Overhaulin'

UK horse trailer laws ?

Here's some fun - I know laws for towing trailers have been changed in some way fairly recently but have no clue how that effects me. I have never needed to tow a trailer but I have one that my horses won't even fit into. I'm planning to do a car boot sale - use the trailer for transport of all the stuff and ( hopefully) sell the trailer while I'm at it. Just don't want to fall foul of new regs while I'm at it. It's a twin wheel single horse Rice trailer, my car is a 2 litre Volvo estate and I've been driving for over 20 years. ( The stuff I'll be towing is nowhere near the weight of a horse)

Public Comments

1. As you passed your test after 1st January 1997, you have what is classed as "grandfather's rights" - meaning your licence allows you to do things that newer drivers cannot. If you have a card licence, check the back of it and you will see all the category's listed. It will include Category B+E, which is what is required to tow a trailer over 750KG and/or a braked trailer. Check the towing capacity of your car, however - my 1.4TDI Ibiza can tow up to 1000kg so your car should be comfortable towing between 1500kg and 2000kg (the towing capacity will be in the handbook, or if you type the make and model into google you should be able to find it). Unless you're selling 140 farrier's anvils, you won't be over your towing capacity! In order to be roadworthy, your trailer should have rear lights, brake lights and indicators which must all work. Trailers aren't required to have reverse lights, and most don't so just be aware when you are reversing that people behind you may not realise you're coming backwards. If your trailer doesn't have lights attached, you'll need to get a towing board - you can get these from most car shops or Halfords etc. Make sure the number plate written on the trailer board/attached to the trailer matches your car or you'll be pulled for it. So, in short, you can take the trailer along without a worry provided it's lit up and the reg plate matches! Happy car booting, hope you sell everything :D
2. I am not in the UK, but I did find this site that may be helpful to you: http://www.towinghorsetrailers.co.uk/index.htm