Horsebox Weights and Driving Licences

Horsebox Weights

When a horsebox is described as 3.5 tonne, 4.5tonne, 7.5 tonne etc., that figure is its MAM/GVW – not its empty, unladen weight.​

Your actual running weight must never exceed the plated MAM/GVW. The plated figure is what decides things like driving licence category and whether HGV rules apply.

Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM)

MAM is the legal maximum weight of a horsebox when loaded, including the vehicle, driver, passengers, fuel, horses, tack and any other cargo.​

It is set by the manufacturer and/or DVSA and appears on the VIN or weight plate, and it is what driving licence category and many legal limits are based on.​

Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)

GVW is the same concept: the maximum permitted weight of the vehicle plus its load, as shown on the VIN plate.​

Horsebox Uprating Process

Many 3.5t horseboxes can be uprated on paper to 3.9t with little or no physical modification (“up‑plating”) if the chassis and axles are already capable.​

Going to 4.5t often needs extra work such as uprated or helper rear springs, suspension assistors and ensuring tyres/brakes are rated for the new GVW

ABS is mandatory for any vehicle over 3.5t if registered after May 2002

Also, a speed limiter (set to 56mph) is required on all horseboxes over 3.5 tonne MAM/GVW

At Chaigley we use a specialist horsebox uprating company called SvTech in Leyland, Lancashire.

https://www.svtech.co.uk/

Best Horsebox Advice

At Chaigley Horseboxes we will help you with the best advice when considering what weight horsebox is going to suit your individual needs.

Driving Licence Requirements

These are the types of driving licences required for the most popular horseboxes.

 3.5 tonne horsebox

For a 3.5 tonne horsebox you need a standard Category B car licence, as long as the horsebox’s Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) does not exceed 3,500 kg.​

4.5 tonne horsebox

For a 4.5 tonne horsebox you need a Category C1 licence, because it falls in the 3,500 kg to 7,500 kg MAM band.​

If you only hold category B, you must pass an additional C1 test before driving a 4.5t horsebox.

However, pre1997 category B licence holders usually already have C1 entitlement on their licence.​

7.5 tonne horsebox

For a 7.5 tonne horsebox you need a Category C1 licence, because it falls in the 3,500 kg to 7,500 kg MAM band.​

If you passed your Category B car test before 1 January 1997, your licence normally already includes C1 entitlement up to 7.5 tonnes, so you can drive a 7.5t horsebox privately without taking another test.

But always check your driving licence to confirm C1 is listed.

Over 7.5 tonne horsebox

For a horsebox exceeding 7,500 kg MAM you need to have a Category C driving licence.

To get this entitlement requires a medical examination and driving tests (theory and practical).

All of the above information was collated from various credible sources.

Please check with DVLA website for the latest updates