What we could not settle
- Whether Northern Ireland accepts the B+E that Great Britain added automatically to car licences in 2021. Article 19E lets a GB licence holder drive in NI what the GB licence authorises, which points to yes; nidirect asks that the licence "shows" the entitlement, and the NI Minister said in 2021 that officials were still working it out. We found no later DVA statement, so the checker says "not settled" for these cases.
- Whether Ireland honours that automatic GB B+E. Irish law lets visitors drive what their licence covers and no Irish source mentions the 2021 change, so the checker says "not settled".
- Irish C1E: the 2011 regulations still say C1E covers only trailers no heavier than the towing vehicle’s unladen weight. We found nothing removing that line, so a car towing a trailer over 3,500 kg on an Irish C1E is "not settled" when the trailer outweighs the car.
- Irish trailer plates: the regulation requires the towing vehicle’s number on any trailer; the RSA FAQ says trailers under 750 kg are exempt. We follow the regulation.
- Irish breakaway brakes: the RSA website and the RSA booklet give different cut-off dates (1 January 2016 and 1 June 2011) for when a breakaway brake replaces a secondary coupling on trailers up to 1,500 kg.
- Irish trailer width: the 2003 regulations as made set 2.50 m; GB and NI allow 2.55 m. We could not find a consolidated Irish text to confirm whether this changed.
- Code 96 on Northern Ireland licences is not modelled; only the Irish code 96 is.
- Whether the GB V5C prints the towing limits (fields O.1 and O.2). The EU format makes them optional; check your own document.
- Kerb weight: the GB construction and use definition excludes the driver; some industry bodies add 75 kg. Use the handbook figure.
Great Britain
| Where | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| GB | Category B: what a car licence covers on its own When: A Great Britain licence with category B. A trailer up to 750 kg MAM, or a heavier trailer if car and trailer MAM together are 3,500 kg or less. “a combination of any such vehicle and a trailer where the trailer has a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 750 kilograms” | Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999, Schedule 2 Checked 2 November 2026 |
| GB | B+E added to every GB car licence from 16 December 2021 When: A Great Britain licence with category B, whenever the car test was passed. The holder may tow under category B+E (trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM) without a B+E test. DVLA adds B+E to the licence record; the photocard shows it at the next renewal. “if a person passes, or has passed, a driving test for a category B licence, that person is automatically entitled from the coming into force date of these Regulations to drive a vehicle combination of a class included in category B + E without having to take a separate category B + E test” | Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No. 5) Regulations 2021, SI 2021/1450 Checked 2 November 2026 |
| GB | Category B+E: trailer up to 3,500 kg When: GB category B+E gained on or after 19 January 2013, by test or automatically. A trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM. With a car of at most 3,500 kg MAM this means at most 7,000 kg together. “the maximum authorised mass of the trailer or semi-trailer does not exceed 3.5 tonnes” | Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1999, Schedule 2 Checked 2 November 2026 |
| GB | B+E passed before 19 January 2013 When: A B+E test passed (or B+E held) before 19 January 2013. No licence limit on trailer weight; the vehicle’s own towing limits still apply. “before 19 January 2013, you can tow any size trailer within the towing limits of the vehicle” | GOV.UK, Driving licence categories Checked 2 November 2026 |
| GB | Car licences from before 1 January 1997 (grandfather rights) When: A GB car test passed, or licence granted, before 1 January 1997. B+E with no licence limit on trailer weight, and C1+E restricted to 8,250 kg combined MAM (code 107). DVLA says the C1+E right lasts until the licence runs out at 70 unless renewed with a medical. “You can usually drive a vehicle and trailer with a combined weight of up to 8,250kg MAM.” | GOV.UK, Towing with a car Checked 2 November 2026 |
| GB | C1+E (107) ends at 70 without a medical When: A GB pre-1997 licence showing C1E (107). The 8,250 kg right lasts until the licence runs out at 70, unless renewed with a medical (D2/D4). “a combined weight of 8.25 tonnes (showing on your licence as C1E (107)) until your licence runs out at age 70” | DVLA leaflet INF30, Requirements for towing trailers in Great Britain (2025) Checked 2 November 2026 |
| GB | Unbraked trailers: no more than half the car’s kerb weight When: An unbraked trailer in Great Britain. The car’s kerbside weight must be at least twice the laden trailer. This is law, although GOV.UK words it as "should". “it is drawn by a vehicle of which the kerbside weight is less than twice the sum of the unladen weight of the trailer and the weight of any load” | Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, regulation 87 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| GB | Trailer width and length When: A trailer towed in Great Britain. Up to 2.55 m wide. Up to 7 m long (not counting the A-frame) behind a vehicle of 3,500 kg MAM or less. “The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres.” | GOV.UK, Towing with a car Checked 3 November 2026 |
