Every automobile manufactured since the 2000s comes with the anti-lock braking System ABS which helps to prevent skidding on slippery surfaces during emergency braking.
The essence of a DOT violation is to ensure that the United States maintains a transportation system that is safe, efficient, and accessible. The violation comes with fines, written warnings, and suspension. Therefore, is a trailer ABS light a DOT Violation?
Yes, a trailer ABS light is a DOT violation if the ABS lamp continues to illuminate while the trailer is in motion. If a trailer ABS light continues to illuminate on a traffic stop, it’s clearly a DOT violation and you will be ticketed by the law enforcement agency.
Is a Trailer ABS Light a DOT Violation?
Having an ABS warning light on your dashboard is not a DOT violation, the light only signifies that something is wrong with your ABS system that needs to be fixed.
However, having the ABS light illuminating from the trailer ABS lamp is a DOT violation especially when the light continues to illuminate on a traffic stop. Any law enforcement agency within the area can give you a ticket for leaving the light on.
One thing with the braking system is that it has several out-of-service criteria. Having abs that malfunction is a serious offense that attracts a fine. However, there are several things you can do to avoid being put out of service for an ABS light on your trailer.
- Having an ABS system that works correctly is the first thing to do. You can achieve this by inspecting your abs system regularly to ensure they work the way they are supposed to.
- You should ensure that your braking system works the way it should. Always inspect your trailers for any exposed wires and inspect your brakes regularly.
Is the ABS Light Supposed to be on a Trailer?
Yes, the trailer is supposed to have an ABS light but the light should not be on through the ABS lamp located on the exterior of the trailer, near the red side marker lamp on the left rear side (‘trailer-mounted’).
The United States and Canada motor vehicle safety standards have made it mandatory that all air-braked trucks and tractors manufactured on or after March 1, 2001, should have an indicator light that indicates the status of the ABS to where the driver can see it. This requirement is also extended to trucks that are made to tow air-braked trailers and dollies.
The requirement mandates manufacturers to add what can notify the driver about the status of the ABS. If the ABS begins to malfunction, the driver should be able to be notified while seated on the trailer.
Moreover, since both the power unit and the towed units must communicate for this feature to work properly, all units in the combination must have been manufactured with this capability.
How Do I Know if My Trailer ABS Light is Working?
You will know whether your ABS is working or not from the ABS light on the instrument cluster as well as the ABS lamp located at the exterior or the trailer.
Whenever you turn your trailer on, you ABS light on the instrument cluster will come on and go off after the trailer is fully started.
During this time, the trailer will perform a self-diagnostic test in its system to ensure all functions are working well, if peradventure something is wrong with your ABS system, the ABS light on the instrument cluster will remain on after the self-diagnostic is done.
Therefore, if the ABS light comes on and goes off after the self-diagnostics are done, then the ABS is working well.
Please note that there are exceptions to this. There are some trailers manufactured with the ability of not supplying constant light to the abs. These kinds of trailers may have their ABS light come on anytime the driver applies the brakes.
But normally, the ABS light should come and go off when the trailer is fully started to show it’s in good condition.
How Does a Trailer ABS Get Power?
The trailer ABS gets power from a circuit that provides continuous electrical power to the ABS.
However, if the ABS does not get a continuous power circuit, it will rely on any time the driver applies the brakes to get power hence why the ABS light of trailers made before 2001 comes on anytime the brakes are applied.
Conclusion
The trailer ABS light illuminating from the ABS lamp located at the exterior of the trailer is a DOT violation which will attract a fine if you’re ticketed by a law enforcement agency. Always check your ABS system regularly to be sure it’s in good condition to avoid getting ticketed.
