Trailers

License

• The backside of the driving licence shows the driving licence categories as well as the date of issue and the final date of each category.

• Drivers who took a driving licence before 15 August 1997 automatically obtained both a B and a BE licence. Those who took the examination after 15 August 1997 only received a B qualification.

• Those who only have B licences can obtain BE licences by applying for a BE licence from the district commissioner, taking four practical hours with a driving instructor and taking a practical test afterwards.

Permitted gross weight by rights

B category

• Permitted total weight of car and trailer maximum 3500 kilos

• If the trailer is 750 kilos or less of the permitted total weight, the combined total weight of the trailer and car may not exceed 4250 kilos.

BE category

• Permitted total car weight maximum 3500 kilos

• Permitted total trailer weight maximum 3500 kilos

• Allowed combined total weight of car and trailer maximum 7000 kilos

The car

• The registration certificate of a car indicates the weight to which the trailer can be towed. The registration certificate can be found on My Page.

• A trailer towed by a car, whether it is a camping trailer, a pop-up trailer, a buggy or another kind, changes the driving characteristics of the vehicle. It gets heavier, more unstable and might zig zag on the road.

• A driver of a car fitted with ABS brakes towing a trailer which does not have these brakes must ensure that when the car suddenly brakes, there is a danger that the vehicle will not travel the same way as the vehicle and the trailer may even drive the vehicle off the road.

• If the trailer exceeds the width of the vehicle in such a way as to prevent the driver from seeing back along the sides of the car, the vehicle's side mirrors must be extended on both sides so that the driver can see back along the sides of the vehicle and the trailer.

• The vehicle coupling device shall be registered in the registration certificate. The registration certificate of the vehicle can be found on My Page.

Trailer equipment

• The registration certificate of the trailer can be found on My Page, which includes information and technical details of the vehicle.

• Trailers with a gross weight exceeding 750 kg must be equipped with brakes.

• The coupling device shall be reliable, of an approved type, and shall be registered in the registration certificate. A safety chain or safety wire shall always be used.

• All trailers must be equipped with lights mirroring the rear and side lights of the vehicle.

• Check parking lights, brake lights, indicator lights, fog lights, number plate lights and reflectors before taking off.

Trailer inspection

• The inspection requirement and the inspection frequency of trailers depends on the vehicle category and usage category. Both are shown in the registration certificate shown on My Page.

• The inspection month for mobile caravans (caravans, pop-up trailers and campers) is May regardless of registration number. Thus, the owners have May, June and July to have it inspected, but on 1 August a negligence fee is charged for the vehicle.

• The inspection month for other trailers shall be based on the last digit of the number plate as is the case for other vehicles. Thus trailers that have 1 as the last digit have January as the month of inspection, 2 as the last digit means that the month of inspection is February, etc. A vehicle with a 0 in the end must be submitted for inspection in October.

• Trailers of a maximum permissible weight not exceeding 750 kg are not subject to inspection unless they are caravans, pop-up trailers or camping trailers.

• The inspection frequency of trailers is as follows:

  • Caravans, pop-up trailers and campers shall be subject to the first inspection four years after registration and every two years thereafter.

  • Category II trailers (O2, authorised gross weight from 750 kg to 3,500 kg) shall be subject to the first inspection, four years after registration, every two years for the next two inspections and annually thereafter.

  • Category III and IV trailers (O3 and O4, maximum authorised weight in excess of 3,500 kg) shall be subject to an annual inspection after registration.

Insurance

When a vehicle tows a trailer or another device is attached to it, it is considered as a single unit and the owner (keeper) of the vehicle is not liable for damages in the event of damage to the trailer or the vehicle, see further details in  act on vehicle insurance no. 30/2019.

The owner (keeper) of a vehicle used for towing is liable for damages if damage results when it tows another vehicle.

Note that to insure the trailer itself it must be covered by a collision insurance; the vehicle's collision insurance never covers the trailer itself. Please consult your insurance company for special trailer insurance.

Driving speed

Under the Traffic Act no. 77/2019, which entered into force on 1 January 2020, the maximum speed for vehicles with trailers is not lower than for other vehicles, as it previously was. In no case shall drivers exceed a stated maximum speed. The maximum speed indicated is always based on the best possible conditions.

Speed is extremely important when it comes to road safety. As speed increases the longer the stopping distance becomes, the likelihood of the driver not being able to stop in time when there are unexpected events - not least when using a trailer, increases.

That said, however, it should be kept in mind that a trailer towed by a car, whether it is a camper trailer, a pop-up trailer, a cart or other kind of trailer, changes the driving characteristics of the vehicle. It will be heavier, less stable and might zig zag on the road (see article on the car above).

Wind safety criteria

• Wind can alter driving conditions and in the worst cases the trailer can be blown off the road along with the car. For motor caravans, caravans, pop-up trailers and other trailers, special care must be taken if there is constant wind of 15-19 m/sec and 15-25 m/sec in gusts.

• Observe the weather and road conditions on vedur.is.

Steady wind
15-19 m/sec Warning level 1-2 for motor caravans, caravans, pop-up trailers and other trailers
20-23 m/sec Warning level 1 for other vehicles
24-27 m/sec Warning level 2 for other vehicles
>28 m/sec Warning level 3 for other vehicles

Wind gust
15-25 m/sec Warning level 1-3 for camper vans, caravans, pop-up trailers and other trailers
26-29 m/sec Warning level 1 for other vehicles
30-35 m/sec Warning level 2 for other vehicles
>30 m/sec Warning level 3 for other vehicles

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