Towing a car with a tow strap is legal in most U.S. states, but it comes with specific requirements for strap length, driving speed, lighting, safety chains, and whether a licensed driver must be sitting in the towed vehicle. Skipping any of those requirements turns a legal tow into a ticketable offense.
Most people assume that if you own both vehicles and stay off the highway, anything goes. That is not how towing law works. States regulate the equipment, the distance, the speed, and in many cases, who must be behind the wheel of the towed car.
The real legal danger is not the traffic ticket. It is the civil liability if the towed car rolls into another vehicle or injures a pedestrian. When that happens, the person who set up the tow strap arrangement carries serious exposure.
This guide covers every angle: state-by-state rules, strap length limits, highway restrictions, driver requirements, liability, and penalties.
Is It Legal to Tow a Car With a Tow Strap
Towing a car with a tow strap is legal in most U.S. states when done in compliance with the state’s specific towing regulations, which typically cover strap length, speed, safety chains, and brake requirements for the towed vehicle.
No federal law specifically prohibits private individuals from using a tow strap to pull another vehicle. Towing regulation is left almost entirely to state law. This means the answer varies, sometimes significantly, depending on where you are driving.
The broadest legal principle across all states is this: the towed vehicle must not create a hazard for other drivers. A tow strap that is too long, a towed car with no functioning brakes, or a setup with no safety chain all create hazards. Each of those conditions makes the otherwise-legal tow an illegal one.
Quick Facts:
- Tow straps are legal in most states for private non-commercial towing
- State laws control strap length, speed limits, safety chain requirements, and driver rules
- No uniform federal standard applies to private vehicle towing with straps
- A tow strap alone without a safety chain is illegal in many states
- Commercial towing operations face additional FMCSA regulations
| Legal Element | Most States Require | Some States Require |
|---|---|---|
| Safety chain | Yes | Yes |
| Functioning brakes on towed vehicle | If over certain weight | Universally for heavier vehicles |
| Licensed driver in towed vehicle | Varies | Required in several states |
| Hazard lights on towed vehicle | Usually yes | Yes, especially on highways |
| Maximum strap length | 15 feet in many states | Up to 20 feet in some |
The tow strap itself is not the legal issue. What surrounds it is. Meet the equipment and driver requirements for your state, and using a tow strap is perfectly legal. Miss one of those requirements, and you are looking at an equipment violation or a moving violation, depending on what went wrong.
Is It Illegal to Tow a Car With a Tow Strap
Towing a car with a tow strap is not automatically illegal, but it becomes illegal when the tow violates specific state requirements for equipment, safety, or driver qualifications. The illegality comes from how the tow is done, not from using a strap itself.
States that permit tow strap towing typically impose conditions. The most common conditions are: the distance between the two vehicles cannot exceed a specified maximum, the towed vehicle must have functioning brakes if it is above a certain weight, the towed vehicle must display hazard lights or be equipped with flags visible to drivers behind it, and a safety chain must be used in addition to the strap.
A tow strap alone, without a safety chain, is illegal in many states. The strap is a primary towing connection, but safety chains exist as a backup in case the strap breaks or disconnects. In states like California, Texas, and Florida, using a strap without a safety chain violates the state vehicle code.
What makes a tow strap tow illegal:
- No safety chain in addition to the strap
- Distance between vehicles exceeds state maximum
- No driver in towed vehicle when state law requires one
- Towed vehicle lacks functioning brakes above required weight threshold
- Driving above the state-mandated maximum speed for towed vehicles
- No hazard lights or flags on towed vehicle on public roads
- Using a damaged, frayed, or underrated strap
The safety chain requirement is the most commonly violated rule. Many people grab a tow strap and hook up the two vehicles without adding a separate chain as a backup. That omission is a specific equipment violation in the majority of states.
Is It Illegal to Pull a Car With a Tow Strap
Pulling a car with a tow strap is not illegal by default in the United States, but several specific conditions make it illegal in practice for most DIY tow situations. The most common violations are missing a safety chain, exceeding the legal separation distance, and driving above the allowed speed.
The phrase “pull a car with a tow strap” describes exactly what this article covers: one private vehicle pulling another using a flexible strap as the connection. Courts and traffic codes treat this identically to other tow strap terminology. The law does not distinguish between “pulling” and “towing” when the setup is the same.
