Challenge
In normal driving the rule is: more distance is safer. Many students automatically apply that rule of thumb to towing and assume a longer cable is actually better. The book flips that around: when towing, a shorter, taut cable is the safe choice — and there are two more rules that are just as easily overlooked.
Read this section on its own page: Challenge: Towing a broken-down car
The model
You tow only one vehicle, with a sound tow cable on the designated attachment points, a maximum of 5 metres between the two cars, and the cable always taut (Book p.169) — the rear driver therefore brakes just a little more than the front driver. The towed vehicle's power steering does not work (engine off): preferably let the most experienced driver steer that vehicle. Both drivers need a valid licence, and you leave the expressway or motorway as soon as possible.
Read this section on its own page: The model: Towing a broken-down car
Core
The towing rules from Book p.169 come down to three points. First the cable: a sound tow cable, fastened to the attachment points intended for it, with a maximum of 5 metres between the vehicles, and always kept taut — precisely because the cable must stay taut, the rear driver brakes just a little more than the front driver, otherwise they would run into the cable. Second, the driver of the towed vehicle: because the engine is off, the power steering does not work and steering feels unexpectedly heavy. So preferably let the most experienced driver steer that vehicle; both drivers need a valid licence regardless. Third, the route: you tow only one vehicle at a time, and you leave the expressway or motorway as soon as possible. The book states no exact maximum speed here and no requirement to switch on both vehicles' hazard lights — those two points remain untaught in this lesson until they have been checked separately.
Read this section on its own page: Core: Towing a broken-down car
Why it matters
A slack cable can sag onto the road surface or suddenly snap taut when accelerating — a startled driver without power steering in the towed vehicle then has even less margin to correct.
Read this section on its own page: Why it matters: Towing a broken-down car
Active recall
On the N50 near Kampen you tow a stranded car to the garage. According to the book, what applies to the tow cable?
Read this section on its own page: Active recall: Towing a broken-down car
Teach back
Explain: what is the maximum allowed length of the tow cable, who preferably steers the towed vehicle and why, and how many vehicles may you tow at once?
Read this section on its own page: Teach back: Towing a broken-down car
Memory hook
Max. 5 m, always taut. Most experienced driver steers the towed vehicle (no power steering). Only one vehicle at a time.
Read this section on its own page: Memory hook: Towing a broken-down car
Source: RVV 1990 art. 6 · RVV 1990 art. 30 · checked 2026-10-22
Frequently asked questions
‘In a long line of stranded cars, if it is convenient, you may tow several vehicles one behind the other’ – is that true?
No. 'you may only tow one vehicle'. No exception for busy traffic or convenience
‘The more distance between the towing car and the towed vehicle, the safer — so a cable longer than 5 metres is actually better’ – is that true?
No. 'the distance between the two vehicles may be a maximum of 5 metres' and 'always keep the tow cable taut'. When towing, a shorter, taut cable is the safe choice, not a longer one
‘It does not matter which of the two drivers steers the towed vehicle — steering is steering’ – is that true?
No. 'the power steering of the towed vehicle does not work because the engine is off. Therefore let the most experienced driver steer the towed vehicle.' That is an explicit preference, not a free choice
‘A tow cable that sags now and then is simply part of towing; as long as it does not break, you keep driving’ – is that true?
No. Always keep the tow cable taut: the driver of the towed vehicle brakes a little more than the one in front