Is it illegal to tow an unroadworthy vehicle?
TOWING another vehicle can be a challenge, and so there are strict laws in place to keep yourself and others out of danger.
Read on to learn how to avoid facing big fines when an unroadworthy vehicle needs moving.
Is it illegal to tow an unroadworthy vehicle?
There are rules in place around towing to make sure it’s carried out safely.
The main thing to know is that a vehicle being towed must still be taxed, registered and insured.
When towing it with all four wheels still on the road – such as with a rope or a chain – it is subject to the same rules as any other vehicle and must still be roadworthy.
This means the tyres must be in a good condition, the brakes must still be working, and the headlights must all be functioning too.
If the vehicle being towed is not roadworthy, it must be transported in a different way – such as on the back of a flat trailer.
The best thing to do if you’re not sure is to have a professional company do the towing for you.
Can I be fined for towing an unroadworthy vehicle?
There are strict rules in place around staying safe on the road, including when towing another vehicle.
The law says any vehicle being towed must be roadworthy, so breaking this rule could land you with a hefty fine.
The DVLA says you can be hit with a penalty of up to £2,500 if you use a vehicle in a dangerous condition.
You can also be banned from driving and get 3 penalty points.
There are a number of other towing laws you need to stick to as well.
What are the laws around towing vehicles?
When one car is towing another using a rope or a chain, the car behind must be no more than 4.5 metres from the car in front.
If the distance between the two vehicles is more than 1.5 metres, the rope or chain must be made clearly visible within a reasonable distance from either side to other road users.
This could mean tying a coloured cloth around the middle, for example.
There must also be a qualified driver behind the wheel of the car being towed.
They’ll need to be alert and ready to hit the brakes if needed.
A sign with the words “ON TOW” must be always displayed, letting drivers behind know the situation.
The vehicle being towed must still be insured – there is still a risk it could be involved in an accident whilst on the road.
It’s also not allowed to tow a vehicle with a rope or chain on the motorway – a proper trailer must be used instead.
Most Common Illegal Driving Activities
Here's a list of reckless driving behaviour and the fines and penalties you risk getting from it.
- Using phone while driving
Cheeky glance at a phone screen will result in six penalty points on your licence and a £200 fine
New drivers might lose their licence if caught doing so within two years of obtaining it - Speeding
Lovers of fast and furious will end up with minimum three points and £100 fine - Running a red light
This offence will incur three points and £100 fine - Middle lane hogging
It constitutes careless driving and police will hand you out a £100 fine with three penalty points - Undertaking
This could possibly result in three points on your license and a £100 fine