What Are The Trailer Laws in North Carolina?
Look no further than Arrow Trail to be your one-stop destination for all things trailers in North Carolina. In this article, we provide you with all the information you need to hit the road with a trailer in North Carolina. Requirements such as legal dimensions, registration, brake system, and more are all answered in this article. Once you get the information you need, check out your inventory at our dealer in NC to get started!
Registration & Titling Requirements
Do Trailers Need to Be Registered in North Carolina?
If your towing vehicle is registered in North Carolina, your trailer will also have to be registered. If you would like short-term registration, there is a temporary one-year registration that must be renewed each year with a small fee. For long-term registration, a multi-year registration will have a bigger fee, but you will not have to renew it each year.
Do Trailers Need Titles in North Carolina?
Yes, your trailer needs a title in North Carolina. This also helps when you plan to buy or sell your trailer. You must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license to title. There are specific requirements for trailers that you can find here.
Does My Trailer Need To Be Inspected in North Carolina?
If your trailer weighs more than 4,000 pounds, it will need to be inspected every year by the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) to meet the state’s standards.
Does My Trailer Need A Permit in North Carolina?
A permit is only required for your trailer if it is overweight. You must apply for a special permit through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT). This permit will allow you to tow oversized loads.
Trailer Dimensions & Weight Restrictions
Maximum Legal Dimensions
The maximum length of both the towing vehicle and trailer is 60 feet. The maximum length for a trailer with two or more axles is 40 feet.
The maximum width, including the load on the trailer, cannot exceed 102 inches, and the maximum height, including trailer load, cannot exceed 14 feet.
Weight Limits
There are no specific weight restrictions for trailers in North Carolina, but you must follow the towing vehicle’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). Make sure to calculate the trailer load, fuel, and passengers for the GVWR. Not sure how much your trailer weighs? Read this blog to find out.
A single axle should not contain more than 20,000 pounds of cargo, and the cargo on the trailer must be distributed evenly.
Lighting, Equipment, & Mirrors
Do You Need Lights on a Trailer in North Carolina?
Yes, you are required to have trailer lights in North Carolina, including:
- 2 tail lights visible from at least 500 feet away
- Brake lights if the trailer blocks the towing vehicle’s brake lights
- Turn signals
- Red reflectors on the rear of the trailer
- Amber reflectors on the front or sides of the trailer
Safety Chains, Hitches, and Couplers
Trailers are required to use both a hitch and safety chains. Hitches must be able to tow the trailer’s weight. Trailers must also have safety chains to be a secondary support in the off chance the hitch fails.
Mirrors
North Carolina law requires extended mirrors if your trailer is wider than the towing vehicle. This is important if the trailer blocks your rearview and you are unable to see the traffic behind you.
Brake System Requirements
A braking system is not required unless your trailer weighs over 4,000 pounds. Braking systems are important for heavier trailers to make sure it can stop safely without putting too much braking force on the towing vehicle.
Wheel Requirements
Trailers must have tires made of rubber or other resilient material with compressed air to support the trailer load on all North Carolina roads, especially highways.
License Plates & Driver Licensing
Do You Need A License Plate For Your Trailer in North Carolina?
Yes, a license plate is required for your trailer, especially if it is over 4,000 pounds. To get a license plate, you’ll need a bill of sale and the trailer’s VIN.
Do You Need A CDL to Haul a Trailer in North Carolina?
A CDL is only needed for trailers with very heavy loads. Loads under 20,000 pounds will typically not require a CDL to haul.
Do You Need Insurance for a Trailer in North Carolina?
Getting separate insurance for your trailer is not required, but it’s always a good idea. In order to register your trailer for insurance, you will have to show proof that your towing vehicle is already registered.
Find A Trailer That Meets North Carolina’s Legal Standards
Time To Hit The Road With Your Trailer
Now that you have all the information you need, it’s time to get your trailer. Arrow Trail proudly offers high-quality trailers that are ready for your next adventure. From dump trailers to flat decks and tilt decks, we have what you need with the performance you need. We have the information you need to choose the right trailer for your needs, the right trailer size, and what each trailer type is best used for. Visit our dealer or request a quote to get started today!