Some useful links:
DVLA: www.dvla.gov.uk
National Trailer & Towing Association www.ntta.co.uk

Learning the law
Getting your facts right can be difficult. Not only are the laws that apply to touring caravans covered in several different acts and other legal pronouncements, they sometimes change or are updated. See the the links above for more useful information. When reading this article, please remember that only the courts can decide what the law is and how to interpret it. Although we have done our best to explain the law in plain English, any advice here should not be mistaken for a definitive statement.

Trailers longer than five metres must have amber side reflectors. All UK-built vans will be so fitted.

Rear fog lights must be used – in appropriate conditions – on caravans, but the car’s rear foglights do not need to be illuminated at the same time, and this helps cut down reflected glare from the van. Rear fog lights must not be used when parked, except in an emergency.

Caravans cannot be parked unhitched on the road without lights at night. They are not covered by the rules for cars. If you have to do this, you will need to arrange to power the legal lighting in some way other than from the car. Such a trailer must also not cause an ‘obstruction’ and it must have either the brake applied or at least one wheel chocked to prevent movement.
Vehicles with trailers are not allowed to use parking meters.

The trailer must bear the number plate of the towcar. This must be of an approved pattern and must be lit at night. To get an extra trailer plate made, you must now use a registered number plate supplier and produce your V5 registration document or approved alternative.

The 85% rule
The restriction for newer drivers not to tow a caravan whose maximum weight exceeds 100 percent of the car’s unladen weight has nothing to do with the 85 percent rule, which advises the best ratio for stability of the outfit. For the 85 percent ratio, it is best to use the EU kerbweight figure (see below), as it is more realistic, but using the UK one is not a problem as it will give an even safer result. It is vital that you get these figures right if you are a post-1997 licence-holder – being unauthorised to drive your outfit could lead to prosecution and may well invalidate your insurance. Note also that you must not tow a weight exceeding that recommended by the manufacturer of your towing vehicle.