| GB | Towing speed limits in Great Britain When: A car or car-derived van towing a trailer or caravan in Great Britain. 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 mph on dual carriageways and motorways, 30 mph in built-up areas (20 mph in Wales where set). “A passenger vehicle, motor caravan, car-derived van or dual-purpose vehicle drawing one trailer” | Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, Schedule 6 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| GB | No towing in the outside lane of a 3-lane motorway When: Towing on a GB motorway with three or more lanes. You must not use the right-hand lane, except in prescribed circumstances. “The right-hand lane of a motorway with three or more lanes MUST NOT be used (except in prescribed circumstances) if you are driving” | The Highway Code (GB), rule 265 Checked 3 November 2026 |
Northern Ireland
| Where | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NI | Category B in Northern Ireland When: A Northern Ireland licence with category B. A trailer over 750 kg MAM only if car and trailer together are 3,500 kg MAM or less; a trailer up to 750 kg MAM behind any category B vehicle. “You may couple a category B vehicle with a trailer over 750 kgs MAM, if the two together do not exceed 3,500 kgs MAM.” | nidirect, Cars towing trailers or caravans Checked 2 November 2026 |
| NI | Northern Ireland did not adopt the 2021 GB change When: A Northern Ireland licence, car test on or after 1 January 1997. B+E still needs a separate practical test. The 2021 GB regulations extend only to England, Wales and Scotland, and NI’s 2026 amendments still refer to passing the B+E test. “To gain this entitlement if you are a category B licence holder, who took your category B test on or after 1 January 1997, you have to pass a further practical test for category B+E.” | nidirect, Cars towing trailers or caravans Checked 2 November 2026 |
| NI | NI law in 2026 still ties heavy towing to the B+E test When: Northern Ireland regulations made in 2026. The 2026 NI zero-emission allowance applies only to a driver who has passed the B+E test, confirming NI has no automatic B+E. “provided he has passed the prescribed test in respect of category B+E” | Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment No. 2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026, SR 2026/119 Checked 2 November 2026 |
| NI | NI B+E passed on or after 19 January 2013 When: A Northern Ireland B+E test passed on or after 19 January 2013. A trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM, and car and trailer together up to 7,000 kg MAM. “will be restricted to towing a trailer not heavier than 3,500kg and the shared MAM of the car and trailer must not be more than 7,000kg” | nidirect, Driving licence to tow a caravan or trailer Checked 2 November 2026 |
| NI | NI B+E passed before 19 January 2013 When: A B+E test passed in the UK before 19 January 2013, on a Northern Ireland licence. The trailer may be heavier than 3,500 kg MAM, within construction and use rules and the vehicle’s limits. “If you passed a category B+E test before 19 January 2013 (within the UK) you will keep your existing entitlement where the trailer you tow may be heavier than 3,500 kg MAM” | nidirect, Cars towing trailers or caravans Checked 2 November 2026 |
| NI | NI law saving pre-2013 B+E When: Former category B+E held before 19 January 2013 (NI). Category B+E includes trailers over 3,500 kg MAM for these holders. “shall include vehicles which would fall within category B=E save that the maximum authorised mass of the trailer or semi-trailer (as the case may be) exceeds 3500 kilograms” | Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, SR 2012/170 Checked 2 November 2026 |
| NI | NI car licences from before 1 January 1997 When: A UK car test passed before 1 January 1997, on a Northern Ireland licence. B+E, and C1+E up to 8,250 kg combined MAM. “This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination that falls within B+E entitlement and up to 8,250kgs MAM for holders of C1+E.” | nidirect, Driving licence to tow a caravan or trailer Checked 2 November 2026 |
| NI | NI C1+E by test: 12 tonnes When: Category C1+E gained by test on a Northern Ireland licence. Vehicle and trailer together up to 12,000 kg MAM. “increase their shared vehicle and trailer entitlement to 12 tonnes MAM” | nidirect, Driving licence to tow a caravan or trailer Checked 2 November 2026 |
| NI | NI: trailers over 750 kg need brakes When: A trailer over 750 kg in Northern Ireland. It must have a working brake system. “Any trailer weighing over 750kgs must have a working brake system.” | nidirect, Towing safety information Checked 3 November 2026 |
