Archive: caravan licence requirements in official 2023 texts

Historical scope: check the GVWs shown in the documents

This is an archive article on scenarios documented in consolidated 2023 sources. It is not enough to look at the size of the caravan or calculate what you intend to load. The reference used in those scenarios is the maximum authorised mass (MAM) of the towing vehicle and the MAM of the caravan. The General Vehicle Regulations define MAM as the maximum mass at which a loaded vehicle may travel on public roads, and define the MAM of a combination as the sum of the masses of the loaded motor vehicle and loaded trailer.

There are two separate checks. One concerns the licence: the trailer MAM and, where applicable, the combination MAM. The other concerns documentation and type approval: the limits and conditions recorded for those specific units. The documentary sum used in the scenarios explained does not replace type-approval provisions. References to the General Driver Regulations in this guide correspond to the linked consolidated text of 26 May 2023.

In that consolidated text, category B expressly authorises a trailer with a MAM of up to 750 kg. For a combination with a trailer over 750 kg MAM whose combination MAM exceeds 3,500 kg and does not exceed 4,250 kg, category B with code 96 is provided for. The B+E licence authorises a combination made up of a towing vehicle suitable for category B and a trailer or semi-trailer with a MAM not exceeding 3,500 kg. This article does not determine the scenario of a trailer over 750 kg MAM with a combination MAM within the category B limit, because it has no approved fact to support it.

Section references: Reglamento General de Conductores — texto consolidado ↗ · Reglamento General de Vehículos — texto consolidado ↗

• Do not calculate the historical scenarios explained using kerb weight or the estimated weight of luggage.
• For historical scenarios that depend on the combination, add the MAM of the car and the caravan.
• In the linked consolidated 2023 text, a trailer of up to 750 kg is expressly authorised under category B.
• The scenario of a trailer over 750 kg with a combination within the category B limit is not determined by this article.
• Check the limits, data and conditions stated in the documentation for the car and trailer.

Which figures to find in the documentation

Before adding anything up, gather the documentation for the car and caravan. The figure used for the licence in the scenarios explained is the MAM of each. The registration certificate template includes, among other fields, F.1, which is the technically permissible maximum laden mass, and F.2, the maximum laden mass permitted for the vehicle in service in Spain. These fields identify vehicle masses, but they should not on their own be treated as a complete answer for all data relating to the car, trailer or combination; compare them against the registration document and the applicable documentation for each unit.

On the towing vehicle, find the exact designation recorded in its documentation for towable mass and, if shown, the maximum permissible mass of the combination. Type-approval documentation expressly includes MAM, the maximum permissible towable mass and the maximum permissible mass of the combination. They are different figures and serve different checks.

The maximum authorised towable mass is the maximum mass of the trailer or semi-trailer intended to be hitched to the motor vehicle for registration or entry into service. The technically permissible maximum mass of the combination, meanwhile, is a limit linked to the construction of the towing vehicle and specified by the manufacturer. Neither figure should be confused with kerb weight, which includes items such as fluids, tools, a spare wheel where fitted and the driver. Kerb weight is not MAM.

Section references: Reglamento General de Vehículos — texto consolidado ↗ · Real Decreto 750/2010 — documentación y masas de homologación ↗ · Modelo de permiso de circulación ↗

• From the car: the mass fields available in its documentation, including the towable-mass designation recorded and the maximum permissible mass of the combination if shown.
• From the caravan: its documented MAM and the data applicable to that unit.
• For the historical scenarios explained: the MAM of the car and the MAM of the caravan.
• Review the complete documentation for both vehicles and the type-approval conditions.

B, B with code 96 and B+E: scenarios documented in 2023

The linked consolidated text of 26 May 2023 states that category B allows the driving of vehicles suitable for that category with a trailer whose MAM does not exceed 750 kg.

This article does not determine the scenario of a caravan over 750 kg MAM when the combination MAM remains within the limit applicable to category B: it has no approved fact supporting its requirements and limits.

When the caravan exceeds 750 kg MAM and the combination exceeds 3,500 kg but does not exceed 4,250 kg, the linked consolidated 2023 text provides for category B with code 96, provided the towing vehicle is suitable for category B and the other applicable requirements are met. Spain's DGT identifies this range as category B with authorisation for a combination between 3,500 and 4,250 kg MAM and states that it requires passing specific manoeuvres. The General Driver Regulations provide for a test of skills and behaviour in this scenario, with the possibility of replacement by training if established by a ministerial order.

