When does towing become illegal

 ... or is it what is shown on the plates that count. .....

 

Yes 

https://www.gov.uk/towing-with-car/driving-licence-rules-and-what-you-can-tow

I think you will find it is what is on the plate. See here: If you passed your driving test on or after 1 January 1997 and have an ordinary category B (car) licence, you are limited to vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) MAM towing a trailer up to 750kgs, or a vehicle and trailer combination up to 3.5 tonnes MAM, providing the MAM of the trailer doesn’t exceed the unladen mass of the towing vehicle. For anything heavier you need to pass a category B+E driving test. MTLMP is tthe same as MAM

Thank you for the replies, although this seems strange. It would be illegal to tow a caravan which is actually less than 3500kg because of what it says on the plates (which includes a users payload which would not be used in full).

Does anyone know if this is part of the Road Traffic Act?

It is a bit odd but it is the plated figure you have to go by. My Freelander 2 has on its plate 2505kg and if I had just a 'B' licence it would only leave me with 995kg to play with although in reality I am never loaded up beyond 2000kg.

Luckily I have the licence required.

I think the point is that after an accident causing damage to the car and caravan it would be difficult to show what the actual weight was so the maximum figure is used. I doubt you would be prosecuted over 6 kg but cannot guarantee this but if stopped you might be prevented from travelling further and your insurers might also be a problem. 

Hi,

I am trying to find out when towing my caravan becomes illegal. I do not have category B + E on my licence (yet), my car is 2180kg and the caravan MTPLM is 1326kg meaning I am 6kg over what is allowable.

If I am very careful with what I put in the caravan while towing would I be towing legally (assuming it's below 3500kg) or is it what is shown on the plates that count.

i cannot seem to find clarification on this anywhere so any help would be greatly received.

 

If your van is fairly new see your dealer, it might be possible to downplate the MTLMP, this would of course reduce your payload.