| NI | NI unbraked trailers: no more than half the car’s kerb weight When: An unbraked trailer in Northern Ireland. Same rule as GB: the car’s kerbside weight must be at least twice the laden trailer. “it is drawn by a vehicle of which the kerbside weight is less than twice the sum of the unladen weight of the trailer and the weight of any load which the trailer is carrying” | Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1999, regulation 101 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| NI | NI trailer width and length When: A trailer towed in Northern Ireland. Up to 2.55 m wide; up to 7 m long behind a vehicle up to 3,500 kg. “The maximum trailer width for any towing vehicle is 2.55 metres. The maximum length is 7 metres for a trailer towed by a vehicle weight up to 3.5 tonnes” | nidirect, Towing safety information Checked 3 November 2026 |
| NI | Towing speed limits in Northern Ireland When: A car towing a trailer or caravan in Northern Ireland. Same as GB: 50 mph single carriageway, 60 mph dual carriageway and motorway, 30 mph in built-up areas. NI advises (but the law does not require) keeping out of the outside lane of a 3-lane motorway. “50 mph on single carriageways 60 mph on dual carriageways or motorways” | nidirect, Towing safety information Checked 3 November 2026 |
| NI | NI speed limits regulations When: A passenger vehicle or car-derived van drawing one trailer in Northern Ireland. 60 mph on motorways, 60 mph on dual carriageways, 50 mph on other roads. “drawing one trailer. 60 60 50” | Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1989, Schedule Checked 3 November 2026 |
Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| Where | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UK | C1+E by test: up to 12,000 kg combined When: Category C1+E gained by passing the medium lorry and trailer test (GB or NI). Car or van and trailer together up to 12,000 kg MAM, including a trailer over 3,500 kg behind a category B vehicle. “Once you’ve done this you can drive vehicles and trailers with a combined weight of up to 12,000kg MAM.” | GOV.UK, Towing with a car Checked 2 November 2026 |
| UK | Gross train weight must not be exceeded When: Any car towing a trailer (GB and NI). The loaded car plus the loaded trailer must not weigh more than the gross train weight on the VIN plate. No train weight on the plate means the car should not tow. “The gross train weight is the weight of the fully-loaded car plus fully-loaded trailer and must not be exceeded.” | GOV.UK, Towing with a car Checked 3 November 2026 |
| UK | The car’s braked and unbraked towing limits When: Any car towing a trailer. The laden trailer must not exceed the maximum the manufacturer allows the car to tow, braked or unbraked. “The car and loaded trailer must not weigh over the second weight shown on the car manufacturer’s plates.” | GOV.UK, Tow a trailer with a car: safety checks Checked 3 November 2026 |
| UK | A trailer must not exceed its own plated weight When: An unbraked trailer (law); good practice for every trailer. The laden trailer must not weigh more than its maximum gross weight. “its laden weight exceeds its maximum gross weight” | Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, regulation 87 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| UK | Trailers over 750 kg need brakes When: A trailer that weighs over 750 kg loaded (GB; NI uses the same 750 kg line). It must have a working brake system. Unbraked trailers are limited to 750 kg. “Your trailer must have a working brake system if it weighs over 750kg when it’s loaded.” | GOV.UK, Towing with a car Checked 3 November 2026 |
| UK | Breakaway cable or secondary coupling When: Any trailer towed by a car (GB; NI regulation 100 is the same). Use a breakaway cable (braked trailers) or a secondary coupling (unbraked trailers). “You must use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling in case the trailer becomes detached from your car.” | GOV.UK, Towing with a car Checked 3 November 2026 |
| UK | Towing mirrors When: A trailer or caravan wider than the back of the car. Fit towing mirrors. Fine up to £1,000 and 3 points. “Fit suitable towing mirrors if your trailer or caravan is wider than the rear of your car.” | GOV.UK, Towing with a car Checked 3 November 2026 |
| UK | Trailer number plate When: Any trailer (GB and NI). Show the towing car’s registration on the back of the trailer. “You must display the same number plate on your trailer as on your towing car.” | GOV.UK, Towing with a car Checked 3 November 2026 |
| UK | Weights on the registration certificate When: Registration certificates in the common EU format (the GB V5C and the Irish certificate follow it). F.1 is the maximum permissible laden mass (MAM). G is the mass in service. O.1 and O.2, the braked and unbraked towable mass, are optional fields, so not every certificate shows them. “(O) technically permissible maximum towable mass of the trailer: (O.1) braked (in kg), (O.2) unbraked (in kg)” | Council Directive 1999/37/EC on registration documents, Annex I Checked 3 November 2026 |
Ireland
