SUMMER is upon us and you may be planning to head out on a caravan holiday.
However, it's important that you know the rules when it comes to caravanning. Here is what you need to know about towing laws.
Is it illegal for passengers to ride in a caravan when it's being towed?
Yes, it is against the law to ride in a towed caravan.
It is vital that weight is equally distributed when a caravan is on the move.
Any sort of weight imbalance could lead to a crash.
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Safeguard UK says riding in a caravan while it is being towed is "reckless".
The website explains: "This is illegal and is an extremely reckless thing to do, as it could endanger your life and the lives of your passengers and other road users.
"It’s so vital to ensure that your caravan is stable at all times when it’s being towed.
"Any unexpected shift in weight could potentially cause a lethal accident."
And according to Saga "a caravan is a relatively flimsy shell," meaning in the event of an accident anyone travelling inside the caravan would be completely unprotected.
What is the penalty for breaking towing laws?
The penalty for breaking towing laws - which is using a vehicle in a dangerous condition - could be a hefty fine and even points on your licence or a driving ban.
You can be fined up to £2,500, get three points on your licence and even face a driving ban.
What are the laws and when did they come into affect?
Changes to vehicle towing weights were implemented in December 2021.
The law change means that drivers who passed their tests after January, 1, 1997 are allowed to tow heavier caravans.
The rule changes mean that anyone with a full driver’s licence is allowed to tow a trailer or caravan up to a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500kg.
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The previous towing limit for those who completed their driving licence after January, 1, 1997 was 750kg.
If they wanted to tow something heavier, they had to take a separate test known as the car and trailer driving test.
What does the AA say?
AA spokesperson Luke Bodset said: "Key to these changes was the creation of non-compulsory courses which people can opt to take, potentially with cheaper insurance as the incentive.
"Even with the new rules delayed, it still makes sense for less-experienced drivers to approach trailer training companies and pay for a private session to reinforce their towing skills and confidence.
"Getting it wrong on the open road can be frightening and costly, with potentially tragic consequences in the worst incidents.”
