Registration and licence plate
You must have valid registration from an Alberta registry for your trailer and it must be with you when you are towing the trailer. There must also be a valid licenCe plate attached to the rear of the trailer and clearly visible. The registration and licence plate are required before the trailer can be used on the road.
Equipment
- Your trailer must have working tail-lights, brake lights, and turn signals that are activated from the towing vehicle.
- If you have a ball-and-socket hitch, you will also need to attach safety chains between the trailer and the towing vehicle. Chains should be crossed under the tongue of the trailer and fastened securely. This applies to all trailers except fifth-wheel trailers.
- If your trailer is equipped with a secondary emergency breakaway system, be sure that the system is connected properly according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Adjust your vehicle’s mirrors so you can see the traffic clearly that is approaching from behind. You must use extension mirrors if the trailer is wider than the vehicle that is towing the trailer.
Brakes are required on a trailer if they are needed to control the safe movement of the trailer. However, the following trailers do not require brakes:
- trailers with a gross weight of 910 kilograms (2,000 pounds) or less, or
- trailers with a gross weight that is less than half the unloaded weight of the vehicle that is doing the towing.
Towing a trailer
When driving with a trailer, it is important to keep in mind the added weight and length:
- Allow for extra time and distance before entering traffic.
- Maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles and be mindful of the extra space needed to manoeuvre with the added length of the trailer.
- Accelerate and brake more slowly, and allow for additional time when merging or changing lanes.
- If you are driving on a multi-lane highway, remember that slower-moving vehicles should travel in the right lane.
- Plan your driving. Look well ahead to anticipate and manage potential hazards. Avoid situations that may require quick lane changes or unexpected stops.
- If traffic builds behind you, find a safe place to stop off the road to allow others to pass.