We wrote to you on Friday (10 September) to announce the government’s plans to help to tackle the shortage of lorry drivers by creating an extra 50,000 lorry tests.

Part of the plan is to allow all car drivers to tow a trailer weighing up to 3,500kg without the need for an additional licence when the law is changed.

New legislation has been laid in Parliament today (Thursday 16 September) to start the process for this change. 

To make more lorry tests available, DVSA will not be carrying out any car and trailer tests from 20 September.

You will also no longer be able to book one of these tests via our online services from today (16 September).

The current licence requirements for cars towing a trailer still apply until the new legislation receives Royal Assent, which we expect will be as soon as possible.

Until then, car drivers who gained their licence after 1 January 1997 and don’t hold a full car and trailer licence will only be able to tow a trailer weighing up to 3,500kg if they:

• display L plates
• are supervised by a driver aged over 21 who has had a car and trailer licence entitlement for 3 years or more

Drivers can be fined up to £1,000, be banned from driving and get up to 6 penalty points on their driving licence if they drive a vehicle that’s not on your driving licence.

Drivers who passed their car test before 1 January 1997 can already tow a car and trailer without an additional licence.

More information about the new rules for towing a trailer or caravan with a car

We’ll keep you updated on when these changes come into force.