Drivers risk £2,500 fines over car law which was quietly changed in 2021


Drivers risk £2,500 fines over car law which was quietly changed in 2021

Play all audios:


MOTORISTS FACE £2,500 FINE AND A DRIVING BAN TO BOOT - ALL FOR BREAKING CARAVAN LICENCE RULES ON STREETS AND ROADS UP AND DOWN THE UK, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS. 11:45, 05 Jun 2025 Drivers face


£2,500 fines for breaking a rule that was quietly changed in 2021. Motorists face £2,500 fine AND a driving ban to boot - all for breaking caravan licence rules on streets and roads up and


down the UK, according to experts. Road users in caravans are being told that they need to check their Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) allowance on their driving licence before towing a


caravan, with experts warning not to set off without making sure. In 2021, the law changed to allow drivers who passed their driving test on or after January 1, 1997, to tow trailers


including caravans up to 3,500kg in MAM without needing an additional licence. READ MORE UK FACES 32C HEATWAVE ON 'FIVE DATES' IN JUNE WITH EXACT DAY IT STARTS ANNOUNCED The new


rules simplify things overall and came into place on 16 December 2021. If you passed your test before 1 January 1997, you should still be able to drive a vehicle and trailer combination with


a MAM of up to 8,250kg. Article continues below You should always check your licence before towing a trailer for the first time. If you passed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997,


the new rules state that you’re now allowed to tow trailers up to 3,500kg MAM. You don’t need to do anything to update your licence, the DVLA will do this automatically. The next time you’re


issued a licence, category BE will have been added. Issuing advice on towing a caravan for the first time, experts say: "The first piece of advice is to give yourself plenty of space


and time for each manouvre. You’ll need to be looking further ahead than you would if you were just driving a car in order to give you more time to brake with the extra weight. Article


continues below "You’ll also need to give yourself more room to navigate corners." They add: "Be conscious of the extra weight when you’re accelerating. When you’re towing a


caravan, chances are you’ll accelerate more slowly so you’ll need to bear this in mind when performing manouvres such as joining the motorway. "When on a motorway, you are not allowed


to tow in the outside lane, unless directed to do so in such cases as roadworks or an accident." They say: "Make sure you have good visibility to the rear of your caravan.


"This is a legal requirement and will usually involve using extension mirrors. Having a good set of well-calibrated mirrors will be a great help whatever road you’re on as caravans


completely restrict your rear view in most cases."