Should Caravan Owners Need a Special Licence to Tow? The Debate Heating Up in 2025
Luckily neither of the two travellers in this caravan roll-over pictured above sustained major injuries when it crashed on the Mitchell Highway, south of Charleville in early May 2022. (Image by: Police Media)
Australia’s roads are getting more dangerous – and caravans are in the spotlight. With a growing number of accidents involving towed vehicles, industry experts and safety advocates are asking a controversial question: Should caravan owners be required to have a special licence to tow?
The debate is dividing travellers, with some calling for immediate reform and others warning of a costly overreach. Here’s what you need to know.
Take the poll below.
Caravan Crashes Are Rising – and So Are the Concerns
The surge in domestic travel has seen a record number of caravans hit the road. But with that freedom comes risk. In Queensland alone, over 50 deaths and nearly 1,000 injuries were recorded in towing-related incidents between 2017 and 2021.
Authorities estimate that up to 90% of caravans are overweight or incorrectly loaded, making them ticking time bombs on our highways. That’s not just dangerous – it’s illegal.
Why the Call for a Special Towing Licence Is Gaining Momentum
Industry groups like RACQ, NTRO, and Caravanning Queensland are pushing hard for mandatory towing courses and licence endorsements for anyone towing large trailers or caravans.
Key reasons:
Too many unsafe setups on the roads
A standard driver’s licence doesn’t teach towing skills
Public safety is being compromised
Some experts argue Australia is lagging behind other countries like the UK, where formal towing licences were once required and training remains encouraged.
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Should the Government Subsidise Towing Courses?
In a move that’s gained traction fast, safety advocates are calling on state governments to subsidise towing courses, especially for new caravanners and grey nomads.
The goal? Make education more accessible and stop putting unprepared drivers behind the wheel of multi-tonne setups.
But not everyone agrees…
The Argument Against: Cost, Complexity & Overregulation?
Some see the idea of a special licence as a red-tape nightmare. Critics say:
It could deter tourism
Older travellers might be unfairly impacted
The cost of courses may add pressure during a cost-of-living crisis
Queensland’s Transport Minister has already pushed back, stating there are no current plans to mandate special licences.
What Training Options Exist Now?
Right now, training is optional – but many believe that’s not enough.
Available options include:
Tow-Ed and Caravanning QLD accredited courses
Private towing clinics focusing on weight, sway control, reversing and hitching
Local police sessions offering education and roadside compliance checks
Despite the availability, very few caravanners take up formal training – often due to cost or complacency.
The Big Question: Should It Be Mandatory?
Let’s face it: towing a 3.5-tonne caravan with no formal training is like giving someone a boat licence without ever driving a boat. The stakes are too high to leave it to chance.
A special towing licence wouldn’t just save lives – it would protect caravanners, families, and everyone else on the road.
What Could Happen Next?
If this movement gains traction, expect to see:
Pilot programs for subsidised towing licences
Potential new towing endorsements on your licence
A wave of safety campaigns targeting caravan owners
Comments
Howcome truck drivers need different license's for different weight class's then. Towing a van isn't the same a pottering down the road to the shops.
July 14, 2025 at 4:49 pmThey need an up dated license to handle a bigger vehicle.
Bruce
July 16, 2025 at 6:49 pmYou’re ok then with care licence only during heavy rigid or B-Double vehicles?
Neville
July 22, 2025 at 1:30 pmSoon we will be needing a license to walk on the street with an ETag around our necks
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David S
December 1, 2025 at 5:18 pmAmen!!
Helen parsons
July 22, 2025 at 2:01 pmNo.
Keith Johnson
July 14, 2025 at 12:48 pmDrop the speed limit to 90ks. When towing. To many people are speeding. The roads aren’t up to it.
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Jeff
July 14, 2025 at 7:29 pmThis is exactly it!! Drive slower and it solves a bunch of problems…
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Paul
July 16, 2025 at 9:54 pmCorrect
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Helen parsons
July 22, 2025 at 2:05 pmI absolutely agree. 90 to 95 kph on good roads is fast enough towing a caravan.if people drive to conditions that would stop a few of the accidents. I also don’t believe these big boxy caravans should be towed by a ute. I don’t care about your weights it’s all down to physics.
Colin
July 14, 2025 at 9:26 pmIn response to Keith’s statement about speed limits. I can’t agree more.
