Transporting Livestock in North Dakota: Trailer Laws, CDL Rules, and Road Requirements

Hauling livestock across North Dakota roads involves far more than loading animals and pulling onto the highway. Whether you are moving cattle between pastures, trailering hogs to a processing facility, or shipping horses to a sale barn, you are subject to a layered set of state and federal rules that govern your trailer, your load, your license, and your conduct at roadside inspections.

Getting even one of these elements wrong can result in fines, out-of-service orders, or worse — an animal welfare incident on a busy highway. This guide walks you through every major legal requirement so you can haul with confidence and stay compliant from the moment you hitch up to the moment you unload.

Pro Tip: Always verify current requirements directly with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture or the ND Highway Patrol before your first haul of the season, as rules and emergency waivers can change quickly.

Livestock Trailer Registration and Identification Requirements in North Dakota

Before your trailer rolls a single mile on a public road, it must meet North Dakota’s registration and identification standards. The rules hinge primarily on the trailer’s weight and intended use.

State law exempts any trailer, semitrailer, or farm trailer weighing less than 1,500 pounds from registration if it is not used for commercial purposes. However, all other trailers must be registered with the Department of Transportation every year. Most livestock trailers — even modest bumper-pull units loaded with a few head of cattle — exceed that threshold, so annual registration is the practical standard for nearly every working livestock hauler.

On the animal documentation side, the rules vary depending on whether you are moving livestock within North Dakota or bringing animals in from another state. Importation permits are required on certain animals entering North Dakota. Permits can be obtained by calling the State Board of Animal Health at the ND Department of Agriculture, 600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept 602, Bismarck, ND 58505, phone 701-328-2655 during office hours, or after hours at 701-220-5194 or 701-220-0092.

Certificates of veterinary inspection (CVI) are required on most animals imported into the state. The certificate must be made on official state or federal forms and contain the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee, along with an accurate description and identification of the animals.

For cattle specifically, identification requirements apply at the point of entry. Cattle entering the state must be officially identified by a method approved by the state veterinarian. Feeder heifers, feeder steers, and spayed heifers are exempt from identification rules, unless they are dairy source or exhibition or rodeo animals.

Do not underestimate the enforcement risk. The North Dakota Century Code states that importing animals without a required CVI can result in fines of up to $5,000 per violation. The Board of Animal Health plans to step up surveillance and enforcement of animal movement regulations at fairs and events in 2026. You can review full importation requirements at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s animal movement page.

If you are curious how related animal regulations work in neighboring states, see our guide to roadkill laws in South Dakota or pit bull laws in South Dakota for a sense of how regional rules compare.

Structural and Safety Standards for Livestock Trailers in North Dakota

A registered trailer is not automatically a road-legal trailer. North Dakota enforces structural and safety standards that apply to any trailer operating on public highways, and livestock trailers face additional scrutiny because of the live cargo they carry.

Braking is one of the most critical structural requirements. Any trailer traveling faster than 25 mph must have sufficient safety chains or brakes to control and stop the vehicle. The driver should be able to apply these brakes from inside the cab, and they should be designed so that in case of an accidental breakaway, the brakes will automatically activate. For a loaded livestock trailer — which can add tens of thousands of pounds to your combination — functional trailer brakes are not optional.

Lighting and visibility standards are equally firm. All vehicles must have working taillights, brake lights, license plate lights, turn signals, and reflectors. Inspect every light before each haul. A burned-out brake light on a livestock trailer is a common citation trigger at roadside checkpoints.

Rear-view mirror requirements also apply to the towing vehicle. Drivers are required to have a rear-view mirror that reflects the highway for at least 200 feet behind their vehicle, whether they are operating it alone or while towing another vehicle. Wide livestock trailers frequently block standard mirrors, so extended towing mirrors are a practical necessity on most rigs.

Important Note: Even during emergency executive orders that waive certain weight and hours-of-service restrictions, all road safety and vehicle compliance regulations continue to apply and will be fully enforced by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

For commercial livestock haulers operating under federal motor carrier rules, the Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 sets out detailed parts and accessories requirements. Nothing in any emergency order shall be construed to relieve carriers from regulations pertaining to the qualifications of drivers operating commercial motor vehicles, or parts and accessories necessary for the safe operation of motor vehicles.

You can find additional context on how North Dakota handles animal-related road situations in our overview of roadkill laws in North Dakota.

Size, Weight, and Load Limits for Livestock Trailers in North Dakota

North Dakota enforces specific dimensional and weight limits on all trailers operating on its road network. Knowing these numbers before you load is essential — exceeding them without a permit can result in fines and forced unloading.

Length Limits

The total length of the vehicle, bumper to bumper, is 75 feet. The trailer itself is 53 feet long — unless it was registered in the state prior to July 1, 1987 — and the overall width is 8.5 feet, with an appurtenance that can extend no more than 6 inches beyond the body of the vehicle.

Height Limits

The height limit imposed by law is 14 feet. Double-deck livestock trailers used for hogs or sheep can approach this ceiling when loaded, so measure your rig before using routes with low overpasses or bridge clearances.