Think of it like a leash on a dog. A leash is legal. A leash that is 30 feet long and lets the dog run into traffic is not. The tow strap is the leash. The legal limits on its length, the speed you travel, and the safety backup required are what determine whether your setup is compliant.
Common scenarios where pulling with a tow strap becomes illegal:
| Scenario | Why It Is Illegal | States Most Likely to Cite |
|---|---|---|
| No safety chain alongside strap | Equipment violation | CA, TX, FL, NY, most others |
| Strap longer than 15 feet | Exceeds maximum distance rule | Most states |
| Driver in lead car, nobody in towed car | Driver requirement violation | Several states including NY |
| Driving 55 mph on highway while towing | Exceeds towing speed limit | Most states |
| Towed vehicle has no hazard lights | Equipment/safety violation | Most states on public roads |
The liability question kicks in hard here. Even if you avoid a ticket, a setup that violates state towing law creates a presumption of negligence if an accident happens. That presumption makes civil liability much harder to defend against.
Key Takeaway: Pulling a car with a tow strap is legal in most states but becomes illegal the moment the setup violates state requirements for safety chains, strap length, speed, driver presence, or vehicle lighting.
Is It Legal to Pull a Car With a Tow Strap
Yes, it is legal to pull a car with a tow strap in most U.S. states when the setup complies with state vehicle codes governing towed vehicles. The legal permission is conditioned on meeting specific safety and equipment standards.
Most state vehicle codes include a section specifically addressing the towing of disabled or non-motorized vehicles by private parties. These sections permit tow strap or similar flexible connection towing under defined conditions. The conditions vary by state but cluster around the same core requirements: strap or connection length, safety chain, brake capability, and speed.
Pulling a car with a tow strap on a private road or private property is generally not subject to public road towing laws. The state regulations that govern tow strap towing apply to public roads and highways. On private property, the towing is between you and your liability insurer, not the state.
States with explicit tow strap permission in their vehicle codes:
- Texas: Texas Transportation Code 545.410 addresses towing connections
- California: California Vehicle Code 29004 covers towing equipment requirements
- Florida: Florida Statute 316.2952 addresses towing safety chains
- Virginia: Virginia Code 46.2-1116 covers towing connection requirements
- Ohio: Ohio Rev. Code 4513.32 addresses towing equipment
Each of these statutes permits non-commercial towing using a flexible connection like a strap, subject to the specific requirements those statutes impose. The permission is real; it is the surrounding conditions that most drivers overlook.
Tow Strap Laws by State
Tow strap laws vary significantly by state in four key areas: maximum connection length between vehicles, required speed limits when towing, whether a driver must be present in the towed vehicle, and whether a safety chain is mandated alongside the strap.
No two states have identical towing regulations. However, patterns emerge. Most states with explicit towing rules cluster around a 15-foot maximum connection length, a 25 to 35 mph speed limit reduction when towing, and a mandatory safety chain requirement. States with stricter rules tend to be those with higher highway traffic volume.
State-by-state tow strap key rules:
| State | Max Connection Length | Driver in Towed Car | Speed Limit | Safety Chain Required | Key Statute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 15 feet | Not required | Posted limit | Yes | CA Veh. Code 29004 |
| Texas | 15 feet | Not specified statewide | Posted limit | Yes | TX Transp. Code 545.410 |
| Florida | 15 feet | Required if brakes inoperable | Posted limit | Yes | FL Stat. 316.2952 |
| New York | 15 feet | Required | Posted limit | Yes | NY VTL 1111 |
| Virginia | 15 feet | Required | Posted limit | Yes | VA Code 46.2-1116 |
| Ohio | Not specified | Not required | Posted limit | Yes | OH Rev. Code 4513.32 |
| Georgia | 15 feet | Not required | Posted limit | Yes | GA Code 40-8-77 |
The 15-foot maximum is the most common standard. In practice, many tow straps sold commercially are 20 feet or longer. Using a 20-foot strap in a state with a 15-foot maximum is an equipment violation even if everything else about the tow is compliant.
Bold callout: New York requires a licensed driver in the towed vehicle at all times on a public road. Violating this rule is a moving violation under NY VTL, not just an equipment infraction. It carries a fine and points on the lead driver’s license.