I had my first caravan in the 80’s. The speed limits then was maximum speed limit of 80 kms. The rule of thumb was that the van had to be lighter than the tow vehicle. That wasn’t difficult as the caravan was just a shell with a bed and a fridge.
Now the caravan has become a house on wheels and some Twisted Political decided we need to increase the speed limit to 100kms.
Now 72 and still towing caravans.
But sit on 90-95kms carry a uhf Radio
Shoot the breeze with the trucks and have time to smell the roses.
Do newbies need a license. ??
Answer No
Do we need drivers to stop doing dumb shit on the roadway, and that includes the mini mok driver’s.
Yes.
My opinion is that accidents don’t just happen on their own.
It take two to tango.
Regards all.
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Paul
July 16, 2025 at 9:56 pmGood sensible comment
Helen parsons
July 22, 2025 at 2:07 pmAbsolutely agree we’re fulltime 8 years seen it all our caravan weighs half what our ute can legally tow. So much more comfortable travelling.
Bob Peterson
July 14, 2025 at 12:55 pmDrivers with a Heavy vehicle licence should be exempt from a mandatory CV towing licence. However those with only a car licence that tow a caravan over a certain weight and length would be safer on the road with towing lessons and experience.
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Don Clarke
July 14, 2025 at 3:36 pmWell said Bob , I totaly agree with what you have said. I’m a former interstate truck driver with an MC licence, and have seen to many accidents that wouldn’t have happened if people had the proper training and knowledge that a licence category course would have given them.
Bruce
July 16, 2025 at 6:49 pmAgree
Greg 1
July 14, 2025 at 12:57 pmLicences don’t solve the problem, they are just a revenue raiser.
A mandatory towing course would be highly beneficial though, teaching proper loading, weights and how to deal with situations on the road.
A national speed limit of 100kph for towing any trailer as per WA, also should be introduced.
I sit on 100kph when towing and the number of caravans that pass me going well in excess of 110kph is astonishing.
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David
July 14, 2025 at 3:40 pmI agree limit any towing to 100klm
If I am a trucky how do I go with the wife
Driver under instructions?
Bruce
July 16, 2025 at 6:50 pmYou’re ok then with care licence only during heavy rigid or B-Double vehicles?
Noel Axelson
July 14, 2025 at 12:59 pmI have a New Age Big Red 21 ft and could not be happier with it.It tows realy well and very comfortable. Well done New Age.
Kelvin
July 14, 2025 at 1:02 pmNo way should people towing a caravan have to have a special license its just not on. How about we start at banning electric bikes and E Scooter’s and enforcing the the laws IE speed, helmets,only one person on at any time as well as being a minimum age of 12
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Bruce
July 16, 2025 at 6:50 pmYou’re ok then with care licence only during heavy rigid or B-Double vehicles?
Simon
July 14, 2025 at 1:22 pmI think all trailers and caravans over 1.5t should be towed by someone who has upgraded their skills. It’s easy to put that condition on a license.
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Colin
July 14, 2025 at 9:31 pmSo you are condoning someone with a license to drive with a 1.5 t trailer and be travelling at the correct speed limit of 110 km an hour.
Good luck with that when everything goes to shit just because someone was able to do the maximum speed limit with a special license
Yvonne
July 14, 2025 at 1:48 pmI agree that there should be a license test/endorsement for people towing caravans! Exemptions should only apply to truck drivers and heavy vehicle licensed people. I work in a caravan park and every day see incompetant drivers towing big vans and have no idea how to reverse them or park them. Thats why ‘drive through sites’ are now expected. Just because you have driven a car and probably towed a box trailer to the dump every weekend, doesn’t qualify you to drive down the highway with 3.5 tonne behind you!
Phil cleary
July 14, 2025 at 1:49 pmIf we all had a good look at the conditions of all our roads around Aus I think this would contribute to some of these incidents
And i think we all should drive to the conditions if you are tired or distracted pull over and take time out
Cheers
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Roger Macgowan
July 14, 2025 at 2:11 pmI blame the accidents on the poor condition of the roads.
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David
July 14, 2025 at 3:44 pmI blame the accidents on mobile phones
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Graham
July 14, 2025 at 5:45 pmThen you’ll have no worries passing a test, 90% of people your age starting to tow wouldn’t pass hence the need for a license or training competency test mate..
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Roger Macgowan
July 14, 2025 at 2:13 pmI blame the accidents on the poor condition of the roads, Australia wide.
Richard
July 14, 2025 at 2:17 pmI disagree, it’s not needed.
