# Towing Capacity Checker

> How much can my car tow? Check your licence, the trailer's MAM and your car's towing limit against the gov.uk rules for a clear can-you-tow verdict.

## Key facts

- Since 16 December 2021, every full category B licence holder in the UK can tow a trailer up to 3,500kg MAM, whatever date they passed their test.
- A car's towing capacity is the gross train weight on its VIN plate minus its gross vehicle weight; if no gross train weight is listed, the manufacturer says it must not tow.
- A trailer must have a working brake system if it weighs over 750kg when loaded, however strong the tow car; gov.uk adds that an unbraked trailer should also not weigh more than 50% of the car's weight.

## Key pages

- [How much can my car tow? Towing capacity checker](https://towingcapacitychecker.co.uk/): the main tool, answer above the fold.
- [What can I tow on my licence? UK towing licence rules](https://towingcapacitychecker.co.uk/towing-licence-rules/): What can I tow on my licence? From 1 January 1997, a trailer up to 3,500kg MAM; before 1997, up to 8,250kg combined. Plus UK towing laws and speed limits.
- [Towing capacity by reg: what a number plate can tell you](https://towingcapacitychecker.co.uk/how-to-find-towing-capacity/): Towing capacity by reg: GOV.UK's vehicle enquiry service shows no towing limit, so here is where the braked figure really is, on the VIN plate and in the handbook.
- [Caravan weights explained: MTPLM, MIRO, payload and the 85% rule](https://towingcapacitychecker.co.uk/caravan-weights-explained/): What MTPLM, MIRO, payload and noseweight mean for UK caravanners, how to match a caravan to your car's towing limit, and where the advisory 85% rule fits in.
- [Towing weights for cars: the UK rules at a glance](https://towingcapacitychecker.co.uk/#data): original data table, updated 2026-08-15.
- [Full site content as markdown](https://towingcapacitychecker.co.uk/llms-full.txt)

## Data

- Towing weights for cars: the UK rules at a glance. Methodology: Compiled from gov.uk/towing-with-car (including its weight-and-width and towing-equipment sections) and gov.uk's towing safety checks guidance, read on 15 August 2026. Licence rows reflect the 16 December 2021 rule change. The 85% row is a towing rule of thumb: it has no statutory basis and we could not find an official published source for it, so it is labelled as a rule of thumb rather than sourced.
- Last updated: 2026-08-15. Every figure cites its source inline.
- Source: gov.uk, towing with a car: https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car
- Source: gov.uk, towing weight and width limits: https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/weight-and-width-limits
- Source: gov.uk, trailers, caravans and towing equipment (the 750kg braking rule): https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/trailer-and-towing-equipment
- Source: gov.uk, tow a trailer or caravan with a car: safety checks: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tow-a-trailer-with-a-car-safety-checks
- Source: gov.uk, towing: licence and age requirements: https://www.gov.uk/towing-rules
- Source: Highway Code, Annex 5: penalties: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/annex-5-penalties
- Source: Highway Code, motorways (rule 265): https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/motorways-253-to-273
- Source: gov.uk, view your driving licence information: https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence

## Citation

Cite as: "Towing weights for cars: the UK rules at a glance", Towing Capacity Checker, https://towingcapacitychecker.co.uk/ (updated 2026-08-15).

## About

- Towing Capacity Checker is an information site. It is not affiliated with DVLA, DVSA or any government body, and its verdicts are guidance, not legal advice or a legal determination. Towing entitlements and vehicle limits vary by licence and vehicle variant: confirm yours at gov.uk/towing-with-car and on your car's plate before towing.
- Operated by towingcapacitychecker.co.uk. Contact: contact@towingcapacitychecker.co.uk