| Where | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IE | Category B in Ireland When: An Irish licence with category B. A trailer up to 750 kg MAM (design gross vehicle weight), or a heavier trailer if car and trailer together are 3,500 kg or less. “the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer exceeds 750 kg but where the design gross vehicle weight of the combination does not exceed 3,500 kg” | Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, S.I. No. 6 of 2013 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Irish category B held before 19 January 2013 When: Irish category B first held before 19 January 2013. The old rule also limits the trailer to the car’s unladen weight and the pair to 3,500 kg. Every outfit it allows is already allowed by the current B rule, so a pre-2013 B licence gives no extra towing. “where entitlement to a driving licence in category B was given prior to 19 January 2013, the drawing vehicle is in category B and the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle” | Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, S.I. No. 6 of 2013 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Code 96 on an Irish category B When: An Irish category B licence showing code 96. A trailer over 750 kg MAM where car and trailer together are over 3,500 kg but no more than 4,250 kg. “Category B vehicles combined with a trailer with a maximum authorized mass exceeding 750 kg where the maximum authorized mass of such combination exceeds 3,500 kg but does not exceed 4,250 kg” | Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, S.I. No. 6 of 2013 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Irish category BE When: Irish category BE, gained on or after 19 January 2013. A trailer up to 3,500 kg design gross vehicle weight. “Combination of drawing vehicles in category B and trailer where the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is not greater than 3,500 kg.” | Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011, S.I. No. 483 of 2011 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Irish BE from before 19 January 2013 (code 79.06) When: Irish category BE granted before 19 January 2013. Treated as BE with code 79.06, which covers a trailer over 3,500 kg. “in respect of category BE, granted prior to 19 January 2013, be regarded from 19 January 2013 as a driving licence in respect of category BE with the code 79.06” | Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) Regulations 2016, S.I. No. 657 of 2016 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Irish C1E: car with a trailer over 3,500 kg When: Irish category C1E. A category B vehicle with a trailer over 3,500 kg, up to 12,000 kg together. The same regulations also say C1E covers only trailers no heavier than the drawing vehicle’s unladen weight; we found nothing removing that line, so a trailer heavier than the car is not settled. “Combination of drawing vehicles in category B with trailer where the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer is greater than 3,500 kg and where the design gross vehicle weight of the drawing vehicle and trailer combined does not exceed 12,000 kg.” | Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011, S.I. No. 483 of 2011 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Irish C1E unladen-weight condition When: Irish C1E, trailer heavier than the drawing vehicle’s unladen weight. Not settled: the 2011 text limits C1E trailers to the drawing vehicle’s unladen weight. “Vehicle categories C1E and D1E cover only combinations where the design gross vehicle weight of the trailer does not exceed the unladen weight of the drawing vehicle.” | Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2011, S.I. No. 483 of 2011 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Ireland: the car’s towing capacity is the legal limit When: Any vehicle towing in Ireland. The braked and unbraked towing capacities in the handbook are maximums; exceeding them breaks the law. “These are the maximum weights your vehicle can tow. If you exceed this, you are breaking the law.” | RSA, Towing and vehicle towing capacity Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Ireland: design gross combination weight When: Any vehicle towing in Ireland. Car and trailer together must stay within the car’s design gross combination weight (the gross train weight). “Design Gross Combination Weight is the maximum combined weight allowed for your vehicle and trailer according to the towing vehicle’s manufacturers specifications.” | RSA, Towing and vehicle towing capacity Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Ireland: trailers over 750 kg need full brakes When: A trailer over 750 kg design gross vehicle weight in Ireland. It needs a service brake, a handbrake and a breakaway brake. Older trailers up to 1,500 kg may use a secondary coupling instead of a breakaway brake. “All trailers with a DGVW more than 750 kg must have a service or normal running brake, a handbrake and breakaway brake” | RSA, Braking requirements for light trailers Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Ireland: half the laden weight of the towing vehicle When: A trailer