Caravan owners warned of £2,500 fine for failing to check essential details

Caravan owners are being warned they face fines of up to £2,500 for breaking important rules. Many caravan owners are preparing to go on trips around the UK as the summer weather approaches.

But experts at Swansway Motor Group are urging caravan owners to make sure they are aware of the rules they need to follow when hitting the roads. Violation of the rules can lead to huge fines.

There are a number of things campervan owners should check before going on holiday – including the essential driving license check. Here we look at the rules that caravan owners must follow.

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Towing a caravan

A change to the law in 2021 means that anyone with a full driving license can tow a caravan without additional qualifications, provided the vehicle and caravan meet the requirements. But owners should check the weight of their caravan to make sure there are no problems, The Sun reports.

Swansway Motor Group said: “Following a change to the law in 2021, anyone holding a full driving license can now tow a caravan as long as the combined maximum permissible mass (MWM) of both the vehicle and the caravan does not exceed 3,500kg , with no additional qualifications. However, as not all caravans fall into this category, be sure to check the weight of your caravan to confirm that you are allowed to tow it with a standard licence.

“If you obtained your driving license before 1 January 1997, you can tow a larger caravan with a combined vehicle and caravan weight limit of up to 8.25 tonnes MAM without the need for an additional driving qualification. We recommend checking the details on the back. of your driving licence, if it is listed category B or BE, you are authorized to drive caravans up to 3,500 kg.

“If you find the C1E(107) category on your licence, you can tow bigger trailers.”

Check the back light panel

You should check the caravan’s rear light panel before driving. Swansway Motor Group said: “Caravan lights are used less frequently than car lights and therefore are checked much less frequently.

“This makes it much easier to overlook faults, but driving with a faulty light can result in fines of up to £2,500, a driving ban and 3 points on your license for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition .”

Check your tires

RV owners should also make sure to check their tires. Swansway Motor Group said: “Also, caravan tires may not be inspected as often as they should be.

“Tyres can lose pressure over time, especially if the caravan has been parked for months. Before setting off on a particularly long journey, be sure to check your tires for air pressure, signs of wear and tread depth of at least 1.6mm. central three-quarters of the tread and around the entire circumference.

“Having any of these under the legal limit can invalidate your insurance and lead to a fine of up to £2,500 per tire and three points on your licence.”

Obey speed limits and lane laws

You could end up with a fine and penalty points if you don’t stick to the regulations. Swansway Motor Group said: “When towing a caravan, specific speed limits and lane usage rules apply.

“On motorways the speed limit for a caravan is 60mph. The right lane is also prohibited for caravans if the road has three or more lanes.

“On single carriageways, the speed limit is 50 mph to maintain vehicle stability. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in a £100 fine and three points.”

Do I need to take a special test to tow a caravan or trailer?

You don’t need to take a test to tow a caravan trailer as long as you have a valid category B (car and small vehicle) driving licence. But the weight you can legally tow depends on when you originally passed your driving test.

If your license was issued before 1 January 1997: You are allowed to drive a combination vehicle and a trailer weight of 8,250 kg MAM (Maximum Authorized Mass).

If your license was issued between 1 January 1997 and 19 January 2013: You can drive a car or van up to 3,500 kg MAM towing a caravan up to 750 kg MAM. You can also tow a trailer above this weight, provided the combined MAM of both vehicles does not exceed 3,500kg.

If your license was issued after 19 January 2013: You are allowed to tow trailers under 750kg MAM or trailers heavier than this if the combined weight of the two vehicles does not exceed 3,500kg MAM.