Towing a trailer behind a car, van or small truck requires more than attaching a hitch and driving away. In Ontario, you need to understand the licence and registration rules, confirm that your vehicle can handle the trailer and load, and make sure the trailer meets essential equipment and safety requirements.
For new drivers, towing can create challenges that are different from everyday driving. Before you tow, take time to prepare and practise in a safe area. Building good habits can help you stay in control and make safer decisions on Ontario roads.
Check whether your vehicle can tow safely
Before attempting to tow a trailer, consider the size, power and condition of your vehicle. Confirm that it is capable of towing both the trailer and the load you intend to carry. Your trailer and hitch must also meet the requirements described below and any applicable Ontario rules.
Towing a recreational vehicle presents unique risks. Almost half of reported collisions that occur while towing a recreational vehicle are single-vehicle collisions. Another 20 per cent involve rear-end collisions. In collisions where the driver was determined to be at fault, about 30 per cent of drivers had “lost control” of their vehicle.
Ontario licence and permit requirements
You must have a valid driver's licence—Class G1, G2 or G, or a higher class—to tow a trailer with a gross vehicle weight of up to 4,600 kilograms.
If your trailer and load exceed the size or weight limits specified in the Highway Traffic Act, you may need a higher class of licence or an oversize vehicle permit. For questions about the Oversize/Overweight Program, contact the Ministry of Transportation’s permit office:
- Telephone: 416-246-7166
- Toll-free: 1-800-387-7736
- Online: the Ministry of Transportation’s Oversize/Overweight Permit Office website
It is against the law to tow more than one trailer behind a non-commercial vehicle.
Register your trailer before using it on public roads
A trailer is considered a separate vehicle. Before towing it on any public road, you must register it and pay a one-time registration fee at a ServiceOntario centre.
When you register your trailer, you will receive a licence plate and vehicle permit. Attach the licence plate to the back of the trailer where it is clearly visible. Always carry the vehicle permit, or a copy of it, so you can show it to a police officer when asked.
Make sure the trailer is in safe operating condition
Your trailer must be safe to operate. If it is not, a police officer may remove it from the road until it has been made safe.
Trailer brakes
If the trailer’s gross trailer weight, including the vehicle and load, is 1,360 kilograms or more, it must have brakes strong enough to stop and hold the trailer.
Required lights and reflectors
Your trailer must have:
- A white licence plate light
- A red tail light
- Two red reflectors at the rear, positioned as far apart as possible
If the trailer is wider than 2.05 metres, it must also have:
- Two yellow clearance lights at the front—one on each side and as far apart as possible—to show approaching drivers the width of the trailer
- Two red clearance lights or reflectors at the rear—one on each side and as far apart as possible—to show drivers behind you the width of the trailer
Mudguards, fenders and flaps
Your trailer must have mudguards, fenders and flaps, or be designed so that it does not spray or splash traffic travelling behind you.
Mirrors and securing the load
If the load blocks your rearward vision, you must have additional mirrors that provide a clear view of the road behind you. Load the trailer carefully and secure everything so that nothing comes loose or falls off while you are moving.
Build confidence before towing
Towing changes how your vehicle accelerates, brakes, turns and moves through traffic. If you are a new driver in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Scarborough or Newmarket, professional driving education can help you develop safer decision-making and greater confidence before taking on more complex driving situations.
Review the requirements, inspect your vehicle and trailer, and make safety your first priority. For guidance as you prepare to become a safer, more confident driver, contact WDS Driving School or book your next lesson.
A useful pre-tow habit is to walk around the trailer before every trip: check the hitch and load, confirm the lights and plate are visible, and make sure your mirrors still give you a clear rearward view.