My sons old deisel escort van has blown the head gasket and we need to get it to a garage to get fixed. It's about 7 miles on a decent A roas with not to much traffic to worry about.

However I have been told that it is now illegal to tow with a rope and risks penalty points - is this correct?

I think even a fixed bar is now frowned upon. I believe a rope is now illegal but if caught I suppose you could say the van had broken down on that stretch and it was a last resort to get it to the garage?

there's no specific offence of 'towing a vehicle other than with a tow bar'. However, there's now far greater awareness than there used to be that using a tow rope can be unsafe. The (recently revised) Highway Code restricts itself to this statement:

"In the event of a breakdown, be aware that towing a vehicle on a tow rope is potentially dangerous. You should consider professional recovery." poin:t 98 on this link

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069855

If a police officer sees you towing another vehicle with a tow rope he has to ask himself whether a court would be likely to rule that the procedure was unsafe. If so, you'll probably end up with a fine and penalty points for contravening the relevant section of the Road Traffic Acts which deals with failure to have proper control of a vehicle.

Edited 12 February, 201016 yr by richwarwicker

thanks

My sons old deisel escort van has blown the head gasket and we need to get it to a garage to get fixed. It's about 7 miles on a decent A roas with not to much traffic to worry about.

However I have been told that it is now illegal to tow with a rope and risks penalty points - is this correct?

It is NOT illegal to tow a car with a rope, but :

The requirements regarding the use of a towrope to tow a car are contained in Regulation 86 of the road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended) - the towed vehicle (car) must be taxed and insured.

The maximum distance between the two vehicles must not exceed 4.5m. If the distance between the two vehicles exceeds 1.5m the tow rope or tow chain must be made clearly visible to other road users.

Radiotwo

When did this rule/advice come in about tow ropes? It's the first time I've been told about it.

I had to use one a few weeks ago when I got stuck in the mud, however I suppose I wasn't broken down and was towed only for 2-3 car lengths back onto the tarmac. Should I now go out and buy a metal tow bar instead of the rope? It's just a rope is far easier to carry in the boot that a long metal bar.

As a user of the highways, the onus is on you to keep yourself abreast of any changes that may affect you in the Highway Code...

It is NOT illegal to tow a car with a rope, but :

The requirements regarding the use of a towrope to tow a car are contained in Regulation 86 of the road Vehicle (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (as amended) - the towed vehicle (car) must be taxed and insured.

The maximum distance between the two vehicles must not exceed 4.5m. If the distance between the two vehicles exceeds 1.5m the tow rope or tow chain must be made clearly visible to other road users.

Radiotwo

deed is now done with no dramas and stayed withinh the above advice.

Edited 14 February, 201016 yr by slider

Just be sure tie it securely!!!

I have seen one small car tow another but either the rope snapped or the bumper did!!!!