FUN ON WHEELS UK founder, Terry Bassingthwaighte has been specialising for many years in coaching car drivers learning to tow trailers. Here’s just some of the questions this DSA Approved Driving Instructor hears frequently from clients learning to tow trailers in Suffolk – together with some of his words of wisdom.
At this time, we also strongly advise you to read our Driving Instruction & COVID-19 FAQs »
What can I tow?
The rules on what you can tow are different depending on when you passed your driving test. You can read about how to check on your eligibility in our dedicated Trailer Towing Courses section here »
Licences issued from 1 January 1997 to 18 January 2013
If you passed your car driving test from 1 January 1997 to 18 January 2013, you can currently drive either of the following:
You’ve had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier
Licences issued from 19th January 2013
If you passed your car driving test from 19th January 2013, you can currently drive either of the following:
You’ve had to pass a car and trailer driving test if you want to tow anything heavier.
Car and trailer driving tests stopping from 20 September 2021
Car and trailer driving tests are stopping before the law changes. You can no longer book or take a car and trailer driving test from 20 September 2021.
What you can do until the law changes
Until the law changes later in autumn 2021, you must continue to follow the current rules about what you’re allowed to tow based on when you passed your car driving test.
You can be fined up to £1,000, be banned from driving and get up to 6 penalty points on your driving licence if you tow anything heavier before the law changes.
You’re only allowed to tow anything heavier if you’re being supervised. When you’re being supervised, you must:
The following section of questions / answers refers to how Terry can help you to buid your knowledge and skills to be confident in towing a Trailer.
How many hours of specific trailer towing lessons with FUN ON WHEELS UK Trailer Towing Academy do I need?
This can vary from one individual to the next. It is entirely dependent on your knowledge and understanding of towing a trailer. During a telephone call and conversation we will discuss your towing skills and from this, between us, we will decide if an assessment is required before we confirm the anticipated number of lessons you will require. At FUN ON WHEELS UK Trailer Towing Academy we have years of experience in coaching trailer towing and can tailor our courses to specific individual needs.
Safety Checks - We will show you how to carry out basic safety checks.
Reversing your vehicle - We will teach you how you can manoeuvre your car and trailer into a restricted space and stop at a certain point.
Your general driving ability - You will drive in various road and traffic conditions, including all types of roads.
We will teach you how to pull over and pull away safely, including:
• Normal stops at the side of the road
• Pulling out from behind a parked vehicle
• A hill start
Uncoupling and recoupling the trailer - We will teach you to:
• Uncouple your vehicle from the trailer
• Park the vehicle alongside the trailer
• Trailer safety checks
• Realign the vehicle with the trailer and recouple them
