§ Mr. Nealeasked the Minister of Transport if he will list the ages for driving a motor vehicle towing a caravan or a horse box; and if he will make a statement on the requirement of a heavy goods vehicle licence for driving such vehicle combinations.
§ Mr. FowlerThe minimum age for driving a motor vehicle towing a caravan, horse box or other trailer depends on the combined permissible maximum weights of the vehicle and the trailer.
A vehicle combination with a pmw of 3.5 tonnes or less can be driven by a 17-year-old. The driver of a vehicle combination with a pmw of over 3.5 tonnes but not more than 7.5 tonnes must be at least 18. The driver of a vehicle combination over 7.5 tonnes pmw must be 21 or over, and will normally require a heavy goods vehicle driver's licence. One exception to the requirement for a heavy goods vehicle driver's licence occurs when the towing vehicle does not exceed 3.5 tonnes pmw.
Private cars towing trailers will generally have a combined pmw of between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. Their drivers must therefore be 18 or over.