If you’re running a van with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of 3,500 kg or less, the towing rules are thankfully straightforward — but there are two sets of limits you must follow: licence limits and vehicle limits.
Licence Rules
Anyone with a standard Category B car licence can tow with a van up to 3.5 t. Since the towing law change in late 2021, B licence holders may tow trailers over 750 kg, as long as the trailer weight does not exceed the towing capacity set by the van’s manufacturer. Pre-1997 licence holders keep their B+E entitlement and can tow heavier combinations, but the van’s own limits still apply.
Vehicle Limits
Every van has a manufacturer-approved towing capacity, plus a Gross Train Weight (GTW) — the maximum allowed combined weight of the van, its load and the trailer. You must not exceed either.
Always check your specific van’s VIN plate and handbook, as individual specs (engine, gearbox, wheelbase and GVW rating) affect the limit.