If you want to educate people then a mandatory FREE course is a good idea. Making people pay though for a mandatory course is just a money grab and has nothing to do with safety.
Kevin Sinkinson
July 14, 2025 at 3:21 pmGot that right spot on
F Merret
July 14, 2025 at 3:30 pmAs I’ve been in heavy haulage for many years with multiple combination vechiles and it is disturbing to see and witness what can happen with what I would consider equipment (trailer-s ) being controlled in a manner that is
Outside safe parameters
Doug
July 14, 2025 at 3:40 pmI tow a caravan and I also have a hc licence .people need to know what and how and what to expect when towing a van up to 4tonne much different to a 6×4 trailer
Rob
July 14, 2025 at 4:13 pmIt comes down to experience, I got my driver’s license at 15 (NZ, before L and P plates) and was towing a trailer not long after that because my Dad was a builder and trailers were a part of life. I have also driven trucks and had the NZ equivalent of an HR license at the time. I am now in my 60’s, with 45 years of driving and towing experience behind me, including towing a 2.5T caravan around Australia for the last 4 years, no farking way am I going to pay to have a “special towing license”, yes, make drivers with only a few years actual experience and first embarking on towing anything over 1T do a training course and have that listed on their existing license, but a special towing license, that’s a firm NO rom me.
Graham
July 14, 2025 at 4:21 pmShould have to have a towing licence to tow any trailer .
Gordon Worley
July 14, 2025 at 4:42 pmNo but should do a mandatory National or State approved towing course and be able to produce evidence to insuring company.
Mark
July 14, 2025 at 4:52 pmFor old timers who’ve towed for years or have had vans regos in their names for years should just prove they can tow. But as part of new purchases of vans a course is part of purchase
Mr brightside
July 14, 2025 at 5:03 pmSo a mandatory towing course , abit like taking a liscence and being tested haha
Keith Sheehan
July 14, 2025 at 5:16 pmAs a heavy vehicle driver when i wanted to upgrade my truck license (hr) to tow a trailer (hc)i needed to upgrade my license and do more training before i could .this should also be the norm for car drivers if they want to tow a caravan they should learn how to do this safely i also tow a caravan regularly
Harold
July 14, 2025 at 5:27 pmYes every one that doesn’t have articulated license need to get one so understand the correct way to tow the time frame of checking your mirrors it’s a requirement at least every 30 seconds as well you must be able to see down both sides of your van I see lots tow vehicles with non at all and some with only one so how do you back into a parking spot
Dave Gilbert
July 14, 2025 at 5:47 pmevery driver should need to do a towing course if they intend to tow a trailer/boat/caravan/horse float etc etc and they should need to obtain a certificate of suitability matching their vehicle with their trailer/s
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Colin
July 14, 2025 at 9:49 pmIn response to Dave’s statement.
Dave l assume has a car license only.
In Western Australia, you can drive some trucks with a standard car (C class) license, specifically those with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of up to 4.5 tonnes.
Now to put that into perspective.
Most tow vehicles have a GVM of 2.5 tonnes.
Now according to the current car licence rules. Dave can hook up a caravan with a GVM of up to 2 tonnes.
This equates to Dave’s car at 2.5 tonnes plus his 2 tonne caravan and be very very legal
So why are we peddling this nonsense about a special licence.
Karen
July 14, 2025 at 6:45 pmWe are currently travelling around Aus with our van and have seen so many people towing who shouldn’t be.
Obviously overweight, speeding, overtaking incorrectly or driving way too slow that they are a danger.
I believe you should not be able to purchase a van without having undergone a towing course. I also believe that vans should be professionally weighed and have a sticker stating car and van are safe for towing.
It’s not just vans either. We saw a P player towing a loaded horse float who overtook 2 vans (which were travelling at 95 k/hr) and continued at 110 after that.
Speed limit in WA is 100 for heavy vehicles and any vehicle towing.
Greg
July 14, 2025 at 7:02 pmA license does prevent stupidity and bad behaviour. These people will continue to drive like they do with or without a caravan towing license. Just another cost for someone to be financially rewarded.
Garry Williams
July 14, 2025 at 7:12 pmI have been towing large trailers, [Boats, Caravans and Box Trailers] for more than 40 years and a piece of paper does not replace expierence. I would support training coarses but having a car licence does not stop crashes.
