Figures from the National Trailer and Towing Association (NTTA) show that the school summer holidays are one of the busiest times on the nation’s roads, with many people towing for the first time. With this in mind, the DVSA wants towers of all experience levels to consider some simple safety checks before they head out on their journey.

Whether towing a trailer, caravan, horsebox or boat, the DVSA advises people to:

• Make sure the brakes are working correctly
• Check the lights are undamaged and working correctly
• Check the coupling height is correct
• Use a breakaway cable or secondary coupling

The agency has also produced a short video to help make these essential safety checks straightforward.

DVSA Chief Executive Gareth Llewellyn said: DVSA’s first priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles, so we’re urging all those using trailers for the first time, as well as those who use them regularly, to take a few minutes to ensure their trailer is safe.”

NTTA Chief Executive Administrator James Nunn added: “We urge all users to keep their trailers properly maintained and to allow sufficient time before each journey to carry out essential checks that will ensure their towing experience is safe and legal at all times.”

The NTTA is offering free trailer safety checks to members of the public towing small (less than 3500kg) trailers. The Club also has a range of data sheets to help you ensure you are towing safely and legally.