Weight Limits

The maximum gross vehicle weight on the interstate highway system is 80,000 pounds. On state routes, posted limits may be lower, and spring road restrictions can reduce allowable weights significantly during freeze-thaw periods. Always check current postings before hauling heavy loads in late winter or early spring.

• Interstate GVW maximum: 80,000 lbs
• Overall combination length maximum: 75 feet
• Maximum trailer length: 53 feet
• Maximum width: 8.5 feet (plus 6-inch appurtenance allowance)
• Maximum height: 14 feet

If your loaded livestock trailer exceeds any of these dimensions, you need an oversize or overweight permit from the North Dakota Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Operations division. Permits for oversize and overweight vehicles and loads can be obtained by visiting the NDHP website, calling 701-328-2621, or writing to North Dakota Highway Patrol, Motor Carrier Operations, 600 E Boulevard Avenue.

Key Insight: During declared agricultural emergencies, the state has temporarily increased combination length limits to 95 feet and GVW limits to 105,500 pounds for livestock and hay haulers — but only when a valid executive order is in effect and carried in the cab.

Speed limits also affect how you operate a loaded livestock rig. The speed limit for rural interstates is 75 mph, for non-interstate multilane highways is 70 mph, and for two-lane highways is 65 mph if posted. If the speed limit is not posted, the default speed limit becomes 55 mph. Driving at or near posted limits with a full livestock load requires extra stopping distance — always factor trailer weight into your following distance.

Ventilation, Flooring, and Animal Space Requirements in North Dakota

North Dakota does not maintain a standalone state statute that prescribes exact square footage per animal or specific ventilation specifications for livestock trailers. Instead, the operative standards come from a combination of federal humane transport regulations, industry best practices, and the general animal welfare provisions embedded in North Dakota Century Code Title 36.

Federal Standards That Apply to Your Haul

The federal Twenty-Eight Hour Law (49 U.S.C. § 80502) applies to livestock transported by vehicle across state lines. It requires that animals be unloaded for rest, water, and feed after 28 consecutive hours of transport. Handlers may extend this to 36 hours upon written request of the owner. This rule applies to commercial carriers; purely private, non-commercial farm moves may be treated differently, but you should confirm your status with the FMCSA before assuming an exemption.

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) also sets humane handling standards that affect how animals must be loaded, confined, and cared for during transit. These standards address:

• Adequate space for animals to stand in a natural position without injury
• Separation of incompatible animals (bulls from cows, aggressive animals from others)
• Protection from weather extremes during loading and unloading
• Access to water and feed during extended transport stops

Flooring and Structural Integrity

While North Dakota does not publish a specific livestock trailer flooring code, the NDHP roadside inspection process evaluates whether a trailer is structurally sound and fit for the cargo it carries. Inspectors look for:

• Broken or rotted floorboards that could allow a hoof to break through
• Sharp protrusions or exposed metal edges that could injure animals
• Functional latches and gates that prevent animals from escaping
• Adequate drainage to prevent slippery buildup of manure and urine

Common Mistake: Many haulers overlook flooring condition until an inspection flags it. Check trailer floor boards from underneath before every haul, especially on older wooden-floor trailers that see heavy use.

Ventilation

Proper ventilation is both a welfare and a safety issue. Overheated livestock in a sealed trailer can suffer heat stress within minutes in summer conditions. Side slats or vented panels should be unobstructed, and any tarping used for cold-weather protection should still allow adequate airflow at the animal level. During North Dakota’s extreme winters, balance warmth with air exchange to prevent ammonia buildup from accumulating waste.

For additional context on North Dakota’s broader approach to animal welfare and ownership regulations, see our articles on beekeeping laws in North Dakota and goat ownership laws in South Dakota.

CDL and Driver License Requirements for Hauling Livestock in North Dakota

Whether you need a Commercial Driver License to haul livestock in North Dakota depends on your combination weight, your relationship to the farm, and how far you are traveling from the operation.

The Basic CDL Threshold

A CDL is only required in North Dakota when operating (1) vehicles over 26,001 pounds, (2) vehicles that require placards, (3) vehicles designed to carry 16 or more occupants including the driver, or (4) vehicle combinations that have a combined gross weight over 26,001 pounds, provided that the gross weight of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,001 lbs.

For livestock haulers, the most relevant trigger is the combination weight rule. A pickup truck rated at 9,000 lbs GVW pulling a 20,000-lb loaded livestock trailer clears the 26,001-lb threshold with room to spare — and the trailer’s GVWR exceeds 10,001 lbs — so a CDL would be required in that scenario unless a farm exemption applies.

The Farm Exemption

North Dakota provides a meaningful CDL exemption for farmers and their employees. Farm vehicle drivers operating a “covered farm vehicle” are exempt from CDL requirements when operating intrastate within ND and within a 150-air mile radius of their farm when crossing state lines. Farm vehicle drivers not meeting the definition of a “covered farm vehicle” are exempt within a 150-air mile radius of their farm when traveling intrastate. The drivers are exempt from CDL requirements, medical certificates, log books, and vehicle inspection records.

