New and Used 3.5t Horseboxes for Sale in the UK

A 3.5 tonne horsebox and a 3.5 ton horsebox both refer to the same weight class vehicle, but the wording depends on country:

• Tonne (metric tonne) - used in the UK and Europe
• 1 tonne = 1,000 kg
• The correct term for horseboxes in the UK is usually 3.5 tonne
• Ton (imperial ton) - used mainly in the USA
• 1 ton = 907 kg
• Not generally used in UK vehicle classifications

Because horseboxes in the UK are regulated using metric measurements, a 3.5 tonne horsebox is the accurate term for listings, insurance, road tax, driving licence rules, and DVLA documentation.

Yes - if you passed your car driving test in the UK on or after 1 January 1997, you can legally drive a 3.5 tonne horsebox on a standard Category B licence. Anything over 3.5 tonnes generally requires a Category C1 or HGV licence. Always check the vehicle's Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) on the logbook or VIN plate to ensure it doesn't exceed 3.5 tonnes once loaded.

For a deep dive into driving licence requirements, see our Horsebox Driving Licence Requirements in the UK blog post.