Transporting Livestock in Mississippi: Rules Every Hauler Needs to Know

Hauling livestock across Mississippi roads means navigating a layered set of state and federal rules that cover everything from how your trailer is registered to how much airflow your animals need during the trip. Get any one of these details wrong and you risk fines, an out-of-service order, or worse — animals that arrive sick or injured.

Whether you’re moving cattle to a sale barn, trailering horses to a show, or hauling hogs to a processing facility, this guide walks you through every legal requirement you need to meet before you pull out of the driveway. Mississippi’s transporting livestock laws draw from state statutes, Mississippi Board of Animal Health regulations, and federal FMCSA standards — and all of them apply to you.

Livestock Trailer Registration and Identification Requirements in Mississippi

Before your trailer ever touches a public road in Mississippi, it must be properly registered and tagged. The Mississippi Department of Revenue states that trailers over 5,000 pounds gross vehicle weight must be titled. If your trailer is 5,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less, you may still need trailer registration and a tag. In short, nearly every livestock trailer will require some form of registration paperwork regardless of size.

When it comes to displaying your registration, placement matters. A license tag shall be issued for all trailers and semitrailers, and owners must attach such tags in a conspicuous position on the rear of each trailer under the rear light so that it will be visible at night at a distance of sixty feet.

Failing to keep your tag current is not a minor oversight. You can be ticketed for operating without the required tag and taxes paid, which is a misdemeanor in Mississippi with penalties that can include a fine from $10 to $100 and up to 30 days in county jail. Make it a habit to verify your registration status at your county tax collector’s office before each hauling season.

On the animal identification side, Mississippi aligns with federal traceability rules. All livestock entering Mississippi must be in compliance with the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Traceability Rule. For species like llamas and alpacas, individual identification is required, which includes age, sex, color, registry name and number, and permanent identification such as a USDA ear tag, tattoo, or microchip. If a microchip is used, a reader must be supplied by the owner.

If you’re bringing livestock into Mississippi from another state, documentation requirements become more specific. Livestock imports are required to meet Mississippi and federal interstate requirements, and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, permit, and/or waybill shall accompany the shipment as stipulated. Keep these documents in the cab — inspectors can and do ask for them at roadside stops. You can review the full entry requirements through the Mississippi Board of Animal Health.

Pro Tip: Store your Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, animal ID records, and trailer registration in a single folder in your cab. Having everything in one place saves time at weigh stations and roadside checks.

There is one notable tax exemption worth knowing. No tax shall be levied upon any trailer or any farm tractor using the highways solely in hauling or transporting farm products of the soil from the farm to the gin or market, or transporting fertilizer or feed to the farm, where the gross weight does not exceed eight thousand pounds, and where the title to such products is still in the producer thereof. If your haul qualifies, confirm this exemption with your county tax collector before assuming it applies.

Also relevant to Mississippi animal owners: if your operation involves chickens or other poultry, the state has separate transport and testing rules. You can read more about those in our guide on backyard chicken laws in Mississippi.

Structural and Safety Standards for Livestock Trailers in Mississippi

Your trailer’s physical condition is a compliance issue, not just a maintenance preference. All railway cars, trucks, and other conveyances used for the transportation of livestock and poultry shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. This applies whether you’re hauling across the state or just a few miles down a county road.

Mississippi law also sets specific requirements for how trailers are connected to towing vehicles. When one vehicle is towing another, the drawbar or other connection shall be of sufficient strength to pull all weight towed. The drawbar or other connection shall not exceed 15 feet from one vehicle to the other, except for connections between vehicles transporting objects of a structural nature that cannot readily be disassembled.

Brake requirements are another hard line in the law. Mississippi law requires trailers with a GVW of 3,000 pounds or more to have brakes on all wheels. The driver must be able to control these brakes from the towing vehicle’s seat. Most livestock trailers well exceed that threshold, so assume your trailer needs functional, driver-controlled brakes.

