Towing for work

From 16th December 2021, you are now legally allowed to tow a trailer or caravan that weighs up to 3500kg without taking an additional car and trailer test.

When towing for work, a trailer is seen as work equipment and will be subject to Provision of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER) 1998.

Work equipment is any machinery, appliance, apparatus, tool or installation for use at work (whether exclusively or not). This includes equipment which employees provide for their own use at work. The scope of work equipment is therefore extremely wide. The use of work equipment is also very widely interpreted and '...means any activity involving work equipment and includes starting, stopping, programming, setting, transporting, repairing, modifying, maintaining, servicing and cleaning'. (Sourced HSE.gov.uk)

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For compliance, the Employer:

• Must ensure work equipment is maintained in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair
• A machine has a maintenance log, keep this up to date
• Must ensure that all people using, supervising or managing the use of work equipment are provided with adequate, clear health and safety information. This will include, where necessary, written instructions on its use and suitable equipment markings and warnings
• Must ensure that all people who use, supervise or manage the use of work equipment have received adequate training, which should include the correct use of the equipment, the risks that may arise from its use and the precautions to take

It is highly recommended that you still undertake training if you have little or no experience towing a trailer.  This is particularly important if you are towing for work to meet the rquirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act.  This states that staff must be properly trained.

Insurance companies may also not cover drivers for towing, unless training has taken place.

TAG Trailer Towing Training provide certification for clients who reach the satisfactory standard for their training records.