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State Towing Law Lookup

The State Towing Law Lookup summarizes towing rules for all 50 states and Washington, D.C.: maximum speed while towing, required equipment such as safety chains and breakaway brakes, trailer lighting, towing rate regulations and where to file a complaint. Select a state to see its full summary, last reviewed 2026-01-15.

Last updated:

How this tool works

Choose a state and select Look Up Laws. The tool shows five fields from TowingServiceHub's state towing law dataset: maximum speed while towing, required equipment, lighting requirements, rate regulations for towing companies, and the agency and phone number for complaints. Each entry shows the date it was last reviewed (2026-01-15).

The table below lists the speed, equipment and rate rules for every jurisdiction. In this dataset, 34 of 51 jurisdictions use the posted speed limit for vehicles towing trailers, 46 require a breakaway switch on trailers over 3,000 lbs, and 33 report no statewide cap on towing rates.

Limitations: these are plain-language summaries, not legal text. Laws change and local ordinances can add rules, so verify with your state DOT or DMV before towing.

Towing laws in every state

Towing speed limits, required equipment and towing rate rules in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. (51 jurisdictions)
StateMax speed while towingRequired equipmentTowing rate regulations
AlabamaPosted speed limit (no specific towing limit)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs; Mirrors providing rear viewNo statewide towing rate caps
Alaska55 mph on highways when towingSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs GVWR; Two mirrors providing rear viewNo statewide towing rate caps
Arizona65 mph (same as posted, but 55 mph for vehicles over 10,000 lbs GVWR)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs; Flares or warning trianglesNo statewide rate caps; rates set by individual towing companies
ArkansasPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide towing rate regulations
California55 mph for all vehicles towing trailers (CVC §22406)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 1,500 lbs GVWR; Two exterior mirrorsNon-consensual tow rates regulated by local jurisdictions; most cities set maximum rates
ColoradoPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsMaximum non-consensual tow rates set by PUC for motor carriers
ConnecticutPosted speed limit (no specific towing restriction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNon-consensual tow rates regulated by Department of Motor Vehicles
DelawarePosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 4,000 lbs GVWRNo statewide rate caps
District of Columbia25 mph residential / posted speed limit on major roadsSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNon-consensual tow rates regulated by DC government; maximum rates posted
FloridaPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains for trailers over 3,000 lbs GVWR; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNon-consensual tow rates: maximum rates established by county/city ordinance
Georgia55 mph for vehicles towing trailers on interstatesSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNon-consensual tow rates regulated — maximum $150 for light-duty within city limits
Hawaii45 mph when towing on highwaysSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsTowing rates regulated by county
IdahoPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs GVWRNo statewide rate caps
Illinois55 mph for vehicles towing trailers on interstates (65 mph in some rural areas)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs; Two exterior mirrorsNon-consensual tow rates regulated by Illinois Commerce Commission
IndianaPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide towing rate regulations
IowaPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate regulations
KansasPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
KentuckyPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
LouisianaPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs GVWRNon-consensual tow rates regulated; maximum rates set by statute
Maine45 mph for vehicles towing trailers without brakesSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
Maryland55 mph on interstates when towingSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs; Two exterior mirrorsNon-consensual tow rates regulated by county and state
MassachusettsPosted speed limit (40 mph limit for unregistered trailers)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNon-consensual tow rates set by Division of Standards
MichiganPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps for consensual tows
MinnesotaPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs GVWRNo statewide towing rate caps
MississippiPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate regulations
MissouriPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
Montana65 mph daytime / 55 mph nighttime on interstates when towingSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate regulations
NebraskaPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
NevadaPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
New HampshirePosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
New Jersey55 mph on all highways when towing a trailerSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs; Two exterior mirrorsNon-consensual tow rates regulated by municipality
New MexicoPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
New York55 mph on interstates when towing a trailerSafety chains for all trailers; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs; Two exterior mirrorsNon-consensual tow rates regulated by city/county; NYC has strict rate schedules
North Carolina55 mph on interstates when towing a trailerSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 4,000 lbs GVWRNo statewide rate caps; some municipalities regulate
North DakotaPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
Ohio55 mph on highways when towingSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
OklahomaPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
Oregon55 mph on interstates when towingSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 1,500 lbs GVWRNon-consensual tow rates limited by ORS 98.854
PennsylvaniaPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains for all trailers; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
Rhode IslandPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
South CarolinaPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
South DakotaPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate regulations
Tennessee55 mph on interstates when towingSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNon-consensual tow rates regulated; varies by county
TexasPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 4,500 lbs GVWR; Two exterior mirrorsNon-consensual tow fees regulated by TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation)
UtahPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs GVWRNo statewide rate caps
VermontPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
Virginia55 mph on interstates when towingSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbs; Two exterior mirrorsNon-consensual tow rates regulated; localities can set maximum rates
WashingtonPosted speed limit (60 mph max for vehicles over 10,000 lbs GCWR)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNon-consensual tow rates limited by RCW 46.55
West VirginiaPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
WisconsinPosted speed limit (no specific towing reduction)Safety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps
WyomingPosted speed limitSafety chains; Breakaway switch for trailers over 3,000 lbsNo statewide rate caps

Plain-language summaries, last reviewed 2026-01-15. Use the lookup above for each state's lighting rules and complaint contact. Verify with your state DOT or DMV before towing.

Frequently asked questions

Which states have lower speed limits when towing a trailer?

California (55 mph for all vehicles towing trailers) and New Jersey (55 mph on all highways) are among the strictest in our data, Hawaii lists 45 mph, and New York, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee apply 55 mph on interstates. 34 of 51 jurisdictions use the posted limit.

When is a trailer breakaway brake required?

46 of the 51 jurisdictions in our data require a breakaway switch on trailers over 3,000 lbs. California and Oregon set the threshold at 1,500 lbs, Delaware and North Carolina at 4,000 lbs, and Texas at 4,500 lbs.

Are safety chains required in every state?

Yes. All 51 jurisdictions in our dataset list safety chains as required equipment. Florida's entry specifies chains for trailers over 3,000 lbs GVWR, while New York and Pennsylvania specify them for all trailers.

Do states cap what towing companies can charge?

33 of the 51 entries in our data report no statewide cap. Others regulate non-consensual tows, such as police or private-property tows: Texas through TDLR, Illinois through the Illinois Commerce Commission and Oregon under ORS 98.854. Cities and counties often set their own maximum rates.

How do I file a complaint about a towing company?

Each state entry lists the agency to contact, most often the state attorney general's consumer protection office (37 of 51 entries). In California, for example: file with California Bureau of Automotive Repair at (800) 952-5210 or local city/county tow hearing board.

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