Requirements when travelling with a trailer
Main dimensions
The maximum length of a trailer may be 12.0 m, maximum height 4.0 m and width 2.55 m. Total maximum length of a car + trailer may be 18.35 m.
Maximum weight
The maximum mass is the maximum allowed total mass by manufacturer of a fully loaded vehicle, consisting of the mass of the vehicle and the load. Trailers are divided in the following categories according to their maximum weight:
- maximum weight up to 750 kg - category O1 (light-weight trailer, braking system not obligatory)
- maximum weight between 750 kgs-3,500 kg - category O2 (inertia brakes)
- maximum weight between 3,500 kgs-10,000 kg - category O3 (continuously functioning brakes)
Permissible maximum mass
Mass will be determined for a trailer upon national registration according to a wish of a person registering the trailer, this may not exceed the maximum weight determined by the manufacturer of the trailer. Category O1 or O2 centre-axle trailers may be coupled to vehicles in the following conditions:
The permissible maximum mass of an unbraked category O1 trailer may not exceed the maximum mass permitted by the manufacturer of a towing car or 50% of unladen weight of a towing car. The smaller value shall be decisive.
The permissible maximum mass of a braked category O1 and O2 trailer may not exceed the maximum mass permitted by the manufacturer of a towing car or the unladen weight of a towing car. The smaller value shall be decisive.
The right to drive
B-category driver's licence - a B-category vehicle with a light-weight trailer or a non light-weigh trailer, if the permissible maximum mass does not exceed the unladen mass of the car and the permitted maximum mass of the road train does not exceed 3,500 kg.
C-category driver's licence - a vehicle intended for carriage of goods with a light-weight trailer (i.e. a trailer with a total weight up to 750 kg), if the permissible maximum mass of the car or the road train is over 3,500 kg.
D-category driver's licence - a vehicle intended for passenger transport (the driver's seat and more than 8 passenger seats) with a light-weight trailer.
E-category driver's licence (including BE, CE, DE) - a vehicle with a trailer the permissible maximum weight of which exceeds the weight permitted for categories B, C or D.
Brakes
Brakes are not obligatory for category O1 trailers (maximum weight up to 750 kg). Category O2 trailers must be with brakes (local, mainly inertia brakes). Category O3 trailers must have continuously functioning brakes (connected with hoses to the braking system of a towing car). Brakes must apply to all wheels of a trailer. In case the road train breaks up, the safety cable of the braking device must secure the automatic application of the braking system.
Wheels
The dimensions of the tires and rims of the trailer must correspond to the dimensions determined by the manufacturer; the load bearing capacity must correspond to the permissible maximum mass of the trailer. The dimensions, construction and properties of all the wheels must be identical. The dread depth must be at least 1.6 mm. According to the requirements applied for towing cars, winter tires must be used on category O2 trailers (with maximum weight >750-3,500 kg) (winter tires are obligatory from December 1 - March 1).
Roadworthiness test
New light-weight trailers shall undergo a roadworthiness test two years after the registration (i.e. on the third year). Light-weight trailers that are less than 10 years old shall undergo a roadworthiness test once in every two years. Light-weight trailers more than 10 years old and category O2 trailers shall undergo a roadworthiness test every year.