About driving
Key driving skills
Towing
Driving a heavy vehicle towing a trailer(s) requires special knowledge and skills. See driver licensing system for information about the licences required and how to get them.
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.
- 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.
- The towing connection and safety chain that holds the trailer/vehicle must be safe and strong.
- If you are towing another vehicle without a rigid towing system, eg with a rope or a strop, the maximum allowable speed is 50km/h.
- If you are towing another vehicle with a rigid towing connection, the maximum is 90km/h.
Last updated: 27 September 2010