Texas Trailer Laws You Need to Know: Registration, Lighting, and Weight Limits

Pulling a trailer in Texas without knowing the rules can get you an expensive ticket — or worse,
an impounded trailer. Here’s a quick guide to the Texas trailer laws that matter most, courtesy
of Trailer Place in Wharton, TX.

Registration and Title Requirements

• All trailers used on public roads must be registered with TxDMV (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles) and display a valid license plate.
• Trailers over 4,000 lbs gross weight must be titled. Trailers under 4,000 lbs need registration but not a title.
• Registration renewal is annual — same as your truck. You’ll receive a renewal notice from TxDMV.
• VIN inspection required for out-of-state trailers being registered in Texas for the first time.

When you buy a trailer from Trailer Place, we handle all title and registration paperwork for you.

Lighting Requirements

Texas follows Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 108 for trailer lighting. Required lights:

• Tail lights — Red, visible from 1,000 feet, on both sides
• Brake lights — Must illuminate when brakes are applied
• Turn signals — Amber or red, on both sides
• License plate light — White light illuminating the rear plate
• Side marker lights — Amber on front, red on rear (required for trailers over 80″ wide)
• Clearance lights — Required for trailers over 80″ wide — amber on front, red on rear, at the widest points
• Reflectors — Red rear reflectors on both sides; amber side reflectors (trailers over 30′ need intermediate reflectors)

Pro tip: LED lights are legal and recommended — they’re brighter, last longer, and use less power
than incandescent bulbs. All new trailers at Trailer Place come with full LED lighting packages.

Brakes

• Trailers over 4,500 lbs GVWR must have brakes on all wheels
• Breakaway system required for trailers with electric brakes — if the trailer separates from the truck, brakes apply automatically
• Electric brake controller required in the tow vehicle

Weight Limits

• Single axle: 20,000 lbs max per axle
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs max per tandem group
• Gross vehicle weight: Cannot exceed the trailer’s GVWR rating regardless of axle limits
• Bridge formula: For longer trailers, total weight is also limited by the bridge weight formula based on axle spacing

Width, Height, and Length Limits

• Width: 8’6″ (102″) maximum without an oversize permit
• Height: 14′ maximum from ground to top of load
• Length: No specific limit for a single trailer, but combined truck + trailer length cannot exceed 65′ on most roads
• Overhang: Load may not extend more than 3′ beyond the front or 4′ beyond the rear without a flag/light

Safety Chains

Texas requires safety chains on all towed vehicles. Chains must be crossed under the tongue in an
X-pattern and be strong enough to hold the trailer if the hitch fails. Fine for non-compliance: up to $200.

Slow-Moving Vehicle (SMV) Triangle

If you’re operating a trailer on public roads at speeds under 25 mph (common with farm equipment),
you must display an orange SMV triangle on the rear of the trailer.

Questions About Texas Trailer Laws?

The team at Trailer Place can help you ensure your
trailer is compliant with all Texas requirements. We also handle registration and title paperwork
for every trailer we sell. Visit us at 2507 County Rd 231, Wharton, TX 77488 or call (979) 532-1486.