In order to legally drive a caravan, you’ll need to have a caravan driving license. This license is a specialized license that covers combination vehicles up to four tonnes.
It was developed by the CIVD and the European Caravan Federation (ECF) and was introduced in the third Driving Licence Directive in 2013. It allows you to upgrade from a three-tonne combination vehicle to a four-tonne combination without further tests. In Germany, 52,400 B96 driving licenses have been issued since 2013.
Towing a caravan with a car with a combined MAM of more than 3,500kg
Towing a caravan with a car is still legal for people who passed their driving test before 1 January 1997, but after this date, you’ll need to pass a car and trailer driving test. If you’ve passed your test since then, you can tow up to 3,500kg of a caravan or trailer. Until the changes take effect on 16 December 2021, you’ll need to get a new license if you’re planning on towing a caravan.
You should also check your vehicle and trailer’s tyre tread depths before setting off. Make sure that your tires have a minimum 1.6mm tread depth. If you’re unsure about the towing rules, you can ask an experienced driver, watch videos, and speak to a caravan dealer for advice. Remember that breaking the law can cost you PS2,500 and get you banned from driving for up to six months, so be cautious.
Towing a caravan in a built-up area
Towing a caravan in a built up area can pose a number of problems. First, caravans over 7.5 metres in length require you to drive at a slower speed than the speed of a car. Also, you must leave at least 200m of space between you and the next long vehicle when towing your caravan. In addition, you must also check the brakes on your caravan and the Tyre pressure.
When towing a caravan, you should remember that the rear end of the caravan blocks the view of other road users. This means that reversing can be tricky. It is also necessary to have a helper who can guide you when turning. Reverse maneuvers can be tricky and can result in your caravan running off to one side. So, it is essential that you have the right experience and knowledge to be safe and towing a caravan in a built-up area.
Towing a caravan or trailer on a dual carriageway
The first thing you must remember when towing a caravan is the speed limit. Ideally you should keep the speed down to 50mph on single carriageways, and not go over 60mph on a dual carriageway or motorway. You must also have a valid breakdown cover as recovery of a broken caravan or trailer can be costly and time consuming. It is also essential to empty both the fresh and waste water tanks of your car before you hit the road, and you must make sure that your caravan’s indicators are in working order.
The speed limit for towing a caravan or trailer on a single carriageway is 50mph. If you do exceed this speed limit, you could cause traffic to back up behind you. The legal speed limit is 50mph, and you should not exceed this speed limit on a dual carriageway. You can find more information about caravan and trailer safety by reading a monthly magazine or subscribe to a free weekly newsletter.
Towing a caravan with a car with a combined
You may be wondering if you can tow a caravan with a car with combines driving license. The truth is, you can! Your driving license determines the categories you’re eligible to drive. Maximum Authorized Mass, or MAM, is the maximum weight your vehicle can legally tow. Drivers with a category B+E licenses are restricted to towing loads under 8,250kg MAM or three thousand pounds of weight.
If you have a full car license, you can legally tow a caravan as long as the combined weight of the trailer is under 3,500kg. A car license that is at least a B+E category is sufficient, and the combination is under 750kg MAM. However, if you plan to tow a caravan that weighs over three thousand kilograms, you will need to upgrade your license.
