Black Volvo XC40 parked on a wet suburban residential street - do you need insurance to tow a car

Towing a car: insurance and legal requirements

Towing a car involves two vehicles, and each has its own insurance requirement. Your policy covers the towing vehicle. The towed car must also be insured - your policy does not automatically extend to it. Getting this wrong is not a grey area; driving an uninsured vehicle on a public road is an offence, regardless of whether it is under its own power.

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Does a towed car need to be insured?

Yes. All vehicles used on public roads in the UK must be insured under the Road Traffic Act 1988, and "use" includes being towed. A car being moved on a public road - even on a trailer, behind a tow rope, or on an A-frame - is classified as in use.

If the towed car has a valid insurance policy covering it, that typically satisfies the requirement. If the car is uninsured (perhaps a non-runner with no active cover), it is not automatically covered by the towing vehicle's policy. Towing an uninsured vehicle carries the same penalty as driving one: a fixed penalty notice, 6 points, and potential vehicle seizure.

There is no exemption for driving a newly purchased car home without insurance - this applies whether the car is driven under its own power or towed. You need valid cover in place before the vehicle moves on a public road at all. Drive away car insurance covers exactly this situation if you don't yet have an annual policy in place.

What does the towing vehicle's insurance cover?

The towing vehicle's policy covers the towing vehicle and its driver. Most standard UK car insurance policies do not automatically extend to cover the vehicle being towed.

Some policies include an extension for a towed vehicle's liability to third parties - meaning if the towed car causes damage to someone else while being towed, that damage may be covered. But this is not universal, and many policies are silent on the point.

Before towing any vehicle, check your policy wording or contact your insurer to confirm what is and is not covered. Do not assume an extension exists because the policy is comprehensive.

A-frame towing and the law

A-frame towing lifts the front wheels of the towed car off the ground on a rigid metal frame connected to the towing vehicle. It is legal in the UK for petrol and diesel cars, but with conditions.

Key rules for A-frame towing:

The towed vehicle must be insured in its own right
If the towed car's ignition is required to unlock the steering column, it must be started - meaning it is technically "in use" as a motor vehicle and must be insured as such
A registered keeper or a driver with permission must be present in the towed vehicle, unless a supplementary number plate board showing the towing vehicle's registration is displayed at the rear
Speed limits: 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways, 50mph on single carriageways
Many modern cars are not suitable for A-frame towing due to automatic gearboxes or electronic steering lock systems that cannot be fully disabled - check the manufacturer's guidance

Towing with a rope or rigid bar

Rope or rigid-bar towing is legal but restricted to short-distance movements when no other option is practical. The rules:

The tow rope or rigid bar must be no longer than 4.5 metres
If longer than 1.5 metres, it must be clearly marked so other road users can see it - a flag or reflective tape is the standard approach
A person must be seated in the towed vehicle to steer it
The towed vehicle's brakes must be capable of stopping it independently if the connection fails
Hazard lights should be displayed on the towed vehicle throughout

Rope towing is not appropriate for long distances. A trailer or professional recovery vehicle is the right solution for anything beyond a short local movement.

Towing speed limits

When towing, lower speed limits apply regardless of the road's posted limit. The rules:

Single carriageway roads: 50mph maximum (normal limit is 60mph for cars)
Dual carriageways and motorways: 60mph maximum (normal limit is 70mph)
Built-up areas: the standard 30mph or lower limit still applies

These limits apply whether you are towing on a trailer, an A-frame, or with a rope. A speed camera cannot distinguish between a car and a car towing - if you are doing 70mph on a motorway while towing, you are speeding.

Do you need a special licence to tow?

For drivers who passed their test after 1 January 1997, towing rights depend on the combined weight of the towing vehicle and trailer:

Combined maximum authorised mass (MAM) up to 3,500kg: a standard Category B (car) licence is sufficient
Combined MAM above 3,500kg: a Category BE licence is required
Total weight above 7,500kg involving a large trailer requires additional entitlements

For most private car owners towing a light trailer or recovering a car on a flat-bed trailer, a standard licence is usually sufficient. If you are towing a heavier car on a trailer, check the weights carefully. The combined figure catches many drivers out.

Towing a car for someone else

If you are towing someone else's car, you need to confirm both vehicles are insured. Your own policy covers your vehicle. The car being towed needs valid insurance in its own right, under a policy held by the owner.

If the towed car's insurance has lapsed or the owner is not sure of its status, the owner needs to arrange cover before the tow takes place. Temporary car insurance cannot be arranged on a vehicle being towed (the vehicle needs to be drivable and registered), but if you are borrowing the towing vehicle rather than using your own, a temporary policy on that vehicle covers you without affecting the owner's no claims discount.

Panning shot of a silver estate moving through a central London street - do you need insurance to tow a car

Before you tow: a pre-tow checklist

Before any tow on a public road:

Towing vehicle: confirm it is rated for the weight you are towing (check the handbook for towing capacity)
Towed vehicle: confirm it has valid insurance, or arrange it with the owner before moving
Tow method: ensure equipment is legal for the distance and road type
Lighting: check the towed vehicle's lights still work when connected, or use a supplementary lighting board
Number plate: the towed vehicle's rear plate must be visible, or a supplementary board displaying your registration must be fitted
Speed: allow for reduced speed limits on each road type

For anything beyond a short local recovery, the cost of hiring a professional recovery vehicle is often less than the risk of an incident or enforcement action during a private tow.

Frequently asked questions

Does a towed car need to be insured in the UK?

Yes. A vehicle being towed on a public road must be insured, even if it is not under its own power. The towing vehicle's policy does not automatically cover the towed car. If the towed car has its own valid policy, that generally satisfies the legal requirement.

What are the speed limits when towing in the UK?

When towing, the maximum speed is 50mph on single carriageways (normally 60mph), and 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways (normally 70mph). These lower limits apply to A-frame towing, trailer towing, and rope towing alike.

Can you tow a car on a motorway?

A-frame towing is permitted on motorways at a maximum of 60mph. Rope towing on a motorway is not generally allowed except in genuine emergency circumstances. If a vehicle breaks down on a motorway, contacting a professional recovery service is the safer and usually legally cleaner approach.

Do you need a special licence to tow a car in the UK?

If you passed your test after January 1997, your standard licence lets you tow up to a combined maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500kg. Above that threshold a Category BE licence is required. For most private car recoveries on a light trailer, a standard licence is sufficient - but check the combined vehicle and trailer weights to confirm.

What is the maximum length of a tow rope in the UK?

A tow rope or rigid bar must not exceed 4.5 metres. If it is longer than 1.5 metres, it must be clearly marked - typically with a flag or reflective tape - so other road users can see it. The towed vehicle must be steered by a person sitting in the driver's seat throughout.