Mount Caravans Ltd, Cornwall

Advantages: Would ensure roadworthiness of caravans (and trailers)
Disadvantages: More bureaucracy, probably cost more than it raised.

...In general most caravanners are a responsible group of people who maintain their caravans in good order. They would not want to jeopardise their safety (and that of others) by towing an unroadworthy caravan, not to mention the possibilty of ruining their holiday. Most caravanners pose no hazard to other road users, well okay they sometimes hold us a bit but so do a lot of other road users. Most of us who passed our driving tests before 1997 can tow anything we like without taking an extra test. New drivers however have to take a test if they want to tow a large combination such as a 4WD with a large twin axle caravan or a horse box. Further details of this and other legal issues can be found on the NTTA website which I have always found useful. They also do towing courses for new towers and those that have to take the trailer... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Keeps poorly maintained vehicles off the road
Disadvantages: Unfair to probably 99% of all caravanners

...Not being a caravan owner, but a mechanic (On cars not caravans) I feel that this idea of tax & mot is taking things too far! There is very little to go wrong on a caravan, the main items being the hitch, lights, & brakes. If you are going to mot caravans, you'd have to inc ANY braked trailer on the road (Goods trailers, horse boxes, boat trailers etc). As for tax, caravans are usually on the roads for very limited periods and cause no more road wear as they are nowhere near as heavy as most cars. From observation of caravans on the road, most modern caravans travel well and as long as it is loaded correctly, they don't "snake". From a recent trade magazine, I would suggest a law to fine anyone who loads a caravan incorrectly, causing it to "snake", thereby making it another form of traffic offence. Taking this one step... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Tax would raise revenue
Disadvantages:

...It strikes me that a large number of people who tow caravans do so without any relevant skills or (probably) experience which I regard (as a non-caravan owner) as being essential in order to transport such a large object around safely and without inconveniencing other road users. I am unclear as to why caravans do not have to undergo a test similar to an MOT or why they do not pay additional taxes - they are after all using twice the amount of road as other non-towing road users. Caravans should be inspected on a regular basis and taxed.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful