Road Traffic Law

Vehicle-caravan combinations have always had excellent road safety. Since 22 October 1998, modern vehicle-caravan combinations are able to drive at 100 km/h on federal motorways and motorways with separate lanes under certain conditions. For caravans, these are hydraulic wheel shock absorbers and a brake, as well as tyres that are not allowed to be older than six years and have to belong to at least speed category L. The caravans are equipped with a brake system and tyres that are not older than six years. The towing vehicle has to weigh a maximum of 3.5 t and must be equipped with an ABS system. The permissible total mass of the caravan cannot exceed 80 percent of the empty mass of the towing vehicle.

On 22 October 2005, the 3rd Regulation amending the 9th Exemption Regulation to the Road Traffic Act (StVO) entered into force. With the increase of the mass factor from 0.8 to 1.0, the number of participants for the speed limit 100 regulation was increased from 20 to 80 percent of the vehicle-caravan combinations currently on the market. This regulation was initially limited until 31 December 2010 and has now been adopted permanently (for an unlimited period) as the 9th exemption regulation to the Road Traffic Act (StVO).

The responsibility as to whether the requirements of the 9th exemption regulation are met lies first with the caravan manufacturer for new vehicles and then with the vehicle driver, as the towing vehicle and trailer can be freely exchanged. The responsibility as to whether the combination meets the requirements lies with the vehicle driver.

Caravans that have already been registered can be retrofitted accordingly. In this case, however, fulfilment of the requirements must first be confirmed by an officially recognised expert.

Speed limit 100 for motor caravans from 3.5 to 7.5 t

Motor caravans up to a total mass of 3.5 t are not subject to a speed limit like passenger vehicles. However, in particular due to their use for leisure and holiday purposes, it can be assumed that motor caravans are moved at moderate speed. Since March 2005, motor caravans weighing between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes have also been able to drive at 100 km/h. The speed of the vehicle is expected to be between 2.5 and 7.5 tonnes. As of 1 January 2010, the initially limited exemption regulation was permanently incorporated into the StVO due to the excellent road safety of motor caravans.

For motor caravans over 7.5 t a maximum speed of 80 km/h applies.