How to Tow a Car Legally in the UK

Car Owl

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Summary

• You need the right licence: Your driving licence must cover the weight of the car being towed.
• Strict speed limits apply: Towing vehicles are limited to 60 mph on motorways and 50 mph on single carriageways.
• Use proper equipment: A tow rope, A-frame, or tow dolly are the legal options.

Towing a broken-down car might seem simple. But UK law has strict rules about how you do it. Breaking them can result in fines, penalty points, or even prosecution.

This guide covers the legal requirements, speed limits, and equipment you need to tow a car safely and legally.

Legal Requirements

Before towing any vehicle on UK roads, check these rules:

• Driving licence: You must hold a full driving licence that covers the combined weight of both vehicles.
• Insurance: Both vehicles must be insured. The towed car needs at least third-party cover.
• Road tax: The towed vehicle must be taxed unless it is on a SORN and being towed to an MOT station.
• MOT: The towed car must have a valid MOT unless you are towing it to a pre-booked MOT test.
• Visibility: The towed car must display an "On Tow" sign at the rear.

Towing Methods

There are three main ways to tow a car in the UK:

Tow Rope Rules

If using a tow rope:

• The distance between the two vehicles must not exceed 4.5 metres.
• If the rope is longer than 1.5 metres, it must have a coloured flag or cloth tied to the middle.
• The rope must be strong enough for the weight of the towed car.

Speed Limits When Towing

Towing vehicles must follow reduced speed limits:

You must also stay in the left-hand lane on motorways when towing, unless overtaking.

Towing on a Motorway

You can tow on a motorway, but there are extra rules:

• You must not use the right-hand lane on a three-lane motorway.
• Maximum speed is 60 mph.
• Hazard lights should be used if you are significantly slower than other traffic.
• The towed vehicle must have working lights, including brake lights and indicators.

If the towed car has no power, its lights and indicators will not work. In that case, towing on a motorway is not safe or legal. Use a trailer or recovery service instead.

Who Can Steer the Towed Car?

When flat-towing with a rope or rigid bar, someone must sit in the towed car to steer and brake. That person must:

• Hold a full, valid driving licence.
• Be sober and alert.
• Be able to see the road clearly.
• Know how to use the brakes without power assistance (which requires more pedal force).

When to Call a Recovery Service

Sometimes towing is not practical or safe. Call for professional recovery if:

• The car has no working brakes or steering.
• You do not have the right equipment.
• The breakdown happens on a motorway and you cannot safely attach a tow rope.
• The car is an automatic. Many automatics cannot be flat-towed without damaging the gearbox.

Check whether your insurance includes breakdown recovery. Read our insurance types guide to understand your cover.

Towing Automatic Cars

Automatic cars need special care when being towed:

• Check the manual: Many automatics cannot be flat-towed. The gearbox oil pump only works when the engine is running, so towing without the engine running can destroy the transmission.
• Use a tow dolly or trailer: If the manual says no flat-towing, the front wheels must be off the ground.
• Short distances only: Some automatics can be towed at low speed for short distances (under 30 mph, under 15 miles). Check your manual for specific limits.

When in doubt, call a professional recovery service. A new automatic gearbox costs £1,500–£4,000. Recovery costs far less.

Final Thoughts

Towing a car in the UK is legal but heavily regulated. Get the equipment right, follow the speed limits, and make sure both vehicles are insured and taxed.

When in doubt, call a professional recovery service. It is safer and avoids any risk of fines or penalties.

Keep your car maintained to reduce the chance of breakdowns. Our car servicing guide covers the essential checks.

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