Safety chains are required for most bumper-pull setups. Safety chains, cables, or similar parts must be attached to bumper-pull trailers traveling over 20 mph, with exceptions for fifth wheels and kingpin setups. If you’re running a gooseneck or fifth-wheel hitch, the chain requirement doesn’t apply — but your hitch hardware must still be in proper working order.

Important Note: Carriers who fail to comply with Mississippi Board of Animal Health transport regulations or interfere with authorized inspectors can be found guilty of a misdemeanor under Miss. Code Ann. §§ 69-15-9, 69-15-111, and 69-15-331.

When towing with a chain, rope, or cable connection rather than a solid bar, visibility rules kick in. When one vehicle is towing another and the connection consists of a chain, rope, or cable, there shall be displayed upon such connection a white flag or cloth not less than 12 inches square. This requirement exists to alert other drivers to the towing connection.

For oversize livestock hauling rigs, flashing amber lights are mandatory. All oversize loads require flashing amber lights at the rear of the load. If your combination vehicle qualifies as oversize, make sure your lighting is installed and functioning before departure.

Size, Weight, and Load Limits for Livestock Trailers in Mississippi

Mississippi sets clear legal limits on how large and heavy your trailer can be before you need a special permit. Staying within those limits keeps you legal and protects both road infrastructure and your animals.

The standard dimensional limits for trailers in Mississippi are: width of 8 feet 6 inches (8 feet on non-designated highways), height of 13 feet 6 inches, vehicle total length of 99 feet, and trailer length of 53 feet. The legal gross vehicle weight is 80,000 pounds overall, with a single axle limit of 20,000 pounds, tandem axle limit of 34,000 pounds, and tridem axle limit of 42,000 pounds.

If your loaded livestock trailer pushes past any of those numbers, you’ll need to go through the permitting process. If you plan to tow a trailer that exceeds the standard size or weight limits, you’ll need to obtain a special permit from MDOT. This permit may include specific conditions, such as restricted travel times or the requirement to use pilot vehicles.

Oversized permit fees are set by MDOT. The fee for a temporary Mississippi trip permit is $25, valid for 72 hours. For annual blanket permits, the fee is $100 per year for an annual blanket permit or $10 per trip. You can obtain permits through a permitting service or by calling MDOT directly.

Pro Tip: Weigh your fully loaded trailer before your first run of the season. Livestock weight varies significantly by species, age, and condition — what fit within legal limits last year may not this year.

Load distribution matters as much as total weight. It’s essential to distribute the load evenly to avoid swaying or loss of control. The tongue weight — the downward force exerted on the hitch — should be 10 to 15 percent of the trailer’s total weight to maintain stability. Uneven loading can cause handling problems and may flag your rig during an inspection.

Mississippi also restricts when oversized loads can move. Movement is not permitted on Sunday, after 12:00 noon on days preceding or on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas, unless permitted. Plan your haul schedule around these restrictions to avoid violations. You can review MDOT’s full permit rules at the MDOT Office of Enforcement.

Drivers who refuse to stop at a weigh station face serious consequences. Any driver who fails or refuses to stop and submit the vehicle and load to a weighing shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by confinement in the county jail for not more than thirty days, or by both such fine and jail sentence.

Ventilation, Flooring, and Animal Space Requirements in Mississippi

Mississippi’s animal transport rules are rooted in both state sanitation standards and the federal framework governing humane treatment. Getting these details right protects your livestock — and your legal standing.

At the federal level, the Animal Welfare Act sets the overarching standard. One objective of the Animal Welfare Act is to assure the humane treatment of animals during transportation in commerce. Transportation can be a major stressor for animals, so it’s important to consider their welfare during the process. Animals should arrive at their destination in good health and minimally distressed.

Ventilation is a practical and legal necessity. Like humans, animals appreciate climate control. If you’re transporting in the summer, make sure there’s good airflow and ventilation throughout the transportation process. If you’re transporting in the winter, do your best to close off large openings to the bitter cold, while still leaving space for the animals to breathe. Modern livestock trailers designed for this purpose typically include adjustable vents and slat-style siding to manage airflow in different seasons.

