Requirements for towing devices

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1005/2010 of 8 November 2010 concerning type-approval requirements for motor vehicle towing devices and implementing Regulation (EC) No 661/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor Text with EEA relevance · European Union

All motor vehicles must have a towing device fitted at the front. Vehicles in category M_(1), as defined in Directive 2007/46/EC Part A of Annex II, except for those vehicles not suitable for towing any load, must also be fitted with a towing device at the rear. A rear towing device may be substituted by a mechanical coupling device, as defined in UN-ECE Regulation No 55 OJ L 373, 27.12.2006, p. 50. , provided that the requirements of paragraph 1.2.1. are met. Each towing device fitted to the vehicle must be able to withstand a tractive and compressive static force equivalent to at least half the technically permissible maximum laden mass of the vehicle. 2.1. Both tractive and compressive test loads are applied on each separate towing device fitted to the vehicle. 2.2. The test loads shall be applied in horizontal longitudinal direction, in relation to the vehicle.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-03 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.