Skip to content
Highway Code · Rule 98

Highway Code Rule 98

Rules for drivers and motorcyclists (89 to 102). A legal requirement (MUST / MUST NOT).

  • Rules for drivers and motorcyclists
  • Legal requirement
  • OGL v3.0

What the rule says

Law · MUST

Rule 98 (Vehicle towing and loading (rule 98)) Before towing. As a driver

  • you MUST NOT tow more than your licence permits. If you passed your car driving test on or after 1 January 1997, you are restricted on the weight of trailer you can tow
  • you MUST ensure that both your vehicle and your trailer are in a roadworthy condition. This includes checking that all tyres are legal, the trailer braking system is in full working order and all trailer lights are working correctly
  • you MUST NOT overload your vehicle or trailer. You should not tow a weight greater than that recommended by the manufacturer of your vehicle
  • you should distribute the weight in your caravan or trailer evenly with heavy items over the axle(s) and ensure a downward load on the tow ball. The manufacturer’s recommended weight and tow ball load should not be exceeded. This should minimise the possibility of swerving or snaking and loss of control
  • you MUST secure your load and it MUST NOT stick out dangerously. Make sure any heavy or sharp objects and any animals are secured safely. If there is a collision, they might hit someone inside the vehicle and cause serious injury
  • if your vehicle is narrower than your trailer or load, or your trailer or load obstructs your rearward view, then towing mirrors MUST be used
  • your trailer MUST be fitted with a secondary coupling device, such as a safety chain
  • carrying a load or pulling a trailer may require you to adjust your headlights. During towing. As a driver
  • you should be aware that reduced speed limits apply (see Rule 124)
  • you should be aware that your stopping distance may increase significantly when towing (see Rule 126)
  • you MUST NOT drive in the right-hand lane on motorways with three or more lanes (see Rule 265)
  • if the trailer starts to swerve or snake, or you lose control, ease off the accelerator and reduce speed gently to regain control. Do not brake harshly. Breakdowns. In the event of a breakdown, be aware
  • that towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous. You should consider using a solid tow bar or professional recovery
  • it may take longer to build up speed when rejoining a carriageway (see also Rule 278). For additional advice about towing safely, see Further reading. Laws CUR regs 27, 33, 86a & 100, RVLR reg 18, MT(E&W)R reg 12 & MV(DL)R reg 6, 7, 76 & sched 2

Rule text reproduced verbatim from the official Highway Code (Crown copyright) under the Open Government Licence v3.0, see the attribution at the foot of this page.

In plain English

Stripped of the formal wording, Rule 98 comes down to one idea: rule 98 (Vehicle towing and loading (rule 98)) Before towing. Because it is written with “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, it carries the force of law, ignore it and you are committing an offence, not simply driving badly.

It belongs to the rules for drivers and motorcyclists part of the Code, the habits a confident, considerate driver builds until they are automatic. The aim is not to memorise the sentence word for word, but to understand the hazard it protects you from, so you apply it without having to think when it counts.

If you are learning, treat this rule as one piece of a connected set rather than an isolated fact. The related rules below sit in the same section and reinforce each other, reading them together is how the rules for drivers and motorcyclists part of the Code starts to feel like common sense rather than a list to revise.

Because this is a legal rule, the consequences of ignoring it reach beyond the test: a “MUST” or “MUST NOT” breach can mean a fixed penalty, points on your licence, or in serious cases prosecution. Either way, the safe move is to build the habit early, while a driving instructor can correct it, rather than relearning it under test pressure. That is exactly what the practice routes and coaching in the DriveRoutes app are designed to help with, turning the rules below into the way you naturally drive.

Why rule 98 matters on the road

Pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders have little protection in a collision, so a moment of inattention from a driver can cause serious harm. Anticipating and giving them room is one of the clearest signs of a safe, considerate driver.

Common faults examiners record

In the rules for drivers and motorcyclists part of the Code, the faults most often written on the marking sheet tend to be the same handful. Knowing them in advance is the quickest way to drive them out of your own habits:

  • Passing cyclists or horses too closely or too fast.
  • Failing to anticipate a pedestrian stepping out near a crossing or parked cars.
  • Not giving way at a crossing when someone is clearly waiting.

On the day

Imagine approaching a cyclist on a narrow stretch during the drive. Applying Rule 98 means easing off early, holding back until you can see it is genuinely safe, then passing wide and slow before returning to your line. The examiner is watching for exactly that anticipation, not a squeeze past at speed.

Quick checklist

  • Scan ahead for pedestrians, cyclists and riders well before you reach them.
  • Give them room and time, pass wide and slow.
  • Be ready to stop at crossings and side roads.

More from Rules for drivers and motorcyclists

Related Highway Code rules

Rule 98, your questions

Rule 98 (Vehicle towing and loading (rule 98)) Before towing. It is a legal requirement, it uses “MUST” or “MUST NOT”, so breaking it is a criminal offence that can mean a fine, penalty points, or disqualification.

DriveRoutes is an independent study aid and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).