Can I tow a trailer with a category B licence?
It depends on the trailer's and assembly's mass. With a category B licence you can tow a light trailer, with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) up to 750 kg, driving an assembly up to 4,250 kg total (e.g. a 3,500 kg car + a 750 kg trailer), without needing B96 or BE. For a trailer over 750 kg, you can tow with category B only if the total assembly doesn't exceed 3,500 kg; with the B96 extension, the assembly can reach 4,250 kg. Category BE allows a trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM, if the vehicle is homologated to tow that mass. Note: your car's homologated towing capacity (with/without brakes) also matters and can't be exceeded, whatever your licence allows. In short: a light trailer (≤750 kg) — with B; heavier — with B96 or BE.
📋 The rules
- Category B: trailer up to 750 kg, assembly ≤ 4,250 kg
- Trailer over 750 kg with B: total assembly ≤ 3,500 kg
- B96: assembly up to 4,250 kg
- BE: trailer up to 3,500 kg MAM
- Observe the car's homologated towing capacity
🔓 Exceptions
- Trailers over 750 kg: their own brakes are mandatory
- The car's towing capacity: an absolute limit, whatever the licence
- For large masses: category C1E or higher may be needed
⚠️ Penalties & fines
If you exceed the limits allowed by your licence category or the car's towing capacity, you risk a fine, penalty points and even immobilisation of the vehicle. Driving an assembly you don't hold the right category for can be treated as driving without a licence for that category — a serious offence. In addition, in a crash, the insurer can refuse to pay damages, and you can be personally liable. To stay compliant: check the trailer's and assembly's MAM, observe the towing capacity in the car's documents (with and without brakes), get B96 or BE if you tow heavier trailers and make sure a trailer over 750 kg has its own brakes. Always calculate the masses before setting off with the trailer.
📎 Official sources
- GEO 195/2002 · Road Code →
- Application regulation · licence categories →
- Directorate for Driving Licences and Vehicle Registration (DGPCI) →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I tow a trailer with just category B?
Yes, but with limits. With category B you can tow a light trailer, with a maximum authorised mass up to 750 kg, driving an assembly up to 4,250 kg total. For a trailer over 750 kg, you can tow with B only if the total assembly doesn't exceed 3,500 kg; otherwise you need B96 or BE.
What is the B96 code?
B96 is an extension of category B that lets you drive a category B vehicle plus a trailer over 750 kg, provided the total assembly doesn't exceed 4,250 kg. It's obtained through extra training and a practical exam, without needing a completely new category.
When do I need category BE?
Category BE is needed to tow a heavier trailer, with a maximum authorised mass up to 3,500 kg, provided the towing vehicle is homologated to tow that mass. BE is obtained through a separate exam and covers assemblies larger than those allowed by B or B96.
Does the car's towing capacity matter?
Yes, and it's an absolute limit. Your car's homologated towing capacity, with and without brakes, listed in the vehicle's identity document, can't be exceeded whatever your licence category allows. You must observe both the licence limits and the car's technical ones.
What do I risk exceeding the towing limits?
You risk a fine, penalty points and immobilisation of the vehicle. Driving an assembly you don't hold the right category for can be treated as a serious offence. In addition, in a crash, the insurer can refuse to pay damages, and you can be personally liable for the harm caused.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “trailer category b 750 kg”
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