Tow Strap Legal Requirements
The legal requirements for towing a car with a tow strap include a maximum connection distance between vehicles, a functioning safety chain as a backup, operational hazard lights or flags on the towed vehicle, adequate brakes on the towed vehicle above certain weight thresholds, and compliance with any driver presence requirements.
These requirements are not optional suggestions. Each one is a legal standard enforced by state traffic law. A police officer who observes a tow strap setup that violates any of these requirements has grounds to issue a citation to the driver of the towing vehicle, the driver of the towed vehicle if one is present, or both.
The safety chain requirement deserves emphasis because it is the most frequently missed. A safety chain is a separate metal chain that attaches the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle independently of the strap. If the strap breaks or the attachment point fails, the chain prevents the towed vehicle from separating completely from the lead vehicle.
Complete tow strap legal requirements checklist:
- Maximum strap or connection length: typically 15 feet between bumpers
- Safety chain: required in addition to the strap in most states
- Towed vehicle brakes: must be functional if vehicle exceeds certain weight
- Hazard lights: must be operational and activated on towed vehicle
- Flags or markers: required on towed vehicle in some states if lights are inoperable
- Driver presence: required in towed vehicle in several states on public roads
- Speed compliance: must not exceed posted limits and often must reduce speed
- Strap condition: damaged or frayed straps are illegal equipment
A tow strap that has been cut, burned, frayed, or otherwise compromised is an illegal piece of towing equipment in states that specify equipment condition standards. Using a worn strap that then fails and causes an accident creates both a traffic citation and civil liability exposure.
Tow Strap Maximum Length Legal
The maximum legal tow strap length in most U.S. states is 15 feet measured from the rear of the towing vehicle to the front of the towed vehicle. Some states measure from connection point to connection point rather than bumper to bumper.
The 15-foot standard comes from the Uniform Vehicle Code, which many states have adopted as the basis for their towing regulations. The idea behind the limit is straightforward: a longer connection gives the towed vehicle more room to swing, drift, or jackknife, creating hazards for vehicles in adjacent lanes and for the towed vehicle’s driver.
Many commercial tow straps are sold in 20-foot or 30-foot lengths. A 20-foot strap is longer than what most states permit between the vehicle connection points. Buying a commercially available strap does not mean that strap is legal to use at its full length on public roads.
Tow connection length rules:
| State | Maximum Legal Connection | Measurement Method | Statute Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 15 feet | Bumper to bumper | CA Veh. Code 29004 |
| Texas | 15 feet | Connection to connection | TX Transp. Code 545.410 |
| Florida | 15 feet | Bumper to bumper | FL Stat. 316.2952 |
| Virginia | 15 feet | Connection to connection | VA Code 46.2-1116 |
| New York | 15 feet | Connection to connection | NY VTL |
| Georgia | 15 feet | Bumper to bumper | GA Code 40-8-77 |
Bold callout: Using a 20-foot tow strap at full length in California, Texas, or Florida violates the 15-foot maximum connection rule. The violation is an equipment infraction that can be cited regardless of whether an accident occurs. Folding or doubling the strap to reduce the effective length is one way drivers address this.
Some states do not specify a numeric maximum but instead require that the connection not be so long as to create a safety hazard. These open-ended standards give officers discretion, which can work against you if your setup looks unsafe even if you believed it was compliant.
Key Takeaway: The legal maximum connection length for a tow strap is 15 feet in most states, and using a commercially sold longer strap at full length violates state law even if the strap itself is otherwise in good condition.
Tow Strap Speed Limit Laws
Most states do not set a specific lower speed limit for tow strap towing, but several states require towing vehicles to travel at a reduced speed, typically 25 to 35 mph below posted limits, and some impose absolute maximums for towing configurations.
The speed question is more nuanced than most people expect. In states without a specific towing speed limit, the standard posted limits technically apply, but driving at 65 mph while towing another vehicle on a flexible strap is legally problematic in several ways.
At high speeds, a flexible strap connection creates significant sway and instability in the towed vehicle. If the towed vehicle sways into another lane and causes an accident, the absence of a specific speed limit does not protect the towing driver from negligence claims. Courts evaluate whether the speed was reasonable given the circumstances.
