The primary focus of the Trailer and Towing Safety APPG is to bring together parliamentarians, industry representatives and consumer groups to discuss and raise awareness of trailer and towing safety. Through its APPG meetings and discussions, the group has a number of different work streams and research projects to consider. The latest legislative developments, associated industry reports and inquiries on trailer safety can be found below.
Report from Tilly Pass 2023
Results following the APPG AGM discussions:
- Harper Adams and Trailer Dealership engagement days with
Freshers and returning students in September 2023 - Farmer engagement
- Police Action Days with NVICS, Environment Agency, Norfolk &
Suffolk Police - Farmer & Operator training pilot with police and technicians
Caravan towing guide
In this guide, we provide simple, easily
understood advice on:
- the safe matching of caravans to cars
- the calculation of the ratio of caravan weight to car weight for safe towing
- what you need to take into account before towing a caravan
- good driving techniques so you can tow with confidence
- the legal aspects to towing a caravan.
Baroness Vere letter regarding DVSA Trailer Training Accreditation Scheme
Minister's letter regarding DVSA Trailer Training Accreditation Scheme launch and update. DVSA's progress and the process of recognising accreditation schemes.
APPG update on light trailer checks
Powerpoint presentation from DfT to the APPG - a total of 3,813 non-testable trailers were checked, 730 of which were caravans. Of non-caravan trailers inspected, 50% were found to have a prohibitable defect. Report contains detail of the defects.
Whatever you're towing make it SAFE campaign update February 2022
Whatever you’re towing, make it SAFE campaign update February 2022. DVSA continues to remind motorists about the need to tow safely and carry out safety checks before towing.
Whatever you’re towing, make it SAFE campaign update December 2021
DVSA will continue to remind motorists about the need to tow safely and carry out safety checks before towing.
DVSA non-testable trailer & caravan roadside inspection survey Feb 2022
A total of 3,813 non-testable trailers were checked, 730 of which were caravans.
Trailer checks aimed to cover a range of trailer types, users and locations.
DVSA non-testable trailer & caravan roadside inspection survey
Objective: to check 1300 small trailers (3.5t or less) and 700 caravans. Trailer checks aimed to cover a range of trailer types, users and check locations.
Survey started 1 Sept 2019 and was extended to run until Sept 2021.
NaVCIS – Supporting Roadside Checks
NaVCIS has recently supported checks across a wide number of Police Force areas. These include:- Derbyshire / Northamptonshire / Cambridgeshire / Norfolk / Suffolk / Leicestershire / Gwent / Staffordshire.
Where NaVCIS has supported these checks, the purpose has been to examine a wide cross section of light trailers – up to 3,500kgs.
Chair of APPG writes to MPs to support SAFE campaign
Karin Smyth MP, Chair of the Trailer APPG, writes to fellow MPs asking for their support for the SAFE campaign.
SAFE stakeholder campaign toolkit
The DVSA summer campaign Whatever you’re towing, make it SAFE
Stakeholder campaign toolkit for delivery of towing safety messages to drivers new to towing/who have not towed for a long time.
Baroness Vere letter regarding SAFE campaign
Information on the SAFE Towing Campaign and an update to the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Trailer Towing and Safety,
The upcoming campaign which the DVSA will undertake from 21 May will deliver towing safety messages to those new to towing and drivers who've towed before but have not done so for some time.
DVSA trailer & caravan roadside inspection survey
DVSA non-testable trailer & caravan roadside inspection survey, with results showing prohibition rates and various prohibition defects.
APPG Trailer and Towing Safety Workplan
APPG Trailer and Towing Safety - Workplan 2021
Work programme for the year ahead will include towing safety issues to be raised in the House; plus safety issues surrounding agricultural vehicles; roadside checks; all stakeholders to work to raise awareness of issues
#towsafe4freddie - Early summer campaign
DVSA discussion document - early summer campaign looking at opportunities and the strategic approach to be taken.
Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State dated 16 February 2021
Letter covers the importance of local workshops being permitted to open to carry out annual servicing and repairs.
Trailer Safety Report 2019
On 18 July 2019, the Minister of State for Transport, Michael Ellis MP, announced to the House the publication of a report into trailer safety. This sets out the Government’s position as required by the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act 2018.
National Towing Working Group Safety Framework
The National Towing Working Group (NTWG) Safety Framework has been produced to outline how Highways England and the other partners of the NTWG will address towing safety together and deliver their mission to reduce towing related incidents, both domestic and business on all roads.