About driving

Key driving skills

Towing

You must take extra care when towing a trailer or another vehicle. This is because, with the extra weight behind it, your vehicle will feel different to drive.

Follow the safe towing guidelines on these pages whenever you tow a trailer or another vehicle.

Note: the term 'trailer' includes caravans, boat and horse trailers, and heavy trailers. For more information, see Heavy combination vehicle definitions and specifications, Heavy combination vehicle types and Stability.

• You must know how to couple and uncouple the trailer.
• You must know how to position the towing vehicle when turning so the trailer wheels don't encroach onto the kerb or over the centre line (swept path).
• You must know how to load the trailer so it is stable when cornering.

Safe towing guidelines

• You must be able to see behind the towed trailer or vehicle. If you can't see behind with your rear-view mirrors, you may need to fit a special mirror.
• There must be no more than 4 metres between your vehicle and the trailer or vehicle it is towing.
• The towing connection and safety chain that holds the trailer/vehicle must be safe and strong.
• The maximum speed when towing a motorcycle is 30 km/h.
• You must not tow a motorcycle unless it is mechanically disabled.
• At night, the back of the trailer/towed vehicle must show a red light.
• If you're towing a disabled vehicle at night, its headlights must light up the towing connection.
• Remember, you may be slower than other traffic when towing. Check behind often to see if other vehicles are held up behind you.
• If the road is winding or narrow and vehicles can't pass you, stop at a safe place and let them pass.
• Leave more space than usual between your vehicle and the vehicle in front, so that others can pass you.
• Remember that the added weight behind you means you will need more space to stop.