Trailer & Caravan Registration for use abroad

from Western Towing – www.westerntowing.co.uk

Registration of Commercial Vehicles for use abroad

DVLA Trailer Registration – Rules for Trailers & Caravans Over 750kg

Updated: 26 August 2025

If you plan to take your trailer or caravan abroad, you may need to register it with the DVLA.

From now on, all trailers and caravans with a gross weight over 750kg must be registered if you intend to use them outside the UK – except when travelling between the UK and Ireland, or visiting Spain, Cyprus, or Malta.

Western Towing can help you understand the rules and get your trailer registration plate quickly.

Do You Need to Register Your Trailer?

You must register your trailer or caravan with the DVLA if:

It has a gross weight over 750kg
You plan to use it in most EU, EEA, and European countries

These rules apply to both leisure and commercial trailers.

✅ Trailers under 750kg do not need to be registered, unless you choose to register voluntarily for theft protection.

Countries Where Trailer Registration Is Required

The rule applies to countries that have signed the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.

Popular European destinations where registration is required include:

Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and many others.

Note: Trailers do not need registration for use only in the UK or for UK–Ireland trips.
Spain, Cyprus, and Malta are also exempt, unless you drive through a country where registration is required.

Trailer Registration Requirements

To register your trailer or caravan with the DVLA, you will need:

Manufacturer's details
Trailer chassis number
Permissible Maximum Mass (PMM)
Unladen mass

Once registered, the DVLA will send you a Trailer Registration Certificate.

How to Register Your Trailer

You can register online via the DVLA:
Apply for Trailer Registration Here ✅

After you receive your registration certificate, Western Towing can provide your official DVLA-compliant trailer registration plate.

Order Your Trailer Registration Plate Here

Displaying Your Trailer Registration Plate

You must fit a separate trailer registration plate at the rear of the trailer
A UK sticker is also required
If there isn't space on the rear, you can place two plates on each side instead