Caravans, motorhomes and campervans
A lot of people picture a holiday where the bed comes along with them. A leisure vehicle makes that possible, whether it is towed or driven. This page sets out the main choices and the rules that come with each, so you can pick the one that suits your trips.
Towed or driven
A touring caravan is towed behind a car. You can unhitch it at a site and use the car for days out.
A motorhome or campervan has the living space built in, so you drive it. There is nothing to hitch, and everything travels with you. The rules for each depend mostly on weight, so it helps to know the maximum authorised mass, or MAM. It is listed in the owner's manual and usually shown on a plate on the vehicle or trailer.
Driving a motorhome on a car licence
A category B car licence covers vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats. For an electric or hydrogen vehicle the limit is 4,250kg.
Heavier motorhomes, between 3,500kg and 7,500kg, need category C1. Some older licences, issued before 2013, already include C1. You can view your own licence record online to see which categories you hold.
Towing a caravan
If you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997, you can now tow a trailer of up to 3,500kg MAM on a car licence. The car and trailer together must not exceed 7,000kg. If you passed before 1997, you can usually drive a combination of up to 8,250kg.
Your car also has its own towing limit. It is in the handbook, or shown as a gross train weight on the plate on the car. A car of 3,500kg MAM or less can tow a trailer up to 7 metres long and 2.55 metres wide.
Towing courses cover caravans as well as other trailers. GOV.UK lists ways to find a training provider.
Speeds on the road
A car towing a caravan has lower limits than a car alone. It is 50mph on a single carriageway and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways.
A motorhome of up to 3.05 tonnes unladen has the same limits as a car. A heavier one is limited to 50mph on single carriageways and 60mph on dual carriageways. On motorways it can do 70mph.
Where to stay
In Scotland, you can enjoy the outdoors on most land if you act responsibly. That includes lightweight camping in a tent for two or three nights. The access rights do not include motor vehicles, though. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code asks you to check parking before you set off, use car parks, and have a back-up plan if they are full. Respect any limits landowners set on parking.
Checks before you set off
A loaded caravan over 750kg must have working brakes. It also needs a breakaway cable or secondary coupling in case it comes apart from the car. Fit towing mirrors if the caravan is wider than the back of the car. Carry the same number plate on the caravan as on the car.
A tow bar on a car first used from 1 August 1998 needs to be type approved for that car. Look for a label with an approval number.