IMPORTANT - Changes To Caravan Registration Laws In Europe
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Isn’t it more a case of the Govt letting people down?
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Yes, somebody overlooked the terms of the Vienna Convention when the UK ratified the agreement in 2018. It states quite clearly that all signatory countries are to implement trailer registration, not only those of the EU. It also makes no mention of an exception for non-commercial trailers. That is something that only applies in the EU for EU registered towing vehicles.That was overlooked when UK legislation covering trailer registration was written.0
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I've registered my caravan, and there is a facility to find dvla registered plate suppliers close to your postcode. I used a local one who knew nothing about the new requirments. But Western Towing have an option on their Web page to purchase a plate once you upload the certificate given after you register. This certificate is valid for 5 days. A certificate to keep with your van will be posted later.
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Still no official notifications from UK Gov not DVLA , very poor show, seems more info is being provided by commercial interests. One thing that is becoming apparent is over the grey area of towing a car on an "A" frame in the EU. This will not be possible as a trailer registration for the car will not be obtainable.
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This could be the start of a process leading to separate vehicle tax and MOT !
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A vehicle MOT does not worry me, on the contrary it could be a very good idea. If the same as a car MOT then I'd imagine it would be about the same as a night at a typical club site. If you buy a caravan in Holland it will come with a service and MOT history. You are unlikely to buy a totally knackered old wreck that is possible in the UK. Just consider how many times you hear tails of woe over damp issues that have gone unnoticed. How many caravans do you see straining under the excess load they have been subjected to that could have effected suspension and axle.
Colin
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Hi
The law is quite straightforward, Any trailer over 750kg (which includes caravans) must be registered with the DVLA, not only that, whilst travelling in the EU you must also carry the registration certificate with you.
For the sake of £26 it's not worth trying to ignore it, and risk getting a fine.1 -
On 26 August 2025, the Club became aware of updated guidance on the gov.uk website advising UK trailer owners, including caravanners, to register their trailers before traveling to most European countries (see link here).
This changes the long standing practice by which UK leisure trailers including caravans, have been able to travel throughout Europe without requiring individual registration for the trailer itself. As the information on the actual registration process on the government website remains unchanged and with conflicting advice, the Club has used its industry and governmental contacts to seek clarification on the exact situation.
We have now been advised by a senior DVLA official that:
- A 'small number' of British caravan owners have faced enforcement action in Germany for not having separate registration plates and certificates for their caravans. (Whilst the UK differentiates between commercial and non-commercial trailers, many EU countries require all types of trailers over 750kg to be registered.)
- As a result of that, DVLA now advises that caravan and trailer owners register their trailers over 750kg to avoid any difficulties in Europe. This can be done via this link here. Registration will cost £26, a certificate will be issued and the applicant will need to get a trailer registration plate to display on the caravan.
- The current online registration process shows that registration is not necessary but DVLA have confirmed that they are in the process of changing this.
- The advice applies if you plan to drive to or through most countries in Europe, apart from Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Spain.
- UK authorities will not be enforcing this requirement but there is a risk of local enforcement abroad.
The Club remains in discussion with other parties on this issue and we will update with further information should it become available.
Please note:
- In this context, 'registration' means certification via the government UK Trailer Registration Scheme and not registration via any other scheme, such as CRiS, operated by the National Caravan Council.
- For clarity, there is no requirement to register touring caravans, or other trailers up to 3,500kg, for use solely within the UK.
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Rowena, I'm sure I am not the only one to welcome this input from the "Club", but I am equally amazed and saddened that it has taken 3 weeks for this to happen.
Colin
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@eribaMotters Personally I would think a concise and correct statement from the club made with full discussion and input from various and official bodies three weeks late, and after all these things take time and no one wants to publicly publish a statement which is incorrect, is far better than once done in haste which may be incorrect, which would you prefer?
I assume the other club and other organisations have made similar statements? I can't find anything from the CCC, or the AA/RAC, and only one statement from Caravan Guard, and the official GOV.uk website.