Key Insight: Mississippi summers regularly push temperatures past 90°F. Inadequate ventilation during warm-weather hauls is one of the most common causes of heat stress and animal loss in transit. Inspect your trailer’s vent panels and side slats before every summer run.

Flooring integrity is critical for preventing injuries during loading, transit, and unloading. Livestock trailers should have non-slip flooring surfaces — rubber mats, grooved metal decking, or similar materials — to prevent animals from falling. Inspect your floor for rot, corrosion, or structural weakness before each trip, particularly in wooden-floor trailers exposed to urine and manure.

Space allocation for animals is governed by species-specific guidance. Crowding animals causes stress, injury, and in severe cases, death. General industry standards recommend the following minimum floor space per animal:

• Cattle (1,000–1,200 lbs): approximately 14–20 square feet per head
• Horses: approximately 20–24 square feet per animal
• Hogs (market weight): approximately 4–6 square feet per head
• Sheep/Goats: approximately 4–6 square feet per animal

For long hauls, federal law imposes mandatory rest and feeding stops. The Twenty-Eight Hour Law states that livestock being transported for longer than 28 consecutive hours must be offloaded for at least five consecutive hours to get feed, water, and rest. This federal requirement applies to commercial livestock transport and is enforced regardless of state lines. You can find additional transport welfare guidance through the USDA National Agricultural Library.

Sanitation of your transport vehicle is also a legal requirement in Mississippi, not just a best practice. Transporting vehicles entering Mississippi must have a certificate showing the vehicle has been cleaned and disinfected at the place of origin. The cleaning and disinfecting certificate must be signed by a state or federal veterinarian, or by a licensed accredited veterinarian, or by a qualified person designated by the State Veterinarian.

Providing food and water during transport is also part of your responsibility as a hauler. Providing food and water for your livestock is crucial to its overall mental well-being. Depending on the species and how far you’re traveling, it’s important to be prepared for your animal.

CDL and Driver License Requirements for Hauling Livestock in Mississippi

Whether you need a Commercial Driver’s License to haul livestock in Mississippi depends on the combined weight of your towing vehicle and trailer. Understanding where you fall on that scale is one of the first things you need to determine before hauling commercially.

In the state of Mississippi, a CDL is required for any vehicle with a weight of more than 26,000 pounds, or vehicles that carry hazardous materials or transport more than 16 passengers including the driver. For livestock haulers, the key number is that 26,000-pound combined threshold. Most full-size cattle or hog rigs will cross it.

Mississippi’s CDL system is structured into three classes. Class A covers any combination of vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Class B covers any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR. Class C covers any single vehicle or combination that does not meet the definition of Class A or B, but is designed to transport 16 or more passengers or is placarded for hazardous materials.

For most livestock haulers running a truck and trailer combination, a Class A CDL is the applicable license. Class A CDL is ideal for drivers operating combination vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 26,001 pounds, provided the towed vehicle is over 10,000 pounds, and is suitable for tractor-trailers, flatbeds, livestock carriers, and other heavy commercial vehicles used for long-haul transportation.

Mississippi does provide important exemptions for agricultural operators. Farmers are allowed to operate farm trucks within 150 miles of the farm to transport agriculture products without a CDL. This is a meaningful exemption for producers hauling their own animals to local markets or sale barns. However, this exemption does not extend to commercial haulers transporting livestock for hire.

Important Note: The 150-mile farm exemption applies only to farmers transporting their own agricultural products. If you are a commercial livestock hauler transporting animals on behalf of others, a full CDL is required regardless of distance.

Mississippi also offers a restricted CDL pathway for certain agricultural workers. Employees of farm-related service industries shall be exempt from the knowledge and skills tests required and shall be issued restricted commercial driver’s licenses. Farm-related service industries include farm retail outlets and suppliers, agri-chemical businesses, custom harvesters, and livestock feeders.

