Calls for a ‘caravan licence’ to be introduced in Australia
Experts are increasingly calling for novice caravan users to take a nationally recognized towing course before setting off.
According to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, there are approximately 800,000 caravans, motorhomes and campervans registered in Australia.
That number is set to rise with 50,000 new registrations in 2022 alone and 15.5 million caravan trips across the country in the past 12 months.
Many novice caravan owners set out without ever having towed a small trailer let alone a mobile home.
While novice drivers face strict driving restrictions for their first few years behind the wheel, the same rules don’t apply to drivers who have no experience in towing a vehicle.
A series of rollovers has led motorists towing a caravan to be called upon again to undergo training before taking to the road. Two people were injured in this incident in 2022
Emily McLean of the National Transport Research Organization described the current situation as far from ideal, where Australia’s six states and territories all have different rules.
“We actually tell a driver with a P license plate not to tow a trailer, but as soon as someone gets off their P license plate they can tow anything from a 6 x 4 meter trailer to an eight meter trailer. long caravan,” Mrs. McLean told the ABC.
“We’re not providing people with the support and training they need to ensure they’re safe on the road and keep others safe on the road.”
Another expert, Ken Walker, acknowledged that rolling out a mandatory course across the country could be unrealistic.
“It’s a massive effort, and we’re talking about millions of people pulling these big trailers. The logistics of having them all do a mandatory towing license or towing course is crazy,” he added.
Ms. McLean advocates a formal accreditation system for all training, whether mandatory or optional.
“At least that would ensure that people are learning the right skills and not bad habits,” she said.
Other Aussies go so far as to require a special ‘caravan licence’ on Australian roads.
“There should be a permit for every registered/braked trailer,” someone said.
Another added: “Definitely need a workout. And licensed with size and weight restrictions. Also a limit on how long you can drive without a rest. Truckers do. Trailers and boats are part of it.’
A third said: ‘Never understand how total beginners can rent a motorhome without training or an extra driver’s license.’
Experts have renewed the call for a nationally recognized towing course after a spate of caravans toppling over in recent years. Pictured is an earlier incident in Western Australia
In 2021, this motorist towing a caravan lost control and ended up on the other side of the Bruce Highway on Queensland’s Fraser Coast, facing a barrage of trucker abuse
While most states and territories have mandated a 62 mph speed limit for caravan towing vehicles, there is no set speed limit
Queensland recently became the first state to introduce clearer guidelines for increasing payload and towing capacity for all-wheel drive.
Police dashcam captured this motorist towing a caravan at the WA/SA border in 2021
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia believes that one in 13 households now owns a registered caravan.
Now that the demand for caravans is increasing, the police warn of the dangers.
“People think they can buy a trailer, hook it up to their car, and hit the road,” said Sergeant Nathan Ivey of Townsville Highway Patrol.
He explained that most of the caravan accidents he had experienced involved uneven or overweight loads.
“I urge travelers to check their weight once they’ve packed all their gear and before they hit the road,” he said.
“You lose control of the car because the caravan starts driving it for you.
“If too much weight is on the hitch ball, your vehicle will lift and affect handling.
‘We therefore see a lot of unsafe driving behaviour.’