Hopefully others will be found?
As an aside I've contacted working traffic and urban police in Italy, and from their searches it appears no one has been fined in Italy, in fact two didn't even know this EU law existed. I wonder why this small number has only happened in Germany.
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I think any blame here has to be firmly attached to the UK Govt. Even now the DVLA website isn’t correct, as Ro pointed out.
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Fair comment Cornersteady, our post Brexit government is negligent in this matter, but the least I would have expected is the "Club" to have made a statement a few weeks ago along the lines of, "Please bear with us on this matter that has recently come to our attention. Our team is looking into the finer points and we will issue a press release when we are fully aware of what action members need to take"
Colin
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Fair point too @eribaMotters
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This has just appeared on my Caravan Guard email
Open this link and the drop down, and this should open the article.
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Yes that was what I was talking about a few posts ago.
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The link provided suggests that it is something new and only required by European countries. For the UK the requirement has actually been in effect since 2018 but, due to an obvious oversight, has only recently been publicised.0
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After reading these posts I checked on the DVLA site. To me it seems that other than the exempted listed countries everyone with a caravan over 750kg needs to be registered and have an extra number plate fitted to the rear or sides of the their caravan. This may not be mandatory in the UK but is for travel in Europe.
We intend to visit Spain in the winter this year and France for the summer next year!
My understanding is that we will need to have the caravan registered in the UK and a number plate fitted in addition to the normal number plate!
It would appear that once again the club has failed to inform members and keep up with current issues on this matter!
Any comments would be much appreciated
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I don't know where the government website got its information from that the plate can be mounted on the side of the caravan because the agreement that the UK signed stipulates quite clearly that the plate shall be, quote, "at right angles to the vehicle's median longitudinal plane".0
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See Rowena’s post #75 up page.
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Firstly it is not mandatory for towing in the UK - no may about it and not needed in all of Europe.
once again the club has failed… when was the last time?
The club can only take its stance from official bodies like the DVLA and the government, so it might be that the government has failed but not the club.
Also failed to inform members…
Well only those members who want to tow in certain parts of Europe, not all members, the club hasn't failed me.
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I really don't know where you got that from either Lutz, it says clearly:
…on the rear of the caravan in a visible, vertical position, separate from the towing vehicle's plate. You may also affix a plate to both sides of the caravan if the rear isn't feasible.
I would think that the agreement the UK signed is different to actual law? After all this is what you alluded to upthread:
quite clearly that all signatory countries are to implement trailer registration, not only those of the EU. It also makes no mention of an exception for non-commercial trailers. That is something that only applies in the EU for EU registered towing vehicles
which tends to suggest what was signed wasn't actually implemented? The UK, thankfully, did not implement trailer registration, Spain doesn't either, and makes your post rather moot?
Still you know best I suppose and as Lauren would say…
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But how can the law be written in a manner that could result in a challenge being brought about by the authorities over on the other side of the Channel?
What I quoted was out of the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic 1968, that the UK ratified in 2018. One gets the impression that whoever put the relevant piece of UK legislation together didn't read what the UK had previously agreed to.0 -
I have no idea what that means.
Lutz, whatever countries signed up to, or ratified (
signatory countries areto implement trailer registration)it it is clear that certain countries did not implement it. The UK, Spain, Ireland and Malta for example have not. It appears clear to me at least that what countries signed for did not become law or been implemented, in some countries.Certainly not in the UK, we do not have to have trailer registration for caravans - I think we can agree on that? No matter that the UK ratified the agreement.
Also
It also makesno mention of an exception for non-commercial trailers.That is something that only applies in the EU for EU registered towing vehiclesSo it makes no mention of an exemption yet this exception exists in the EU? Again what has been ratified has not become law or implemented?
But you know best. But again I refer to to Lauren Cooper, people can now register, what is needed for some EU countries is clear and it's done and dusted so discussing laws and conventions is a moot point. Just pay up, register and get on with towing in those countries that require it. Time for a bet😊
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