MINISTERIAL DECISION 2805/2021 AS IN FORCE · TRAILER TOWING
Tow Bar: The Rules and Whether a Licence Is Needed
The question we hear most: “what licence does a tow bar need?” Under Ministerial Decision 2805/2021, as in force, a tow bar does not get a separate licence. Two things matter: what the car’s registration certificate says and what tow bar is fitted.
Does a tow bar need its own licence?
Not a separate one. Ministerial Decision 2805/2021 (Gazette B 99/2021, as amended by MD 292015/2021, Gazette B 4966/2021) governs trailer towing and does not provide for a separate licence or note for the car’s tow bar. The same decision repealed the old MD 16823/1978 on special towing notes.
Must it be declared to the Transport Directorate?
As we read MD 2805/2021, as in force, no. The decision provides for no declaration of the tow bar to the regional Transport Directorate and no entry for it on the registration certificate. Article 10 of the same decision also repealed the older towing rules (para. 5 of ST-1831/1978 and MD 16823/1978). The Directorate only comes in if the car’s certificate shows no towable mass (fields O.1, O.2); see below for what happens then.
What must hold
- The registration certificate must show a towable mass. These are fields O.1 (braked trailer) and O.2 (unbraked). The trailer may not exceed them.
- A removable or folding tow bar on cars (M1) and light commercial vehicles (N1). When no trailer is towed, it is removed or folded. Fixed ones had to be replaced by 30/9/2023.
- Sufficient strength and a secure coupling, with a mechanism that prevents accidental uncoupling.
- Bike rack or cargo carrier on the tow bar: removed after use, and the tow bar removed or folded.
- The trailer needs its own registration and plates, and the combination must be permitted for its use.
What if the certificate shows no O.1 and O.2?
For a used vehicle, the towable mass is taken from the previous registration certificate or from a statement by the manufacturer or its official representative in Greece. If it cannot be found that way, the decision provides for a calculation. As we read it, without a towable mass on the certificate the car may not tow a trailer.
The trailer has no registration yet?
The trailer’s registration and plates come first. See the O1 and O2 Trailer Licence page.
Check fields O.1 and O.2 on the car’s registration certificate first. If they are empty or too low for the trailer you want, send us the certificate before you buy.
- 01You send us the car’s registration certificate and the trailer details.
- 02We check towable mass, category and use.
- 03We tell you whether the combination is permitted and what is missing.
- 04Where needed, we take on the engineer’s declaration or study.
Send us a photo of the registration certificate and the trailer details.
Request a quoteDoes a tow bar need its own licence?
Not a separate one. Under MD 2805/2021 what matters is the towable mass on the car’s registration certificate (fields O.1, O.2) and the type of tow bar, which on cars must be removable or folding.
Must a tow bar be declared to the Transport Directorate?
As we read MD 2805/2021, as in force, no. There is no declaration of the tow bar to the regional Transport Directorate and no entry for it on the registration certificate. The Directorate only comes in if the car’s certificate shows no towable mass (O.1, O.2).
Is a fixed tow bar allowed?
Not on cars (M1) and light commercial vehicles (N1). The deadline to replace it with a removable or folding one expired on 30/9/2023.
Where do I see how much my car can tow?
In fields O.1 (braked trailer) and O.2 (unbraked) of the registration certificate.
Is an engineer needed?
When the certificate shows no towable mass and there is no manufacturer statement, on a converted or special purpose vehicle, with a custom-built tow bar, or when there is doubt over the combination, the engineer does the calculation and signs. If you are unsure about your own case, send us a photo of the registration certificate.
Do I have to remove the bike rack?
Yes. After use the rack is removed and the tow bar removed or folded.
My trailer has no registration certificate.
The trailer’s registration and plates come first; without them the combination may not be used on the road. We handle that too.
Do you work outside Athens?
Yes. We are based in Athens and Thessaloniki and serve all of Greece and the EU.
Let’s talk
We’re here for any question or need. Get in touch and we will look at your case personally.
Moudiotis & Associates Technical Office
Mechanical Engineer AUTH, 3× MSc | Based in Athens - Thessaloniki | Serving all of Greece and the EU