Can a motorcycle tow a carrello appendice?

Italian Law 177/2024 extended the carrello appendice rules to motorcycles in the cases provided by law, but it does not automatically authorise every motorcycle to tow any trailer. Check the vehicle class, documents, pairing and specific approval before riding.

The law change does not remove technical limits

From 14 December 2024, Law 177/2024 amended the Highway Code, including provisions on carrelli appendice, and extended their use to motorcycles under the conditions set by law. The amendment must be read together with technical and implementation requirements. A motorcycle having a tow coupling, or a small trailer being available, is not by itself proof that the combination is lawful.

Check whether the motorcycle falls within the permitted class and has been approved or updated for towing the auxiliary trailer. Read its registration documents, any required annotations and the trailer’s identifying data. Verify mass, coupling, equipment and technical limits too. A carrello appendice is linked to the towing vehicle under its own rules and is not the same as an independently registered trailer. A motorcycle licence authorises riding that motorcycle; it does not establish that the motorcycle is approved to tow.

Example: a powerful motorcycle has a coupling fitted by a workshop, but the papers do not show towing approval or the relevant technical data. Engine size and the presence of a hitch do not settle the issue. Ask the manufacturer and motor vehicle authority whether that exact version may tow, and what document procedure is required.

Confirm the approved configuration first

Keep evidence of the vehicle approval and required pairing, and check that the trailer identifiers match the recorded information. If the law depends on technical provisions or a later implementation step, confirm the status with MIT or the motor vehicle office before riding; do not assume the wording of a law guarantees that every administrative procedure is already available.

Also check that cargo and dimensions stay within the trailer limits, the connection does not compromise stability or lights, and the route has no applicable restrictions. Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you review road rules with category B quizzes and mistake review.

Quiz Patente Ufficiale helps you review licence categories and common traffic rules with quizzes and mistake review.