What documents are required for towing with a family car?
3 Answers
Towing trailers falls under the category of tractor vehicles, which require the driver to hold an A2 driver's license. Permitted vehicle types for A2 license: The A2 license allows driving tractor vehicles. Holders of a valid A2 license issued by China's public traffic police vehicle management authorities can operate heavy and medium-sized full trailers, semi-trailers, as well as vehicles permitted under B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, and M licenses. Driver's license renewal schedule: Drivers holding A, B, N, or P licenses, commercial transport drivers with C licenses, and drivers over 60 years old must renew their licenses annually. Drivers with other license types must renew every two years. The renewal deadline is based on the expiration date shown on the supplementary card of the driver's license.
I remember when I first prepared to tow a small trailer for camping, I specifically checked the regulations and found that there are several key documents required for towing with a family car. First, your driver's license must meet the requirements; if the towed item is relatively light, such as less than 750 kg, a Class C license is sufficient, but if it exceeds this weight, like towing an RV, you need to upgrade to a Class C1 or B license. Second, the trailer itself must have its own license plate, and you need to apply for registration at the vehicle management office, submitting the vehicle certificate and insurance policy, which is like getting an ID for the car. You also need compulsory traffic insurance on the road for protection in case of an accident. Before every trip, I check to make sure all the documents are with me, otherwise getting stopped by the authorities would be a big hassle. Additionally, don’t forget the annual inspection; trailers also need regular safety checks. For safety, I recommend beginners practice driving in an open area first, as towing changes the length of the vehicle, and you need to be careful with turns and reversing—don’t just focus on the documents and forget driving skills.
As a mom who frequently takes kids on road trips, I pay special attention to trailer towing regulations. For passenger cars towing trailers, you need the appropriate driver's license depending on weight - a regular Class C license suffices for small luggage racks, but trailers exceeding 700kg require at least a Class C1 license. Trailers must be registered with plates; you'll need to bring your ID and vehicle documents for registration, and compulsory traffic insurance is mandatory. I've noticed regional variations in rules too - highways often have stricter requirements, so I always check the latest regulations on the transport bureau website beforehand and carry photocopies. Safety is paramount - never skip documentation to save trouble, or you risk fines and liability issues if problems arise. My husband once got warned for missing trailer plates, so now we always keep all documents in the glove compartment for emergencies.