Speed considerations for tow strap towing:
- Most states: posted speed limits apply unless otherwise specified
- California: no specific towing speed reduction for private non-commercial towing, but driving at unsafe speeds is a separate violation
- Texas: unsafe speed violations apply to towing situations
- Some states: impose 25 mph maximum on tow strap towing configurations
- Highway driving: generally not recommended due to speed differentials and sway risk
Bold callout: Even in states with no specific tow strap speed limit, driving faster than 35 mph with a flexible tow strap connection creates real liability exposure. Most automotive safety engineers advise 25 mph or less as the safe maximum for strap towing. Courts look at what was reasonable, not just what the statute says.
The safest legal approach: stay well below posted highway speeds, use residential or secondary roads where possible, and keep the strap taut to minimize the sway that creates accidents at higher speeds.
Can You Tow a Car With a Tow Strap on the Highway
Towing a car with a tow strap on the highway is legal in most states if all state towing requirements are met, but it is generally discouraged and prohibited in some states specifically on interstate highways or roads with posted speed limits above a certain threshold.
The highway presents the most dangerous environment for tow strap towing because speed differentials between the towed vehicle and surrounding traffic create serious hazard conditions. At 65 mph, if the towed vehicle sways even slightly, a lane change by an adjacent driver can cause a multi-vehicle accident.
Some states specifically prohibit tow strap or flexible connection towing on roads above certain speed limits. Others allow it on any public road but require specific equipment upgrades for higher-speed roads, such as functioning brakes on the towed vehicle.
Highway tow strap considerations by state type:
| Road Type | Legal Status | Key Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Residential streets | Legal in most states | Strap length, safety chain, hazard lights |
| Secondary state roads | Legal in most states | Same plus speed compliance |
| State highways | Legal with compliance in most states | Brakes on towed vehicle often required |
| Interstate highways | Prohibited or restricted in some states | Check state law before attempting |
California, for example, allows tow strap towing on most roads but does not specifically restrict it to non-highway routes. Texas similarly permits it on most public roads with compliance. New York restricts flexible connection towing more broadly and has stricter operator requirements.
Bold callout: The FMCSA regulations that govern commercial towing operations require rigid tow bars rather than flexible connections for many commercial towing situations on highways. While these rules apply to commercial operators, not private individuals, they signal the safety concerns that private tow strap use on highways raises.
Do You Need a Driver in a Towed Car
Whether you need a driver in a towed car depends on the state. Several states, including New York, Virginia, and others, require a licensed driver to be seated in the towed vehicle and in control of its steering and brakes whenever it is being towed on a public road.
This is one of the most widely unknown towing rules. Many people hook up a tow strap, have the owner of the broken car sit in the passenger seat of the tow vehicle, and drive off. In states with a driver-in-towed-vehicle requirement, that setup is a traffic violation.
The requirement exists for good reason. A towed vehicle with nobody at the wheel cannot brake, steer around obstacles, or respond to emergencies. If the strap breaks and the towed vehicle rolls freely, there is nobody to control it.
Driver in towed vehicle requirements by state:
| State | Driver Required in Towed Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New York | Yes | Moving violation if absent |
| Virginia | Yes | Required for all public road towing |
| Florida | Yes, if brakes inoperable | Conditional requirement |
| Texas | Not specified statewide | Local ordinances may vary |
| California | Not required | But towed vehicle must have brakes |
| Ohio | Not required | Safety chain and brakes required |
In states that require a driver in the towed vehicle, that driver must be a licensed driver, not a passenger who happens to sit at the wheel. They must also be capable of operating the towed vehicle’s steering and brakes. If the towed vehicle has no power steering or power brakes because the engine is off, the driver must be able to physically operate those systems manually.
Is It Legal to Tow a Car Without a Driver Inside
Towing a car without a driver inside is legal in most U.S. states, but it is specifically prohibited in New York, Virginia, and several other states that require an operator in the towed vehicle on public roads. Where it is legal, the towed vehicle must still meet all equipment requirements.
The states that permit driverless towing via flexible strap generally impose compensating requirements. California requires functioning brakes on the towed vehicle to ensure it can stop independently if the connection fails. Ohio requires the safety chain and proper lighting to compensate for the absence of an active driver.
States without a driver requirement are not throwing safety out the window. They are substituting braking and equipment requirements for the presence of an active operator. In theory, a properly equipped towed vehicle with functioning brakes, a taut strap, and a safety chain can be safely controlled by the lead vehicle’s driver with sufficient clearance ahead.