James
July 14, 2025 at 8:29 pmI don’t like onerous regulations but living in a part of Vic that gets flooded with caravan tourists a number of times each year makes me very aware how ill equipped a lot of folks towing loads of all descriptions are. In my thinking a “light test” should be mandatory for anyone towing any trailer that is braked, IE I don’t care if it is a boat, caravan, car trailer or float. If you cannot reverse it into a spot, cannot answer questions that show you understand load distribution and cannot show you can safely manoeuvre it through relatively tight spaces, you simply shouldn’t be towing. We spent hour digging a very damaged Landcruiser out of a perilous situation last year when it’s trailer loaded with hay dragged it backwards off a steep dirt road near our house. They couldn’t understand what went wrong…. Our roads are plied daily by semis and b doubles. We never hear complaints about their road manners yet we often have cyclists shunted onto the verge by folks towing caravans…. Perhaps the most telling indication is that one of the caravan park proprietors was telling me he has to reverse several vans each week into spaces because their owners can’t do it….. That alone says it all….
Geoff Balle
July 14, 2025 at 10:00 pmWe have more than enough regulation now,, extra licencing will be no more than another revenue raiser and more empowerment for more bureaucracy
Ben
July 14, 2025 at 10:13 pmYes it should be a standard, people dont understand when you connect tou caravan to you are articulated heavy vehicle, average 4wd that tows these things are 3-3.5T when you add the weight of the caravan depending on it your over the technical 4.5gvm for your licence therefore towing a van would require a MR licence at minimum, then there’s the fact that 90% of the caravan owners dont use the tow mirrors required as well so should you require a licence for a caravan YEE you should
Allan Young
July 14, 2025 at 10:56 pmPeople drive a tiny car around the city untill they retire then buy a big car usually a four wheel wheel drive which is harder to drive than the little buzz box. Then they workout the four wheel drive will tow 2 ton, buy a 2 ton caravan and the put a ton of shit in it and wonder why the can’t control it.
Meg cleave
July 14, 2025 at 11:15 pmMost definitely. saves lives
Byron
July 15, 2025 at 12:13 amLicence maybe!!!! but at a minimum better education around the following.
Single Axle v Dual Axel loading
Suspension setups Slipper springs v Roller Rockers v Independant v Rubber block or torsion
Tow ball downforce and correct loading
Electric brake controllers v hydraulic or cable
Load levellers or Torsion setups
How to drive out of a Fish tail with different breaking setups.
Braking distances
Over taking
Vehicle GVM GCM ect and overloading.
A lot of this could be done as an online training course and people with no towing experience should get some professional advice.
the list goes on
ps. did i mention REVERSING.
Tony
July 15, 2025 at 6:51 amI agree there should be a licence upgrade to tow, it not just a Caravan, it should be for boats (can weight as much as a caravan), Box trailers (not loaded correctly, not covered correctly. There should be training for anything towed, also ALL towed vehicle should have electric brakes fitted.
Larry
July 15, 2025 at 7:32 am100 kph for towing should be mandatory
Lance
July 15, 2025 at 8:48 amNot just for caravans but all trailers. Boats and Personal Watercraft are not a major issue to improve education just include the getting your vessel to and from the water in the course already required to obtain a Boat or PWC licence.
It is not just the ability to be able to safely drive a vehicle towing it is the knowledge of set up, weight and appropriate tow vehicle for the towed trailer.
There are reputable retailers out there that ensure that the tow vehicle is suitable for the van being sold. But then there are the just make the sale guys and don’t forget the total lack of control in the private sale department.
Education and information are the important issues here. Just read online blogs and talk to people around the place and the lack of information or misinformation is abundantly clear.
Also, should be like WA max speed of 100km for any vehicle towing.
Patricia
July 15, 2025 at 8:34 pmThe most sensible outcome
Johnny
July 15, 2025 at 8:54 pmI had a hr licence
I have been saying for years van up to 4 ton and over should have a special licence and take a drivers course on reversing i will tell you why.
I had to to reverse a van for a guy in his 70’s he had no idea of backing this van out at all . He had no extendable on his vehicle and was driving blind . I had to open his door a lean out the door to see were the van was going . and a speed limit should be no more than 90kph and 100 kps to over take only. and keep to the left and with trucks to . this way the road will keep moving along nicely . I had my truck licence at 20 im now 80 never had a fine or and accigent in my time . a lot of cars towing trailer can not back them . I have see a lot of silly thing with caravans over time
Patricia
July 15, 2025 at 9:47 pmThe most sensible outcome
Charlie begg
July 17, 2025 at 5:42 pmYes – I support this and caravan’s have done it to themselves by travelling slowly and then speeding up when someone tries to overtake them.
