North Dakota trailer laws and regulations
North Dakota trailer rules: 1,500 lb title cutoff, 3,000 lb brake threshold, 25 mph safety chain rule and the 75 ft combination cap.
In North Dakota, the title and licence cutoff is 1,500 lb. Trailers at or under that, not for hire and not commercial, can skip both. Brakes are required when GVWR tops 3,000 lb, and any trailer being towed faster than 25 mph needs safety chains plus brakes adequate to control and stop the rig.
NDDOT covers titling, registration and the Motor Vehicle Registration Manual is the source for the fees. The legal size and weight guide for combinations comes from NDHP Motor Carrier Operations.
Quick reference
| Item | North Dakota rule |
|---|---|
| Title and licence | All trailers over 1,500 lb (and commercial/for-hire at any weight) |
| Brakes required | Trailers over 3,000 lb GVWR |
| Safety chain trigger | Trailers towed over 25 mph |
| Breakaway brake | Required on trailers needing brakes |
| Max combo length | 75 ft |
| Max trailer length | 53 ft (or whatever was on file before July 1, 1987) |
| Max width | 102 in, 6 in appurtenance allowance |
| Max height | 14 ft |
| Mirror visibility | 200 ft to the rear |
Registration and titles
North Dakota titles and licenses trailers, semi-trailers and farm trailers. Exemptions:
- Trailers under 1,500 lb, not for hire, not commercial
- Trailers hauling non-registered recreational craft (motorcycles, ATVs, boats, snowmobiles) unless those craft race competitively
- Single-axle car towing dollies
- Pup trailers
- Trailers towed by a motorcycle (unless they contain sleeping quarters)
- Over-width combine trailers (which may need a special permit instead)
General towing rules
North Dakota doesn’t keep a separate list of general towing rules. The standard motor vehicle code applies.
Dimensions
Tow vehicle plus trailer combination can run up to 75 ft. Trailer body length caps at 53 ft, with grandfather treatment for trailers registered in North Dakota before July 1, 1987.
Width is 102 inches with an appurtenance allowance of 6 inches beyond the body. Height tops out at 14 ft.
Hitches and chains
Any tow setup needs a safety chain in addition to the primary coupling. Drawbars, couplings and chains all have to be designed and built so they can’t separate accidentally.
Lighting rules
Every trailer on a public road needs:
- Working tail lights
- Brake lights
- Licence plate light
- Turn signals
- Red reflectors at the rear, amber at the front
If the trailer or load blocks the tow vehicle’s lights, the trailer needs its own equivalent.
Speed limits while towing
Posted limits apply. North Dakota doesn’t set a separate towing speed.
Mirror rules
The driver has to see at least 200 ft of highway behind. If the load blocks that, mirrors need to be configured to restore the view.
Brake rules
Trailers over 3,000 lb GVWR need a working brake system controllable from the cab. Any trailer being towed faster than 25 mph needs safety chains and sufficient brakes to control and stop the trailer.
Trailer brakes have to be operable from inside the tow vehicle and need a breakaway system that applies the trailer brakes automatically if it separates from the tow vehicle.