Georgia Trailer Laws and Regulations

If you often find yourself towing heavy loads around your state you probably have some idea of the state laws and rules that apply to do this. Some people may not be aware however that sometimes laws can differ state by state. This can mean you might be legal in one state but crossing the border you might well get pulled over for an infringement you were not expecting.

In this article we are going to look at the laws for Georgia which may vary from the state you might be driving in from. There may also be regulations you were not aware of as a native to the state which might catch you out. So read on and let us try to keep you from costly tickets.

Do Trailers Need to Be Registered in Georgia?

The state of Georgia requires a serial plate to be attached to the trailer using rivets and that a state law enforcement officer fill out a form T-22C as certification that the plate was affixed. Once this is done you submit the completed form along with the license plate fee and any other applicable taxes to the county tag office.

According to Georgia’s Department of Motor Vehicles trailers are exempt from the state's mandatory liability insurance regulations. You may however want to insure your trailer as if it is damaged then you can potentially claim for repairs.

Insurance on your trailer may also protect you against liability damage and injury caused by your trailer. If the trailer were to break loose and cause an accident your tow vehicle insurance would not cover this so insuring the trailer is a wise move.

Georgia General Towing Laws

These are general rules in Georgia regarding towing that you might come foul of if you were not aware of them. Sometimes you may get away with an infringement of these rules because you did not know them but you can not assume this will be the case.

You are prohibited from allowing anyone to ride or occupy a house trailer while it is being towed.

Georgia Trailer Dimension Rules

It is important to know the state laws governing the sizes of loads and trailers. You may need permits for some loads while others may not be allowed on certain types of roads.

• The total length of tow vehicle and trailer can not exceed 60 feet not including safety or energy-saving devices
• The maximum length for the trailer is not specified for Georgia
• The maximum width for a trailer is 96 inches although some roads will permit up to 102 inches
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 13 ft 6”

Georgia Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in Georgia that relate to the trailer hitch and safety signals displayed by the trailer. It is important to be aware of these laws as they are safety based so may carry potentially large fines.

When it comes to hitch rules the only one for Georgia is that you do require a safety chain in addition to the main form of connection between tow vehicle and trailer.

Georgia Trailer Lighting Laws

When you are towing something that will obscure the rear lights of your tow vehicle it is important to be able to communicate your upcoming and present actions in the form of lights. This is why there are rules regarding trailer lighting.

• All trailers must have at least two tail lights which emit a red light and are attached to the rear of the trailer and are visible from 500 ft away.
• Tail lights must be mounted no more than 60 but no less than 20 inches from the road surface.

Georgia Speed Limits

When it comes to speed limits this varies and depends on the posted speeds of the specific area. You obviously should not exceed the posted speed limit in any area. When it comes to normal towing there are no specific different limits but it is expected that the speed is kept at a sensible level.

If your trailer is being caused to sway or lose control due to speed you may be pulled over even if you are within the posted limits. This is because the trailer may be posing a threat to public safety and you will be asked to slow down.

Georgia Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in Georgia are very specific in that the driver's rearview mirrors must be equipped with mirrors that give a clear view of the road behind for at least 200 ft. If your mirrors are obscured and do not offer this you may need to make adjustments.

If your view is compromised by the width of your load you may want to consider extensions to your existing mirrors. These can come in the form of mirrors that can slip over your existing rear views to improve your view past the load.

Georgia Brake Laws

Trailers and Semi Trailers that have a gross weight of over $3,000 lbs. must be equipped with adequate brakes that affect all of the wheels.

• Every motor vehicle that is being operated on the highway must be fitted with brakes that are adequate to control the movement and to stop/hold such vehicle and trailer.
• Trailers with a gross weight of over 3,000 lbs. require brakes on all wheels

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in Georgia that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. Georgia tends to be flexible with regards to some of their rules allowing extra trailer dimensions for added safety features and not overly regulating hitches.

Common sense safety is however expected so damaged, poorly loaded or badly driven trailers may fall foul of the highway patrol.

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