Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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 Hawaii?

The state of Hawaii requires that all trailers be inspected and registered with the Department of Finance with the exception of those classified as Special Mobile Equipment. You simply have to take your documents to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing office who will then fill out a registration form for you to sign.

As long as all your paperwork is in order you will be issued a registration and license plate. If filing for the first time you will need:

• Notarized Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO) or Manufacturer Statement of Origin (MSO)
• If the above documents are not notarized then a notarized copy of the Bill of Sale will do.

If your trailer is homemade you will need to make an appointment with a Motor Vehicle Control Inspector who will pre-inspect the trailer. Assuming it passes this inspection they will give you a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

You would next take the trailer to undergo safety testing for which it will be awarded a certificate if it passes. This will allow you to have the trailer registered.

Hawaii General Towing Laws

These are general rules in Hawaii 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.

It is important to note that although RVs are not illegal in the state of Hawaii it is often against the law to camp in them. You must find out where you can legally park and reside in your RV.

Hawaii 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.

• You can not ride in or live in a trailer while it is being towed along public roads in the state.
• The total length of tow vehicle and trailer can not exceed 65 feet not including safety or energy-saving devices.
• The maximum length for the trailer is not specified for Hawaii.
• The maximum width for a trailer is 96 inches although some roads will permit up to 108 inches.
• The maximum height of a trailer and load is 14 ft.

Hawaii Trailer Hitch and Signal Laws

There are laws in Hawaii 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.

Ball hitch mounts can be done on either the bumper or the frame but regardless of which will require a safety chain.

Hawaii 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.

Each side of the trailer must have a light that shall be In use from 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. These lights must also be visible from at least 200 ft away in any direction.

Hawaii 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.

Hawaii Trailer Mirror Laws

The rules for mirrors in Hawaii are not specified although they are likely required and you may be pulled over if you do not have any or they are unusable. 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.

Hawaii Brake Laws

The brakes on your tow vehicle and potentially on your trailer are important to the safety of any towing operation. Ensure that they meet state guidelines and adhere to the stated rules for use on the road with a trailer.

Trailers with a gross weight of over 3,000 lbs. require an independent braking system.

Conclusion

There are a number of laws in Hawaii that pertain to towing and trailers which are designed to keep the roads and road users safe. When it comes to trailers Hawaii is not heavily regulated and they do have more flexibility when it comes to size.

Most states only allow trailer width of between 96 – 102 inches while Hawaii will permit trailers up to 108 inches wide. They also allow trailer and load height up to 14 ft. In the other categories there are only a few rules although common sense regulations apply so tow safely and maintain your trailer for safety purposes.

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