If you wish to tow a trailer in Nevada, you must ensure you comply with all related state laws, rules and regulations. Failure to do so can result in catastrophic collisions; in such cases, victims often seek the expertise of a Las Vegas 18-wheeler accident attorney to recover damages. Specific laws are in place to improve public safety and reduce the risk of trailer-related accidents, such as detachments and rear-end collisions. Failure to comply with Nevada’s trailer laws can lead to fines and penalties.
Trailers Must Be Registered
First, all trailers must be officially registered with the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles before they are operated on public streets. This includes trailers you tow as well as house trailers and semi-trailers. Trailers must also be properly titled.
If a trailer weighs less than 1,000 pounds, a small license plate will be assigned that must be affixed to the trailer. Failing to register and title your trailer can lead to traffic citations and the inability to tow the trailer until it is remedied.
Mandatory Trailer Equipment
Trailers must have certain required safety equipment before being pulled or operated in Nevada. State law requires the following:
- Service brakes on all wheels, if the trailer was manufactured after July 1, 1975, and has a gross weight of 1,500 pounds or more. In the event of the trailer detaching from the vehicle, the brakes must have the ability to remain applied for at least 15 minutes.
- Parking brakes on all trailers that weigh more than 3,000 pounds. These brakes must have the ability to hold the trailer in place on any road grade and in all weather conditions.
- Tail lamps or lights that are mounted 15 to 72 inches off the ground, in a straight line, with a red light that is visible from at least 500 feet from the rear. Two additional red reflectors on the back of the trailer are also required.
- Brake lights. At least two stop lamps that turn on when the brakes of the vehicle are applied. Brake lights need to be red, amber or yellow in color and be visible from at least 300 feet to the rear in daylight.
- Turn signals that work when the vehicle’s turn signals are activated (required on most trailers manufactured within the last 50 years).
All towed trailers must be connected to motor vehicles with safety chains that are capable of keeping the trailer connected to the vehicle in the event that the coupling mechanism breaks or fails.
Trailer Spec Restrictions
Trailers in Nevada cannot exceed certain weight, length and height limits for safety reasons. The state’s regulatory limits are 8.5 feet in width and 14 feet in height. There is no specific maximum trailer length in Nevada, but the trailer and vehicle combined cannot exceed 70 feet. If a trailer is over 24 feet long or weighs more than 8,000 pounds, certain cities (including Las Vegas) impose parking restrictions on public streets.
Trailer Accident Liability
Nevada is a fault-based insurance state, which means the driver, person or party at fault for an automobile accident is responsible for paying for victims’ damages. All motor vehicle operators are required to purchase and maintain certain amounts of bodily injury and property damage liability insurance.
While separate or additional insurance is not required specifically to cover towed trailers, a driver pulling a trailer must meet Nevada’s statewide insurance minimums. Most general auto insurance policies extend to cover any trailers towed by the vehicle.
If a driver is towing an unregistered, overloaded, oversized or otherwise unfit trailer and this causes an accident, the driver can be held liable (financially responsible) for the crash and all related damage caused. Proof of a violated Nevada trailer law could serve as evidence of negligence for a Las Vegas car accident claim.