Which means those of us with a job at work speed don’t like them.
Johnny
July 17, 2025 at 10:28 pmyou can not drive a truck . i had to go for my h r licence . but a van no its like letting a kid out of school go on a truck with no licence and drive it . mad
Craig
July 24, 2025 at 8:56 pmshould be made to do mr truck licence and held for a minimum of 12months before travelling
Dennis
July 24, 2025 at 9:09 pmNot as long as trucks keep having serious accidents causing deaths and serious injuries. Aren’t they professionals with a high level of licence and training that has nothing helped stop accidents
Laurie S
July 25, 2025 at 5:19 pmSo caravan crashes are rising, introduce a special licience they say! Well the high rate of young people 17 to 25 have increased 10 fold and far out weigh caravan crashes, better raise the age of licensing to 30 years of age then to reduce the road death rates!
Marilyn
July 25, 2025 at 5:32 pmNo to special licences. Yes to caravan courses for anyone new to towing whether they are young or older. Just having a license for something doesn’t mean you won’t have an accident. Look how many trucks out there have accidents and young adults too. Licence doesn’t stop stupid. Plenty if those out there too. Licence won’t stop those accidents happening.
Adam
July 26, 2025 at 4:11 pmA caravan is the same width as a truck and can sometimes be over 4.5tons for the whole combination. If you drive a truck over 4.5 tons you need a light rigid licence. So some kind of endorsement and adequate training should be put in place and a maximum speed of 90kmh
Roly
July 27, 2025 at 12:34 pmHow about fixing the roads. Most trailers are now 2.5mtrs wide. Increase road width and quality with more overtaking lanes allowing for safer overtaking and control on roads. There are more trucks moving goods so they need the room also. The government is not keeping up with the growing population and traffic on the roads.
John S
July 14, 2025 at 12:41 pmNo this is ridiculous! Did car licensed stop car crashes???
Red hart
July 14, 2025 at 2:31 pmSo it ok to retire Friday… buy your new rig the week after then start their dream holiday…. when are people going to wake up.. first road train is going to spook you beyond belief.. ambitions and capabilities confused..OF COURSE YOU SHOULD BE LICENCED TO TO A CARAVAN… ask a truckie …….
Gav
July 15, 2025 at 8:46 amI have been a truckie for 20 years MC licenced . The wind buffing from trucks to vans do scare the not so experienced and have seen plenty of carnage on rural roads of caravans small and large . They do get spooked and nervous when road trains approaching as I have seen it .Have travelled Australia in 38 ft motorhome and car trailer for 16 years . While I was in Geraldton WA RTA were out on force and 90 plus percent are over weight and parked up . Over weight van and 4×4 voids insurances due to neglance and creates hazards to other roads users and also them selves .
A case in NSW when a caravan was so over weight and was involved in an accident and the innocent party was killed . The rver was charged and the sentencing was jail time . Licencing does not need to tough but just need to.learn some of the basics . 7 plus tonne is allot if weight to manage for someone who has not any experience especially on mountainous terrains . Burning brakes are so common and smelling the brake linings is a recipe for disaster especially all or most are automatics .
Just need every road user to be save and reduce the risks to be save . I am making these comments for what I have seen with my own eyes .
Helen Johnston
July 15, 2025 at 11:02 pmRather than a licence I think their should be restrictions on size limit what you can tow to your experiences
Retire on Friday brought a new beaut csravan with all the bells and whistles and over 18ft never towed anything before even a box trailer head off around Oz
Dennis Curran
July 17, 2025 at 4:54 pmI’ve been towing a caravan for over 20 years and never had a problem. There are more and more caravans hitting our roads these days and of course there will be more accidents because of it. I don’t believe that issuing a separate licence for caravanners will reduce the number of accidents. If you are a caravanner yourself, you will have experienced the extreme degradation of our roads, particularly if rural and regional areas and the government need to fix our roads where the majority of accidents occur. If you want to licence caravans, then you should licence boat and trailor owners as well. There seems to be a knee jerk reaction to the odd caravan accident and it’s not warranted. Do truck lincences stop truck accidents?
Jeff
January 14, 2026 at 3:18 pmAn excellent idea licencing boat and trailer owners as well. I fully support your suggestion. You may never have had a problem, but many others have. The condition of the roads may be a contributing factor, but the person towing the van is the bigger problem.