State

For Towed Cars
(Braking System Required)

For Trailers
(Braking System Required)

Alabama

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Alaska

Breakaway required over 3,000 lbs.

Required over 5,000 lbs.,  Breakaway required

Arizona

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Arkansas

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

California

Not stated, see Trailer Laws. Also, Mudflaps or Mudguards are required on 3 or more wheel vehicles 1,500 lbs or more if the body of the vehicle does not provide adequate protection against spray or splash of water or mud.

Required over 1,500 lbs.

Colorado

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required with breakaway over 3,000 lbs.

Connecticut

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Delaware

Required over 4,000 lbs.

Required over 4,000 lbs.

Dist. Columbia

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs., or 40% of gross weight of towing vehicle.

Florida

Required with breakaway over 3,000 lbs.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Georgia

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Hawaii

Brake hookup required.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Idaho

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required with Breakaway over 1,500 lbs.

Illinois

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Required over 3,000 lbs. Breakaway required over 5,000 lbs.

Indiana

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required with breakaway over 3,000 lbs.

Iowa

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Kansas

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Brakes required on towing vehicle.

Kentucky

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Vehicles must be able to stop within distance specified by statute.

Louisiana

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Maine

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Maryland

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Massachusetts

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Not stated.  Required if towing vehicle can't stop within legal limits.

Michigan

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Minnesota

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Brake hook up required except where brakes on towing vehicle are adequate to stop both vehicles within distance required by law.

Mississippi

Brake hookup required.

Required over 2,000 lbs.

Missouri

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Not stated.  Required if towing vehicle can't stop within legal limits.

Montana

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required with breakaway over 3,000 lbs.

Nebraska

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.  Breakaway required over 6,500 lbs.

Nevada

Required over 3,000 lbs. w/ Breakaway.

Required at 1,500 lbs. if trailer made after 7/1/75. If trailer made before 7/1/75, required if over 3,000 lbs.

New Hampshire

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required for house trailers over 1,500 lbs.  3,000 lbs. for all other types of trailers.

New Jersey

Brake hookup required.

Every vehicle towing needs to be equipped w/ brake hook-up and brakes must be synchronized w/ towed vehicle.

New Mexico

Brake hookup required.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

New York

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Every trailer weighing more than 1,000 lbs. (unladen) and every trailer manufactured on or after January 1, 1971, having a maximum gross weight or actual gross weight of more than 3,000 lbs. Shall be equipped with adequate brakes in good working order.

North Carolina

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 4,000 lbs., and on house trailers more than 1,000 lbs.

Oklahoma

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required on all wheels when over 3,000 lbs.

Oregon

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Not stated, but vehicle must stop within legal limits.

Pennsylvania

Breakaway required when weight at or in excess of 3,000 lbs..

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Rhode Island

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Every trailer with a gross weight of 4,000 lbs or more must have brakes that are adequate to slow, stop and hold the vehicle. Brakes must be designed so they can be applied from the driver of the towing vehicle's normal operating position and that they will be automatically applied in the case of an accidental breakaway. New trailers must have service brakes on all wheels.

South Carolina

Required over 3,000 lbs. Must not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle.

Required over 3,000 lbs. Must not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle.

South Dakota

Brake hookup required.

Required over 3,000 lbs. Must not exceed 40% of the gross weight of the towing vehicle.

Tennessee

Brake hookup required.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Texas

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 4,500 lbs when speed is over 30mph

Utah

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Every motor vehicle or combination of vehicles shall have a service braking system which will stop the vehicle or combination within 40' from an initial speed of 20mph on level, dry, smooth, hard surface.

Vermont

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs. or when gross weight of trailer exceeds 40% of towing vehicle weight.

Virginia

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Washington

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required with breakaway over 3,000 lbs.

West Virginia

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs.

Wisconsin

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Required over 3,000 lbs. or when gross weight of trailer exceeds 40% of towing vehicle weight.

Wyoming

Not stated, see Trailer Laws.

Must be able to stop within 40' at 20 m.p.h.

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