If you tow a light trailer (up to 3500kg when loaded), it must be licensed (rego) and have a WoF. To meet the WoF standard your trailer must be in good condition (no rust around safety areas) and it must have the following equipment in good working order:
A. A safe and strong coupling and a safety chain or cable.
B. A draw bar with no damage or corrosion.
C. If the trailer or its load is more than 2 metres wide, it must have 2 white lights at the front to show how wide it is.
D. Safe tyres – the tread depth must be at least 1.5 millimetres around the tyre.
E. Mudguards.
Depending on the year of registration, your trailer will also need the following features:
F. One or 2 red tail lights to show the width.
G. 2 red stop lights at the back, if the driver’s signals can’t be seen.
H. Direction indicators at the back.
I. A current trailer WoF issued by a WoF inspector.
J. A number plate light at the back.
K. A current licence label (rego) needs to be positioned close to the number plate.
L. 2 red reflectors at the back (one on each side).
To ensure the stability of the vehicle and trailer combination when towing, the trailer should exert a downwards force on the towing vehicle’s towbar equal to about 10 percent of the weight of the trailer plus its load.
The load on the trailer must not extend more than 4 metres behind the rear axle.
The load on the trailer must not extend more than 1.275 metres on either side from the centre of the trailer.
If the load extends more than 1 metre behind the trailer, you must tie on a white or red flag, or an orange or yellow fluorescent flag during daylight. At night the flag must be replaced by lights. The flag must be at least 40 centimetres by 30 centimetres in size. The load must be tied on firmly and must not touch the ground.
