Weights and the law

I believe that it is the actual weight but this is potentially a problem as it is almost impossible to be sure if you are under 3,500 unless you check the weight of everything. I would look at trying to get below 3,500 to be safe.

It's my belief that the towing vehicle has to be no more than 3500kg. You can then tow whatever weight that vehicle is allowed to tow in law.

There used to be useful info on driving licences on this forum. Alas, no more.

To be sure, check the DVLA website yourself rather than relying on what others say.

A new-ish driver used to be able to tow a 750kg trailer with a 3500kg vehicle, but I'm sure that has also been revised such that the combined weight can be no more than 3500kg and the trailer can not be heavier than the tow vehicle .... as Norris said.

@ Norris. I'm sure they'd just look at the plated weights .... whether you were over them or not. 

PS what tow car are you looking at if it's 2.18 tonnes ... that's a fair old weight ... some kind of 4x4? 

My apology, I believe I have misinformed you. I think MM is correct.

All the more reason to check it with DVLA if unsure.

Just click on Advice and Training at the top of this page. There is a whole section there on driving licences. 

Thanks for replies. 

It's not really the weight that's in question, we know that our combined allowed total is 3500kg. We just wondered how / who would check if we went over that limit.

On paper we would be over if we go for the bigger car, but in reality i'm quite sure that we wouldn't be.

I'm looking at SUV types. As our caravan is quite heavy at 1400kg we really need the car to be as heavy as we can get away with to help with stability. 

As far as I am aware the police will only look up the rated weights as listed my the manufacturers rather than attempt to pick up all the pieces and weight them. 

As to who would check you - VOSA and the police set up road checks on a regular basis. If you ever travel into North Wales on the A55 you will have a chance of encountering these checks. Want to take the chance of having your car seized the prosecuted by the police for no driving licence?