Four in five drivers lack confidence to start towing

More than 80% of drivers who had not towed before would not be confident to do so for the first time, with 65% claiming reverse parking was their biggest worry.

The research, from Škoda UK, comes as more than 18 million extra drivers in the UK can now legally tow without any additional training thanks to a recent rule change.

The legislation change, implemented in December 2021, means that fully qualified drivers are no longer required to take additional training in order to be able tow a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM (Maximum Authorised Mass), a rule that had been in place since 1997 and required an additional licence.

However, despite the new rules coming into effect, just 14% of respondents were aware of them.

Of the 39% of drivers that had experience of towing a trailer, more than half (55%) said that the biggest problem when doing so was reverse parking, with 50% also citing general reversing manoeuvres as an issue.

Related: 14-year-old caught towing caravan on M4 with three friends ordered to pay £20

A number of these drivers admitted to hitting items when towing including a gate post, a corner of a building and a lamp post.

The most common item towed by drivers was a caravan, with more than half of those that had towed having done so, followed by a trailer for equipment such as boats and jet skis, and then hauling a trailer tent with their vehicle.

Amid the change in law on towing, drivers can still face fines of up to £2,500 if the correct tow bar is not used.

All towbars must meet EU regulations and be designed specifically for the vehicle.

Meanwhile, extended mirrors should be fitted for an unrestricted view of the road to avoid an additional £1,000 fine.

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