1. A. All trailers and semitrailers having an actual gross weight of 10,000 pounds or more shall be equipped with operational brakes acting on all wheels.

2. B. Inspect for and reject if:

   1. 1. Trailer brakes do not comply with provisions of 19VAC30-70-430, 19VAC30-70-440 and 19VAC30-70-450.
   2. 2. Operator does not have full control over brakes. For the purpose of this subdivision, surge brakes are considered to be in control of the operator.
   3. 3. Combination will not stop as required in 19VAC30-70-440 D 5.

   4. 4. Breakaway braking devices are missing or inoperative or cable is frayed or broken, or trailers are not equipped with emergency breakaway brakes designed to:

      1. a. Apply automatically upon breakaway from towing vehicle.
      2. b. Remain fully applied for at least 15 minutes.
      3. c. Apply and release by operation of the manual emergency control.

      4. d. Apply automatically when the pressure in the towing vehicle reservoir is reduced to a point between 45 and 20 PSI by a series of foot applications, when equipped with air brakes.

         NOTE: A minimum of one wheel must be removed from each axle equipped with brakes to inspect the brake components.

         Exceptions:

      5. a. Wheels on trailers equipped with open brake mechanisms are not required to be removed.
      6. b. The inspection receipt (approval and rejection) shall be marked to reflect which wheel, drum or dust cover was removed or inspected.

Statutory Authority

§ 46.2-1165 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR545-01-07 § 46, eff. May 1, 1990; amended, Virginia Register Volume 10, Issue 8, eff. February 9, 1994; Volume 15, Issue 2, eff. November 11, 1998; Volume 21, Issue 4, eff. September 22, 2004; Volume 24, Issue 8, eff. March 1, 2008; Volume 28, Issue 24, eff. August 1, 2012; Volume 32, Issue 24, eff. October 3, 2016.