‘In-Tow’ Caravans Face Increased Scrutiny

December 29, 2025 – Law enforcement officials are drawing attention to the dangers and legal issues surrounding vehicles towing other vehicles on Texas roadways after a recent multi-vehicle enforcement action highlighted broader concerns.

On Dec. 21 in Goliad County, sheriff’s deputies stopped a caravan of more than 20 vehicles traveling without license plates, ultimately impounding 20 of them for lacking proper registration — leaving just one vehicle legal, authorities said. The sheriff noted that the cars appeared to be headed south, and were suspected of being bought at auctions to be driven toward Mexico, where they could be resold or otherwise moved across the border. Officials told reporters that many vehicles in these “in-tow caravans” lack insurance and valid registration, posing safety and legal risks on Texas highways.

Under Texas law, a passenger car with an unloaded weight of less than 2,500 pounds may not tow more than one other vehicle at a time; larger vehicles may tow just one other vehicle despite certain exemptions, meaning configurations with a car towing two other cars in tandem typically violate state size and weight rules unless using an approved trailer.

All vehicles driven on public roads are also required to be properly registered and insured under state Transportation Code and Department of Public Safety rules. Temporary permits (such as a 72- or 144-hour permit) can sometimes be obtained for unregistered vehicles, especially when moving them for repair or sale, but failure to comply makes the vehicle subject to impoundment and fines.

Law enforcement urges anyone moving multiple vehicles — especially near the border — to use approved trailers and follow registration and insurance requirements to avoid impoundment and endangering other motorists.