From time to time I get asked about towing and it turns out there is a lot of confusion about the law on what you can tow after passing your L test.
Without going into huge detail, this should answer some questions, based on someone who has passed their car test since 1997.
Can I tow a small camping trailer?
Yes, as long as you check the cars unbraked towing limit. The trailer will have a maximum weight of 750kgs or less.
Can I tow a small to medium sized caravan?
Maybe.
Can I tow a large twin wheeled caravan?
Probably not.
Can I tow a horse box?
Probably not if it is designed to take two horses. Maybe if it is designed to take one pony but probably not.
The reasons
The main factors that become critical are the maximum authorised weight of the trailer and the maximum weight the car can tow. For the purpose of these regulations all trailers/caravans have a maximum authorised mass (MAM). This weight is the one that is used for the calculation regardless of its's actual weight (in other words - even if it's empty)
A small trailer with no braking system can be towed by most cars. You will need to check the car's handbook or chassis plate for the weight permissible to be towed.
A small to medium sized caravan will have a braking system so can be over 750kg. Most of these caravans have a MAM that falls into a towable weight for a reasonable size car but the numbers need to be carefully checked. "Category B vehicles (cars) with larger trailers i.e. more than 750kg can be towed provided that the combined Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) does not exceed 3.5 tonnes and the gross MAM of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the towing vehicle."
Get in touch if you are unsure whether you can legally tow your trailer, I am happy to run through the numbers with you.
Want to tow a horse box or caravan?
If you want or need to tow a trailer that falls outside these boundaries you will need to pass an additional test (B+E). This allows you to tow trailers up to 3500 Kgs authorised mass. This covers horse boxes, caravans and utility trailers.
The test is based on the lorry driving test and does require some extra training for most car drivers.
I don't currently have trailer training courses available but can put you in touch with someone who does.