The linked consolidated 2023 text states that the B+E licence allows a combination consisting of a towing vehicle suitable for category B and a trailer or semi-trailer whose MAM does not exceed 3,500 kg. Applicable type-approval conditions must also be met.

Do not extrapolate these historical scenarios to every possible hitching arrangement: the licence rules expressly retain type-approval provisions. In other words, B96 or B+E do not replace the type-approval conditions applicable to the vehicle.

Section references: Clases de permisos de conducir ↗ · Reglamento General de Conductores — texto consolidado ↗

• In the linked consolidated 2023 text, a caravan of up to 750 kg MAM: B for a towing vehicle suitable for B.
• Caravan over 750 kg with a combination within the limit applicable to category B: scenario not determined by this article.
• According to the linked consolidated 2023 text, caravan over 750 kg and combination MAM over 3,500 kg and up to 4,250 kg: B with code 96 if the towing vehicle is suitable for B and applicable requirements are met.
• According to the linked consolidated 2023 text, B+E: towing vehicle suitable for B and trailer or semi-trailer with a MAM of up to 3,500 kg, in addition to the conditions applicable to the combination.

How to calculate it: example and five-step method

The following calculation illustrates only the scenarios included in the linked consolidated text of 2023. Imagine a car with a MAM of 2,100 kg and a caravan with a MAM of 1,800 kg. The sum is 3,900 kg. As the trailer exceeds 750 kg and the combination is above 3,500 kg without exceeding 4,250 kg, the scenario may fall under category B with code 96 in that text, provided the towing vehicle is suitable for B and the applicable requirements are met. The B+E licence may also qualify the driver for this combination if its conditions are met.

This example does not confirm that this car can tow that caravan or that the applicable type-approval conditions are met. To establish this, the data and limits in the applicable official documentation for the towing vehicle and trailer must be reviewed. Nor does it allow real values to be replaced with those of another trim, engine or model year: the check must be made using the documents for the specific units.

Section references: Reglamento General de Conductores — texto consolidado ↗ · Reglamento General de Vehículos — texto consolidado ↗ · Real Decreto 750/2010 — documentación y masas de homologación ↗

• 1. Note the car's MAM as shown in its documentation.
• 2. Note the caravan's MAM, not its kerb weight or an estimated load.
• 3. Add both figures and compare them with the historical scenarios listed for B with a trailer of up to 750 kg, B with code 96 or B+E. If the trailer exceeds 750 kg and the combination remains within the limit applicable to category B, this article does not determine the licence required.
• 4. Review all limits and conditions stated in the applicable official documentation for the car and caravan.
• 5. To determine the current licence requirement or where technical data are missing, consult the rules and official documentation applicable to both units and, where appropriate, the manufacturer or competent authority.

Documentary checks before buying or renting

Having the correct licence does not guarantee that the car can tow the chosen caravan. This is a separate check from the licence and should be made before booking or buying: the licence scenarios explained use the trailer MAM and, where relevant, the combination MAM, while the documentary limits of the towing vehicle and trailer and applicable type-approval conditions must also be checked. A vehicle may place you in the B96 range because of the sum of MAMs and still require an additional documentary check for that caravan.

When renting, ask the company before booking for the exact data of the unit you will be given, including the caravan's MAM. Compare it with your car's documentation, not with a generic sales specification. Also review the mass data and conditions shown for both units. If any technical data are missing, consult the official documentation applicable to both units and, where appropriate, the manufacturer or competent authority. If the assigned caravan changes, repeat the review.

Avoid three shortcuts. The first is using kerb weight: it is not the same as MAM. The second is relying only on the expected holiday load: the licence scenarios described are classified by MAM, without prejudice to applicable technical limits and documentary conditions. The third is assuming that an SUV, crossover or a car with a tow bar can pull any caravan: the data and conditions of the specific units must be checked.

See more content on Caravaning and Regulations and procedures if you are preparing your first combination.

Section references: Reglamento General de Conductores — texto consolidado ↗ · Reglamento General de Vehículos — texto consolidado ↗ · Real Decreto 750/2010 — documentación y masas de homologación ↗

• Checklist before booking or buying:
• Current driving licence and whether B96 or B+E is needed under the applicable rules.
• Documented MAM of the specific car and caravan.
• Complete documentation for the car and trailer, including the mass data and limits shown.
• Applicable type-approval conditions.
• Official documentation applicable to both units and, where appropriate, consultation with the manufacturer or competent authority if technical data are missing.