The exemption has limits, however. The CDL exemption does not allow the operation of double or triple trailers or the operation of truck-tractors by drivers under the age of 18.

Employment status matters too. If employed by a farmer, you can operate under the farm exemption and do not need a CDL. However, if you are employed by a custom combiner, a CDL is required. The same logic extends to for-hire livestock haulers: if you are hauling someone else’s animals for pay, the farm exemption almost certainly does not apply to you.

Reciprocity With Neighboring States

If you farm near the state border, you may qualify for cross-border CDL exemptions. North Dakota has reciprocity agreements for farm CDL exemptions with South Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, and Wyoming when within 150 air miles of the farm. However, North Dakota and South Dakota have a reciprocity agreement in which North Dakota will recognize a South Dakota farm vehicle operator; however, the SD operator has to abide by the same laws as North Dakota farmers. Therefore, a SD farm vehicle operator can haul doubles or triple trailers in SD, but they cannot haul them in North Dakota without the proper endorsements required in the state.

Pro Tip: The FMCSA defines a farmer for exemption purposes as “any person who operates a farm or is directly involved in the cultivation of land, crops, or livestock which are owned by that person or are under the direct control of that person.” If your situation is ambiguous, contact the ND Highway Patrol before hauling.

For related licensing and animal law context in neighboring states, see our guides on leash laws in North Dakota, leash laws in South Dakota, and leash laws in North Carolina.

Passing Roadside Inspections With a Livestock Trailer in North Dakota

Roadside inspections are a routine part of commercial livestock hauling in North Dakota, and even farm-exempt operators can be stopped for safety checks. Understanding what inspectors look for — and preparing accordingly — is the most practical thing you can do to avoid delays and citations.

What Inspectors Examine

North Dakota Highway Patrol Motor Carrier Operations conducts roadside inspections using federal Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) standards. For a livestock trailer combination, the inspection typically covers:

• Brake performance and condition on both the tow vehicle and trailer
• Lighting — taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and marker lights
• Tire condition, inflation, and tread depth
• Coupling devices — fifth wheel, pintle hooks, safety chains
• Trailer floor and structural integrity
• Load securement — gates, latches, and animal containment
• Driver documentation — license, registration, and applicable paperwork

Documentation You Should Carry

Having your paperwork organized before an inspection begins makes the process faster and demonstrates professionalism to the inspector. At minimum, carry:

1. Current trailer registration
2. Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) for any imported animals
3. Importation permit number if required for the species being transported
4. Your driver license (CDL if required for your combination weight)
5. Medical examiner certificate if operating a commercial motor vehicle
6. Any oversize or overweight permits if your rig exceeds legal dimensions
7. A copy of any active executive order if hauling under an emergency waiver

On the medical certificate point, note that effective April 21, 2025, per federal regulation, the North Dakota Driver License Division will no longer accept medical examiner certificates in paper form — nationally certified medical examiners are now required to upload the certificate electronically.

Spring Road Restrictions

One of the most commonly overlooked compliance issues for North Dakota livestock haulers is spring road restrictions. During the freeze-thaw season, the state and individual counties post reduced weight limits on roads that cannot support standard GVW loads. Hauling over posted spring restriction limits — even if your combination is otherwise legal — can result in significant fines. Check the NDDOT and county road authority postings before scheduling any heavy hauls between roughly February and May.

Important Note: Spring road restrictions apply to state routes. County roads may carry even stricter posted limits. Always check both before routing a heavy livestock haul in late winter or early spring.

Out-of-Service Criteria

If an inspector places your vehicle or trailer out of service, you cannot move until the defect is corrected. Common out-of-service triggers on livestock trailers include inoperable brakes, broken trailer floor sections, non-functional lights, and missing or broken safety chains. Addressing these items before every haul — not just before inspections — is the right approach both legally and from an animal welfare standpoint.

For more on how North Dakota regulates animals and owners more broadly, explore our resources on pit bull laws in North Dakota, kennel zoning laws in North Dakota, and hedgehog ownership laws in North Dakota. If you haul across state lines into the Carolinas, our guides on pet laws in North Carolina and rooster crowing laws in North Carolina offer useful regional context.

Conclusion

Transporting livestock legally in North Dakota requires attention to four overlapping areas: your trailer’s registration and animal documentation, the structural and safety condition of the trailer itself, dimensional and weight compliance on the road, and your driver license status relative to your combination weight and farm relationship.

The good news is that North Dakota’s farm exemptions are genuinely practical for most owner-operators hauling their own animals within the state. The key is knowing exactly where those exemptions end — particularly around CDL thresholds, double-trailer prohibitions, and the 150-air-mile radius rule. Keep your paperwork current, inspect your trailer before every haul, and verify CVI and importation permit requirements any time you bring animals across state lines. Doing so keeps you legal, keeps your animals safe, and keeps you moving.