Driverless tow compliance in permitting states:
- Functioning brakes on towed vehicle are typically required
- Safety chain must be attached and functional
- Hazard lights must be operational and activated
- Strap must be kept taut to minimize independent movement
- Speed must be low enough to allow safe stopping
The practical reality is that driverless towing on a strap is harder to do safely than most people expect. The towed vehicle tends to sway, brake check the lead vehicle, and respond unpredictably to road irregularities. Even where it is legal, it creates significant liability exposure if something goes wrong.
Key Takeaway: Whether a driver is required in the towed vehicle is one of the most variable rules across states, and driving in New York, Virginia, or other requiring states without a driver in the towed car is a moving violation regardless of how well-equipped the tow setup is.
Tow Strap vs Tow Bar Which Is Legal
Both tow straps and rigid tow bars are legal for private towing in most U.S. states, but they are subject to different legal requirements, and some states or road types may require a rigid connection rather than a flexible one in certain circumstances.
A tow strap is a flexible connection between two vehicles, typically made of nylon webbing or polyester. A rigid tow bar is a metal frame that maintains a fixed distance between the two vehicles and allows the towed vehicle to be steered more predictably. The legal treatment of these two methods differs in meaningful ways.
Rigid tow bars generally face fewer legal restrictions than flexible straps. They are more predictable, maintain consistent spacing, and reduce sway. For this reason, commercial towing operations and some state regulations favor rigid connections for highway towing.
Tow strap vs rigid tow bar legal comparison:
| Feature | Tow Strap | Rigid Tow Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Legal for private towing | Yes, most states | Yes, most states |
| Safety chain required | Yes, most states | Usually not, bar serves this function |
| Maximum connection length rule | Typically 15 feet | Typically 15 feet |
| Sway/handling risk | Higher | Lower |
| Highway suitability | Lower | Higher |
| Commercial use | Limited; often requires rigid | Required in many commercial contexts |
| Cost | Low | Higher |
For short distances on low-speed roads, a tow strap is a legal and practical option. For longer distances or highway driving, a rigid tow bar is both safer and less likely to trigger the legal requirements that strap towing imposes, particularly around driver presence and brake requirements.
Liability for Towing a Car With a Strap
The person who sets up and operates a tow strap arrangement is potentially liable for all property damage and personal injury caused by the towed vehicle while it is under tow, if the tow setup was negligently done or violated state towing laws.
This is the most serious legal risk that nobody talks about when discussing tow straps. The traffic ticket for an equipment violation is minor compared to the civil lawsuit that follows a tow strap accident. If the towed vehicle breaks free, swings into oncoming traffic, or causes a rear-end collision, the person who set up the tow faces negligence claims from every injured party.
Negligence in towing is established by showing that the towing driver failed to meet the standard of care required for towing on public roads. If the tow violated any state equipment or operator requirement, that violation is evidence of negligence per se, a legal standard that eliminates the need to prove unreasonableness separately.
Liability scenarios in tow strap accidents:
| Accident Type | Primary Liable Party | Legal Theory |
|---|---|---|
| Strap breaks, towed car hits another vehicle | Lead vehicle driver | Negligence; equipment failure |
| Towed car sways, hits adjacent vehicle | Lead vehicle driver | Negligence; speed or setup |
| Towed car has no driver, rolls into pedestrian | Lead vehicle driver | Negligence per se if driver required |
| Towed car’s brakes fail to stop it | Lead vehicle driver | Negligence; failure to ensure brakes |
| Strap too long, towed car occupies adjacent lane | Lead vehicle driver | Negligence per se; equipment violation |
Auto insurance policies vary significantly in how they cover towing-related accidents. Many standard personal auto policies do not cover accidents that occur while improperly towing another vehicle. An accident caused by a tow setup that violated state law may be excluded from coverage entirely.
Penalty for Illegal Towing With a Strap
Penalties for illegal tow strap towing range from equipment violation fines of $50 to $250 in most states up to moving violation fines of $150 to $500 or more in states with stricter towing rules. Civil liability from accidents caused by illegal setups is a separate and potentially much larger consequence.
Traffic penalties for tow strap violations are generally classified in two ways. Equipment violations, such as no safety chain or exceeding the maximum strap length, are typically lower-fine non-moving violations in most states. Driver violations, such as towing without a required driver in the towed vehicle or driving at unsafe speeds, are moving violations that carry higher fines and license points.
