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Lights
A caravan must have two rear lights conforming to certain size requirements and bearing the appropriate CE mark. Side lights are required if the caravan extends laterally more than 400mm beyond the outer edge of the towcar's sidelights, and on all post-1985 caravans over 1600mm wide. Marker lights must be fitted 'as high as practicable' on the side or at the front and rear of caravans more than 2.1m wide.
MOT
Caravans are not subject to MoT tests.
Motorways
Caravans or other trailers are not permitted in the outside lane of three- or four-lane motorways, when all lanes are in use.
Number Plate
A caravan must carry a rear number plate with the same registration mark as the towcar and be illuminated at night. The plate may be reflective or non- reflective, but must conform to the same size and colour regulations as for cars.
Parking
When the caravan is uncoupled, the parking brake must be applied. If parked on the road coupled to the car, sidelights must remain in use after dark.
Passengers
Other than authorised test personnel, passengers must not travel in a towed caravan.
Rear Foglights
Caravans manufactured after 1 October 1979 must be fitted with one or a matched pair of rear foglights. If only one is fitted, it must be on the offside. 25W bulbs are the maximum permitted, wired for use only with headlights or front foglamps, and a driver warning light must be fitted. The car's rear foglights may be disconnected when towing.
Reflectors
Rear: two triangular reflectors are required. Four types are permitted, but are usually solid red or red with a white centre. Side: Caravans over 5 metres (16ft 4.85in) in length excluding drawbar must carry two amber reflectors on each side if used on the road in the dark.
Speed Limits
Caravans towed by private cars or car-derived vans are subject to a speed limit of 50mph on all ordinary roads on which a lower limit is not in force. On motor-ways and dual carriageways, the limit is 60mph, again subject to a lower limit not being in force.
Spare Bedroom
A caravan stored in the owner's garden may be used as a spare bedroom to accommodate guests (not paying). Friends can bring their own caravan and stay within the garden of a house.
Stop Lights
Caravans made before January 1971 must have at least one stop light fitted on the offside, and an additional stop light may be fitted on the nearside. Caravans built after January 1971 must have two red stop lights symmetrically positioned, at the same height from the ground.
Television
Receivers used in caravans are covered by the owner's domestic TV licence as long the caravan is occupied by someone resident where the licence is held.
Toilets
No caravan may be equipped with a toilet which discharges its contents directly on to the road.
Caravan Road Tax
There is no road tax on a touring caravan that is used for private recreational purposes.
Tyres
Safety regulations for car tyres -tread, cuts, blisters, pressures etc - apply to caravans. Recut tyres must not he used. Cross-ply and radials must not be mixed on the same axle. An offence would probably occur if a caravan's actual laden weight exceeded the maximum load for the tyres.
Weight
EU directives adopted by the caravan industry refer to Mass In Running Order, Essential Equipment Payload, Personal Equipment Payload and Optional Equipment Payload, each of which must he specified by the manufacturer. The maximum laden weight of a caravan is now defined as the Maximum Technical Permissible Laden Mass (MTPLM). Kerbweight of a towcar is the weight of the vehicle (without towing bracket) when it carries no person, but with a full supply of fuel, adequate other liquids incidental to its propulsion, and no load other than the loose tools and equipment with which the vehicle is normally supplied.
Width
The maximum width for a caravan towed by a car is 2.3 metres or 7ft 6.5 inches.
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