A practical legal checklist for towing a trailer in the UK
Towing a trailer in the UK comes with legal responsibilities around licence entitlement, number plates, lights, brakes, and safe loading. This page gives you a clear legal checklist to help you stay road legal and tow with confidence.
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Quick answer: what do I legally need to tow a trailer?
- A roadworthy trailer with working lights and reflectors
- A number plate on the trailer that matches the towing vehicle
- Brakes where required by trailer weight and a correctly fitted breakaway cable on braked trailers
- A towing vehicle capable of towing the actual loaded trailer weight
- Correct licence entitlement for your vehicle and trailer combination
- A safe load that is secured properly and within weight limits
If you want to go deeper on plated weights, actual weight, and real world examples, use our dedicated guide below.
Read the towing limits and weights guideAt a glance: what makes a trailer road legal
A simple checklist of the areas most likely to cause problems during checks or inspections.
Number plate
Matches the towing vehicle and is clearly visible
Lights
Indicators, brake lights, tail lights, and plate light working
Reflectors
Correct, visible, and not damaged
Brakes and breakaway
Brakes where required and a correctly fitted breakaway cable on braked trailers
Towbar and coupling
Suitable, correctly fitted, and rated for the load
Loading
Load secured, balanced, and within vehicle limits
If you are unsure about any part of your setup, speak to the GT Towing team before you tow.
Weights and licence: the legal essentials
Trailer legality often comes down to whether you are towing within your vehicle limits and whether your licence entitlement allows the combination. Rather than repeating the full explanation here, we recommend using our dedicated guide which covers plated weight vs actual weight, licence categories, and real world examples.
Need to check your limits?
Use our towing limits guide to confirm what you can tow legally and safely.
Understanding towing limits and weightsTip: what matters on the road is the actual loaded weight and your vehicle towing limits.
Number plates on trailers
The number plate on the rear of the trailer must match the towing vehicle and must be clearly visible. Number plates must also follow standard UK rules on font, spacing, and reflectivity.
Checklist
- Correct registration matching the towing vehicle
- Correct size, spacing, and standard UK font
- Clearly visible and securely fixed
- Illuminated at night where required
Practical tip
If your trailer plate is loose, faded, or hard to read, replace it before you tow. Incorrect plates are a common reason for roadside stops.
For official guidance, see GOV.UK number plate rules.
Trailer lights and reflectors
Your trailer must have the correct lights and reflectors and they must work correctly every time you tow. Requirements can vary depending on trailer size and build date, but the safest approach is to ensure your trailer lighting is fully functional and compliant.
Core lighting checklist
- Indicators, brake lights, and tail lights working correctly
- Reflectors in good condition and visible
- Number plate light working so the plate is readable at night
- Correct plug and socket connection with no corrosion or loose pins
Quick win
Do a walk around light check before every journey. Lights are one of the most common causes of towing problems and they are usually easy to fix.
Brakes and breakaway cables
As a simple rule, trailers over 750kg MAM require brakes. Braked trailers should also have a correctly fitted breakaway cable that applies the trailer brakes if the trailer becomes detached.
Breakaway cable basics
- Clip or fix the cable to a proper attachment point on the towing vehicle
- Allow enough slack for turning, but do not let it drag on the road
- Avoid looping around the towball unless you have no dedicated attachment point
If your vehicle has a dedicated breakaway eye, use it. If you are unsure, ask the team and we will show you the correct setup.
Further guidance is available from the National Trailer and Towing Association.
Towbar, coupling, and towing setup
Your towbar and coupling must be suitable for the trailer you are towing and fitted correctly. If a towbar is incorrectly installed or unsuitable for the load, it can lead to unsafe handling and legal issues. If you are unsure, get the setup checked before towing.
What to check
- Towbar is rated for the required towing weight
- Electrics are correct and all lights work
- Coupling locks securely and indicators show correctly
- Nose weight is within vehicle and towbar limits
If you want certainty
Book a towbar check or fitting with our workshop team. We can confirm ratings, electrics, and safe towing setup.
Speed limits when towing
Cars towing trailers have lower national speed limits than cars alone. In England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland the typical limits are 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways, and 50mph on single carriageways, unless signs show otherwise.
Always follow local signage and drive to the conditions. For official guidance, see GOV.UK speed limits.
Loading, securing the load, and staying roadworthy
UK law requires trailers used on the road to be safe and roadworthy. There is no MOT for most light trailers, so the responsibility sits with the driver and operator.
Loading and securing checklist
- Do not overload the trailer or exceed vehicle towing limits
- Distribute weight evenly and keep heavy items low and centred
- Secure the load with rated straps and suitable anchor points
- Check tyre pressures and tyre condition before long journeys
- Check wheel nuts, coupling, and breakaway cable routing
For a full step by step guide to safely securing a vehicle, see how to strap a car or van to a trailer securely .
Tip from the workshop
If the trailer feels unstable, snatches under braking, or the rear of the vehicle feels light, stop and reassess the load and nose weight before continuing.
Frequently asked questions
Do trailers need an MOT in the UK?
Most light trailers do not have an MOT requirement, but they must still be roadworthy. Police and DVSA can inspect trailers at the roadside and issue penalties if they are unsafe.
When do I need trailer brakes?
As a rule, trailers over 750kg MAM require brakes. Braked trailers must be maintained so braking performance is safe and predictable.
What are the speed limits when towing?
Typical limits are 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways, and 50mph on single carriageways, unless signage says otherwise. Always drive to the conditions.
Do I need a separate number plate for my trailer?
The trailer must display the same registration as the towing vehicle. It must be clearly visible and meet UK number plate rules.
Helpful resources
Still unsure? We are here to help
If you are unsure whether your towing setup is legal or safe, speak to our experienced team. We deal with these questions every day.
This guide is intended as general information. Always check your vehicle handbook, trailer documentation, and current DVLA and DVSA guidance if you are unsure.
Important legal notice
The information on this page is provided as a general guide to UK trailer requirements and best practice. While we aim to keep it accurate and up to date, laws and official guidance can change. You are responsible for ensuring your vehicle, trailer, and load are within legal limits and safe to tow.