When travelling abroad, it is important to be aware that there are rules regarding the registration of trailers that must be followed.
If you are driving to or through most countries in Europe, it will be necessary to register all trailers that weigh over 750kg.
The exception to this rule is Ireland, Cyprus, Malta and Spain, but all other European countries will require the rule to be followed.
This means that these trailers making international journeys will need to display their own registration plate and this needs to be separate from the vehicle towing them.
Alongside this, it is important to have a trailer registration certificate that can be shown to a foreign authority on request.
Register your trailer
You must register your trailer to travel in these countries:
- Albania
- Andorra
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Kazakhstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Monaco
- Montenegro
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- San Marino
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Ukraine
The costs for registering the trailer are as follows:
- £26 to register a trailer for the first time
- £21 to issue a new registration certificate for a new registered keeper
- £10 for a replacement UK trailer registration certificate
Countries where you don’t need to register your trailer
You do not need to register trailers that are only used:
- in the UK
- for journeys between the UK and Ireland
- Cyprus
- Malta
- Spain
However, you must register trailers to tow them through any country where the rules apply to reach Cyprus, Malta or Spain.
If you have an abnormal load trailer
You need a keeper’s certificate for an abnormal load trailer to take it abroad.
Carry the keeper’s certificate in your vehicle when you go abroad.
Some countries measure abnormal loads differently from the UK.
Check with each country you’re travelling through to find out if the load you’re transporting counts as abnormal there.
Our specialist team can support you with compliance awareness so that you do not get caught out by changes. Contact Jared Dunbar today for help.