The DVLA has issued a new warning to motorists over a major law change coming into effect this Monday.
Motorists who passed their driving test after January 1 1997 will be affected by the law change, according to BirminghamLive.
New rules on what you're allowed to tow will come into force on November 15 and this will have a major impact for anyone planning a camping holiday.
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From Monday, drivers who passed their test after the 1997 date will be able to tow trailers and caravans up to 3,500kg without any extra checks.
Under current driving rules, motorists who passed their test after this date had to go through an extra car and trailer test to tow anything heavier.
From Monday, the DVLA will update your licence to show you’re legally allowed to tow trailers and the category 'BE' will be added to your driving licence when you next get a new photocard.
Car and trailer driving tests were stopped on September of this year which means you can no longer book or take a car and trailer driving test.
Current rules mean that, depending on when you passed your driving test, you are limited on what you can pull behind your car without taking a test.
The DVLA has warned drivers need to continue to follow the current rules before November 15 or face a £1,000 fine.
What people are currently allowed to tow:
If you passed your car driving test before January 1 1997, you will not be affected by the changes.
People with these licences are usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg. You’re also allowed to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kg.
If you passed your car driving test from January 1, 1997 to January 18, 2013, you can currently drive a car or van up to 3,500kg towing a trailer of up to 750kg MAM (up to 4,250kg in total).
You can also drive a trailer over 750kg, as long as it is no more than the unladen weight of the towing vehicle (up to 3,500kg in total).
In order to tow anything heavier, you will have had to pass a car and trailer driving test.
If you passed your car driving test from January 19 2013, you can currently drive a car or van up to 3,500kg, towing a trailer of up to 750kg (up to 4,250kg in total).
You will also be able to drive a trailer over 750kg as long as the combined weight of the trailer and towing vehicle is no more than 3,500kg.
You would have had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.
Jonathan White, Legal and Compliance Director at National Accident Helpline said: “We are urging people to take extra care and follow important safety rules when towing a caravan or trailer this time of year.
“While we understand the new changes to the law, we’re also concerned that the freedom to tow a caravan or trailer for the first time could present additional risk.
"Without formal training, paired with a shift to ‘staycations’ we’re calling on first time users to be responsible and extra vigilant."
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at The Automobile Association, said: "The Government's intention is to create a non-compulsory course which people can opt to take, but doing so may lead to cheaper insurance.
"My guess is that even if this doesn't become reality, drivers could still approach trailer training companies and pay for a private session to provide training and confidence to those that want it."
