When towing a trailer on a motorway in the UK, several key restrictions apply primarily for safety and legal compliance:
- Speed Limit: The maximum speed limit for vehicles towing trailers on UK motorways is reduced to 60mph, compared to the usual 70mph for other vehicles. This reduction helps maintain stability and safety while towing at high speeds.
- Lane Restrictions: On three-lane motorways, vehicles towing trailers are prohibited from using the right-hand (fast) lane. They must stay in the left or middle lanes to ensure smoother traffic flow and reduce the risk of accidents due to the dynamics of towing.
- Weight Limits: The trailer's maximum authorized mass (MAM) and the combined vehicle and trailer weight must comply with driving licence restrictions, which vary based on when the licence was obtained. For example, trailers up to 3,500kg MAM can generally be towed without additional tests if the licence was acquired after certain dates.
- Licence Requirements: A full driving licence is required, and depending on when it was obtained, additional towing tests or endorsements may apply, especially for heavier trailers.
- Vehicle Specifications: There are maximum trailer width (2.55 metres) and length limits (7 metres for trailers towed by vehicles up to 3,500kg) to comply with.
These restrictions are intended to enhance safety for the towing vehicle, its cargo, and other road users on motorways, where higher speeds and heavy traffic increase towing risks.
