19 June 2024 , 13:51
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Experts have issued a vital warning to owners of caravans and motorhomes at the start of the holiday season.
Drivers are being urged to inspect their vehicles and ensure they're acquainted with updated legal requirements or risk facing sizable charges, as steep as £2,500. In light of legal modifications in 2021, holders of a full driving licence are now certified to tow caravans as long as the total maximum permitted mass (MAM) of both caravan and automobile doesn't exceed 3,500kg - no extra qualifications required, reports Bristol Live.
A Swansway spokesperson said: "Since not all caravans fit within this category, be sure to check the weight of your caravan to confirm you are permitted to tow it with a standard licence. If you got your driving licence before January 1, 1997, you can tow a larger caravan with a combined vehicle and caravan weight limit of up to 8.25 tonnes MAM, without needing an extra driving qualification.
"We recommend you check the details on the back of your driving licence; if it lists category B or BE, you are authorised to drive caravans up to 3,500kg. If you find Category C1E(107) on your licence, you can tow larger trailers.
"Caravan lights are less frequently used than car lights and are checked much less as a result. This makes it much easier to overlook faults but driving with a faulty light can lead to fines up to £2,500, a driving ban, and 3 points on your licence for operating a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
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"Caravan tyres may also not get inspections as often as they should. Tyres can lose pressure over time, especially if the caravan has been stationary for months. Before setting off on a particularly long journey, be sure to check tyres for air pressure, signs of damage, and tread depth of at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference.
"Having any of these below the legal limit can invalidate insurance, and result in a fine of up to £2,500 per tyre, and three points on your licence. When towing a caravan, specific speed limits and lane usage rules apply. On motorways, the speed limit for a caravan is 60 mph. The right-hand lane is also off-limits for caravans if the road has three or more lanes.
"On single carriageways, the speed limit is 50 mph to maintain vehicle stability. Not adhering to these regulations can result in a £100 fine and three points."