Penalty range for common tow strap violations:
| Violation Type | Classification | Typical Fine Range | License Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| No safety chain | Equipment violation | $50 to $150 | None in most states |
| Strap length exceeds maximum | Equipment violation | $75 to $200 | None in most states |
| No driver in towed vehicle (where required) | Moving violation | $150 to $400 | 2 to 3 points |
| Unsafe speed while towing | Moving violation | $150 to $500+ | 2 to 4 points |
| No hazard lights on towed vehicle | Equipment violation | $50 to $150 | None in most states |
| Combined violations | Multiple citations | Cumulative | Cumulative |
Bold callout: In California, an equipment violation for improper towing equipment carries a base fine of $25 to $100, but after penalty assessments, surcharges, and court fees, the total typically reaches $200 to $400. Multiple equipment violations from a single traffic stop generate separate fines for each infraction.
Beyond the traffic ticket, the real financial consequence of illegal tow strap towing is the civil lawsuit. An accident caused by an improper tow setup can generate six-figure civil judgments. Insurance coverage for improperly performed towing is often excluded, meaning those judgments come out of personal assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tow strap legal on the highway in all states?
Tow strap towing on highways is not explicitly prohibited in all states, but several states restrict or discourage it due to safety concerns at highway speeds.
Most states require additional safety measures for highway towing, including functioning brakes on the towed vehicle and maintaining the 15-foot maximum connection distance.
Driving at posted highway speeds with a flexible tow strap connection creates significant sway and instability, and traveling at unsafe speeds for conditions is a separate violation even where highway towing is permitted.
The safest legal approach is to use secondary roads at reduced speeds rather than highways when towing with a strap.
Does someone have to sit in the towed car while it is being pulled?
Whether a driver must be in the towed car depends entirely on which state you are in.
New York, Virginia, and several other states require a licensed driver to be seated in the towed vehicle and operating its steering and brakes at all times on a public road.
In states like California, Ohio, and Texas, no driver is specifically required in the towed vehicle as long as the vehicle meets all equipment requirements including functional brakes and lighting.
Towing without a required driver is a moving violation in states that mandate it, carrying fines and license points on the lead driver’s record.
What is the maximum legal length for a tow strap between two vehicles?
The maximum legal connection length between two vehicles being towed with a strap is 15 feet in most states, measured from the rear of the towing vehicle to the front of the towed vehicle.
This 15-foot standard comes from the Uniform Vehicle Code adopted in various forms by most states.
Commercially sold tow straps often come in 20-foot or longer lengths, but using them at full length on public roads violates state law in most jurisdictions.
Folding or doubling the strap to reduce the effective connection length to 15 feet is one way to comply when your strap is longer than the legal maximum.
What happens if the towed car causes an accident while on a tow strap?
The driver of the towing vehicle is potentially liable for all damages and injuries caused by the towed vehicle during a tow strap operation.
If the tow setup violated any state equipment or operator requirement, those violations constitute negligence per se, making it significantly easier for injured parties to win a civil lawsuit.
Standard auto insurance policies may not cover accidents caused while improperly towing another vehicle, leaving the towing driver personally exposed to judgments.
Civil damages in towing accidents can include property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering for all injured parties.
Is towing with a rope the same as towing with a strap legally?
Towing with a rope is generally treated the same as towing with a strap under most state vehicle codes, as both are classified as flexible towing connections subject to the same length, safety chain, and equipment rules.
Some state statutes specifically use the word “chain, rope, cable, or strap” when defining towing connections, explicitly including ropes in the same regulatory framework as straps.
A rope that does not meet the rated load capacity for the towed vehicle’s weight creates both a safety risk and a legal equipment violation in states that specify minimum load ratings for towing connections.
The safety chain requirement applies equally to rope towing; a rope alone without a separate safety chain violates state law in most jurisdictions.
Closing
Tow strap towing is legal in most states, but the number of specific requirements that surround that permission is larger than most drivers expect. The safety chain, the 15-foot limit, the driver question, and the speed rules are all real laws with real penalties.
Bookmark this guide before any DIY tow situation. The rules are state-specific, enforcement is real, and the civil liability from an accident during an improperly set-up tow can far exceed any savings from avoiding a professional tow truck.