in Ireland heavier, laden, than half the laden weight of the vehicle towing it (or over 15 cwt, about 762 kg). It must have brakes and a device that stops it automatically if it comes off. So an unbraked trailer must weigh no more than half the loaded car. “Every trailer exceeding in weight laden 15 cwt. or half the weight laden of any drawing vehicle to which it is attached (whichever is the less)” | Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 1963, S.I. No. 190 of 1963 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Ireland: trailer shows the car’s registration When: Any trailer in Ireland. The rearmost trailer must carry a duplicate of the towing vehicle’s registration. The RSA FAQ says trailers under 750 kg are exempt; the regulation we read has no exemption, so fit one. “Where one or more trailers of any kind are attached to a vehicle, a duplicate of the identification mark of the vehicle shall be exhibited on the back of the rearmost trailer” | Vehicle Registration and Taxation Regulations 1992, S.I. No. 318 of 1992, Reg. 9(8) Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Ireland: mirrors when towing When: A trailer wider than the towing vehicle in Ireland. The law requires an adequate view to the rear; the RSA says to fit extension (towing) mirrors when the trailer is wider than the car. “these are towing mirrors to be used when the trailer is wider than the towing vehicle” | RSA, Road safety advice and driver licensing rules for drawing light trailers (booklet) Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Ireland: vehicle width When: Any vehicle or trailer in Ireland. The 2003 regulations as made set a 2.50 m overall width (some heavy goods trailers may be 2.55 m). We could not confirm whether a later amendment changed this for light trailers. “the overall width of a vehicle shall not exceed 2.50 metres” | Road Traffic (Construction and Use of Vehicles) Regulations 2003, S.I. No. 5 of 2003 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Ireland: roadworthiness tests for heavy trailers When: A trailer over 3,500 kg in Ireland. It must pass an annual roadworthiness (CVRT) test. Light trailers are not tested but must be kept roadworthy. “Only trailers over 3,500 kg must be roadworthiness tested.” | RSA, Laws on using light trailers Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | Ireland: 80 km/h when towing When: Any vehicle drawing a trailer in Ireland (other than heavy lorries with heavy trailers on motorways). 80 km/h on every road, including motorways, unless a lower limit is posted. “The ordinary speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour is prescribed in respect of all public roads for a combination of a mechanically propelled vehicle drawing another vehicle” | Road Traffic Act 2004 (Ordinary Speed Limits) (Amendment) Regulations 2022, S.I. No. 255 of 2022 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | EU 4th Driving Licence Directive (not yet in force) When: Ireland, once it transposes Directive (EU) 2025/2205. Member States must adopt it by 26 November 2028 and apply it from 26 November 2029. Category B will be allowed to tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg where the pair weighs up to 4,250 kg, after a training course or test above 3,500 kg. Rights granted before 19 January 2013 are kept. As of November 2026 Ireland has not transposed it, and Towsheet does not apply it yet. “by 26 November 2028, Member States shall adopt and publish the measures necessary to comply with this Directive” | Directive (EU) 2025/2205 on driving licences Checked 3 November 2026 |
| IE | EU 4th Directive keeps pre-2013 rights When: Driving entitlement granted before 19 January 2013. Not removed or qualified by the new Directive. “Any entitlement to drive granted before 19 January 2013 shall not be removed or be in any way qualified by this Directive.” | Directive (EU) 2025/2205 on driving licences Checked 3 November 2026 |
Across borders
| Where | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cross-border | Great Britain licence driven in Northern Ireland When: A GB licence holder driving in Northern Ireland. They may drive what their GB licence authorises. Whether DVA accepts the automatic 2021 B+E is not settled: nidirect asks that the licence "shows" the entitlement, and in 2021 the NI Minister said officials were still working out whether automatic B+E holders could tow in NI. We found no later statement. “in Northern Ireland in accordance with that licence, , a motor vehicle of any class which he is authorised by that licence to drive” | Road Traffic (Northern Ireland) Order 1981, Article 19E Checked 2 November 2026 |
| Cross-border | nidirect: the licence must show the entitlement When: A GB or EEA licence holder visiting Northern Ireland. They may drive a vehicle the licence shows full entitlement for. “shows the suitable full entitlement for the vehicle you wish to drive” | nidirect, Driving in NI on a GB or EEA licence Checked 2 November 2026 |