Age requirements also apply. To begin a CDL application in Mississippi, you should be at least 18 years old. However, if interstate travel or transporting hazardous materials is involved, you’ll need to be 21 or older. Interstate livestock haulers must meet the 21-year minimum.

All CDL holders must comply with federal self-certification rules. All CDL holders in the state of Mississippi must comply with federal regulations and self-certify with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. This means the driver must inform the MDPS whether they plan to drive only within state lines or if they plan to drive in other states, and whether they are required to hold a medical certificate.

For more on how Mississippi handles other animal-related regulations, see our overview of rooster laws in Mississippi and beekeeping laws in Mississippi, which follow a similar state-and-federal layered structure.

Passing Roadside Inspections With a Livestock Trailer in Mississippi

Roadside inspections are a routine part of commercial livestock hauling in Mississippi, and being caught unprepared can mean delays, fines, or an out-of-service order that leaves your animals sitting on the side of the road. Knowing what inspectors look for — and preparing for it in advance — is the most practical thing you can do.

Inspections may be conducted at a variety of locations, such as weigh stations, border checkpoints, bus terminals, a carrier’s terminal, or when a law enforcement official stops a commercial motor vehicle. In other words, you can be inspected almost anywhere at any time.

All inspectors must be certified to conduct roadside inspections as outlined by the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). CVSA developed the North American Standard Inspection Criteria, which outline procedures based on the level of inspection conducted. These levels range from a full driver and vehicle inspection (Level I) to a walk-around vehicle inspection (Level II) to a driver-only inspection (Level III).

Mississippi incorporates federal safety standards into its enforcement framework. Mississippi incorporates FMCSA standards into its regulations, ensuring consistency and safety across state and national levels. CVSA inspections are conducted to ensure that trucks meet safety standards, covering aspects from vehicle maintenance to driver qualifications.

Here is what inspectors typically check on a livestock trailer during a roadside stop:

• Brakes: Condition and function of all brake components, including brake lines and adjusters
• Tires: Tread depth, inflation, and signs of damage or uneven wear
• Lights: All running lights, brake lights, turn signals, and clearance lights
• Coupling devices: Hitch condition, safety chains, and drawbar integrity
• Trailer structure: Floor condition, walls, gates, and latches
• Documentation: Registration, Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, driver’s license or CDL, and any required permits
• Sanitation: Cleanliness of the trailer and, for interstate shipments, the cleaning certificate

Failure to comply with Mississippi’s trailer towing laws can result in fines, penalties, or even impoundment of your trailer. Law enforcement officers in Mississippi have the authority to conduct inspections, so it’s essential to ensure your trailer meets all legal requirements before hitting the road.

Common Mistake: Many livestock haulers focus entirely on their truck during pre-trip checks and neglect the trailer. Inspectors evaluate the trailer as a separate unit. Walk the full length of your trailer, check every latch and gate, and verify all lights are working before departure.

Electronic Logging Devices are also part of the compliance picture for commercial haulers. ELDs are used to track driving hours to comply with federal hours of service regulations, ensuring drivers have adequate rest. If your operation requires a CDL and you’re running commercial routes, you likely need an ELD installed and functioning. Inspectors can and do check ELD compliance during roadside stops.

The best way to pass a roadside inspection is to treat every pre-trip check as if an inspector is watching. Make sure you have the correct license to operate your intended vehicle, a trailer that passes inspections, and plate registrations up to date. Run through your checklist, carry all required documentation, and keep your trailer clean and structurally sound. For the most current FMCSA regulations governing commercial vehicle inspections, visit the FMCSA regulations portal directly.

If you want to understand how Mississippi’s animal laws apply beyond the road, explore our related guides on dog leash laws in Mississippi, roadkill laws in Mississippi, and kennel zoning laws in Mississippi for a broader picture of how the state regulates animal ownership and transport.