MAM for most drivers, without a separate B+E test.

Is the towing speed limit the same on a dual carriageway and a motorway?
Yes, both are capped at 60 mph when towing, compared with 70 mph without a trailer.