| Cross-border | Northern Ireland licence driven in Great Britain When: An NI licence holder driving in Great Britain. They may drive what their NI licence authorises. The 2021 GB change does not add B+E to an NI licence, so a B-only NI licence tows under category B rules in GB too. “The holder of a Northern Ireland driving licence may drive, and a person may cause or permit the holder of such a licence to drive, in Great Britain, in accordance with that licence, a motor vehicle of any class which he is authorised by that licence to drive” | Road Traffic Act 1988, section 109 Checked 2 November 2026 |
| Cross-border | Irish licence driven in Great Britain When: An Irish (EU) licence holder driving in Great Britain. They may drive the classes their Irish licence authorises. GB’s automatic B+E does not apply to them. “A Community licence holder may drive, and a person may cause or permit a Community licence holder to drive, in Great Britain, a motor vehicle of any class which— a he is authorised by his Community licence to drive” | Road Traffic Act 1988, section 99A Checked 3 November 2026 |
| Cross-border | Irish licence driven in Northern Ireland When: An Irish licence holder visiting Northern Ireland. They may drive what the Irish licence shows full entitlement for. “shows the suitable full entitlement for the vehicle you wish to drive” | nidirect, Driving in NI on a GB or EEA licence Checked 3 November 2026 |
| Cross-border | Northern Ireland licence driven in Ireland (visitors) When: An NI licence holder who lives outside Ireland, driving in Ireland. They may drive what their licence covers. “A visitor who is for the time being the holder of a driving permit may drive in a public place a vehicle which he is licensed by the driving permit to drive” | Road Traffic (International Circulation of Motor Vehicles) Order 1992, S.I. No. 384 of 1992, Art. 9 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| Cross-border | Great Britain licence driven in Ireland (visitors) When: A GB licence holder who lives outside Ireland, driving in Ireland. They may drive what their licence covers. No Irish source mentions GB’s automatic 2021 B+E, so whether Ireland honours it is not settled. The wording points to the category on the licence. “A visitor who is for the time being the holder of a driving permit may drive in a public place a vehicle which he is licensed by the driving permit to drive” | Road Traffic (International Circulation of Motor Vehicles) Order 1992, S.I. No. 384 of 1992, Art. 9 Checked 3 November 2026 |
| Cross-border | UK licence holders who live in Ireland When: Someone living in Ireland with a GB or NI licence. A UK licence is no longer valid for driving in Ireland for residents. It must be exchanged for an Irish licence. “If you live in Ireland, you can no longer driver on your UK licence. You must exchange it for an Irish one.” | Citizens Information, Foreign driving licences in Ireland Checked 3 November 2026 |
| Cross-border | gov.ie: unexchanged UK licences When: Residents of Ireland who did not exchange a UK licence by the deadline. The licence is valid only for exchange. “their UK licence will no longer be valid to drive here in Ireland, it is only valid for exchange purposes” | gov.ie, UK and Ireland driving licence exchange agreement Checked 3 November 2026 |
| Cross-border | Ireland recognises UK categories that match Irish ones When: UK licences exchanged in Ireland. Recognised in categories corresponding to the Irish table, which includes B and BE. “issued by a competent authority of the United Kingdom in a category which corresponds to a category specified in the Table to Regulation 6 of the 2006 Regulations” | Road Traffic Act 1961 (Section 23A(1)) (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) (UK) Order 2020, S.I. No. 683 of 2020 Checked 3 November 2026 |
Guidance (not law)
| Where | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Guidance | The 85% caravan guide When: Towing a caravan, especially if you are new to it. Keep the laden caravan at or under 85% of the car’s kerb weight for stability. It is guidance, not law. (Guidance, not law.) “guidelines recommend that the laden weight of your caravan does not exceed 85 per cent of the unladen weight of your car. Although this is not a necessity by law” | nidirect, Cars towing trailers or caravans Checked 3 November 2026 |
| Guidance | Noseweight When: Any trailer. Load so there is a downward load on the tow ball, heavy items over the axle, within the car’s and tow bar’s limits. 5–7% of the laden trailer is a common industry target, not an official figure. (Guidance, not law.) “distribute the weight in your caravan or trailer evenly with heavy items over the axle(s) and ensure a downward load on the tow ball” | The Highway Code (GB), rule 98 Checked 3 November 2026 |
Speed limits when towing
| Road | Great Britain | Northern Ireland | Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single carriageway | 50 mph | 50 mph | 80 km/h |
| Dual carriageway | 60 mph | 60 mph | 80 km/h |
| Motorway | 60 mph | 60 mph | 80 km/h |
Guidance, not legal advice. Towsheet is not connected with the DVLA, DVA, DfI, DVSA, the RSA or NDLS. If you spot a rule that has changed, email support@towsheet.app.