Cat. B (jeep, car etc.) with Trailer
Call us for lessons towing a trailer
Below are details of requirements for towing trailers
Note: you are not allowed to tow any trailer on a Cat B Provisional Permit.
There are specific rules for the driving licence you must have and the brakes your trailer must have depending on trailer type. Trailers are classified by their weight when they are carrying a load, which is called the Design Gross Vehicle Weight (DGVW) or maximum mass.
Trailer categories:
O1 Trailers = DGVW less than 0.75 tonnes. This includes small car trailers.
O2 Trailers = DGVW between 0.75 and 3.5 tonnes. This includes larger trailers, horseboxes and most caravans.
O3 Trailers = DGVW between 3.5 and 10 tonnes.
O4 Trailers = DGVW over 10 tonnes. This includes heavy trailers and articulated or semi-trailers.
Driving Licence requirements
The licence required will depend on what type of towing vehicle you are driving, i.e., whether you are using a car, a truck or a bus.
Towing an O1 or an O2 trailer with a car, 4x4 or a small van
With an ordinary category B licence, a person can:
Tow a trailer of up to 0.75 tonnes DGVW, with a vehicle with a DGVW of up to 3.5 tonnes and seating for up to eight passengers (apart from the driver). The combination weight cannot exceed 4.25 tonnes.
Tow a trailer exceeding 0.75 tonnes DGVW, provided that the DGVW of the trailer does not exceed
the un-laden weight of the towing vehicle, and the maximum combination weight does not exceed a
total of 3.5 tonnes.
With an EB licence, a person can:
Tow a trailer exceeding 0.75 tonnes DGVW, with a vehicle with a DGVW of up to 3.5 tonnes and seating for up to eight passengers (apart from the driver) provided that the manufacturer rated towing capacity for the towing vehicle is not exceeded.
For towing O3 and O4 trailers
The licence required will depend on what type of vehicle is being used and the trailer size.
Brake requirementsFor O1 Trailers (DGVW not exceeding 0.75 tonnes)
O1 trailers with a single axle are not obliged to have brakes provided that their DGVW is less than half the DGVW of the towing vehicle.
O1 trailers that have a DGVW greater than half of the DGVW weight of the towing vehicle or that have two or more axles must have brakes fitted.
For O2 Trailers (DGVW between 0.75 & 3.5 tonnes)
All O2 trailers must also have brakes fitted. The braking system must include a parking brake.
If the O2 trailer does not have an automatic breakaway device that activates its brakes should it become detached from the vehicle, then it must be fitted with a secondary coupling consisting of a chain or wire rope.
For O3 & O4 Trailers (DGVW exceeding 3.5 tonnes)
O3 & O4 trailers must be licenced for use on the public road.
plated and undergo an annual roadworthiness test.
fitted with brakes, a secondary or emergency brake and a parking brake, all of which are checked during the roadworthiness test.
Further details are available in the HGV Test Manual
