Getting license for trailer

[MESSMAKER]

D.O.T. has gotten serious on utility trailers in the state. Up until now, almost nobody had a license. Not anymore. My problem is I bought my trailer with cash off craigslist several years ago. I got trailer and no paperwork. I now need to get things legal. They are telling me to apply for vin#(3 weeks) and then apply for rebuilt title(2-3 weeks), then I can bring in the title and get a license. That is going to keep me off the road for maybe 6 weeks. That will hurt. Can I just buy a smaller junky trailer and scrap it and use the paperwork. Anyone have any tips.

 

[radioman]

lincense? you mean title? or registration? you cant get a old trailer and try to cheat. the problem is weight, vin number already assigned to trailer.

 

[KYErik]

Messmaker,

I didn't know there was a requirement for KY trailers to be licensed (mine are not) and I even run them on the interstate occasionally. Is this a new law or is it a large equipment trailer? Like you, I have no titles for mine...

 

[Tomtint]

I had the same issue in Mass, I made o e call to Maine and 4 days later I had my 5 year tag for $90.00. I have 2 more trailers that will have Maine plates come renewal time in November.

 

[MESSMAKER]

lincense? you mean title? or registration? you cant get a old trailer and try to cheat. the problem is weight, vin number already assigned to trailer.

I need a plate. To get a plate, you need registration. In order to get that you need a title. In order to get a title , you must have a vehicle ID#. This makes my head hurt.:confused2:

 

[Tomtint]

If your trailer weighs less than 3000 lbs empty, Maine will register a dual axle up to 9999 GVW as homemade. No title,no previous reg no vin.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Yep its going to cost you. Get a bill of sale and go from there.

Chris

 

[studor]

Ask what they need to license a "homemade trailer" you may find it easier to say you built it than bought it. Here in Ontario that is certainly the case - just a thought

 

[Smallplot]

I need a plate. To get a plate, you need registration. In order to get that you need a title. In order to get a title , you must have a vehicle ID#. This makes my head hurt.:confused2:

The vehicle ID number is the VIN number. It should be stamped or scratched into a tag on the tongue somewhere if it is a manufactured trailer. In my state you have to license any trailer other than farm implements. Is this the same trailer in your avatar if so it does not look home made?

If you know who the original owner was you might apply for a lost title? Might need a bill of sale to provide proof of purchase but it might be worth checking into.

 

[Soundguy]

I need a plate. To get a plate, you need registration. In order to get that you need a title. In order to get a title , you must have a vehicle ID#. This makes my head hurt.:confused2:

in florida you can register as a homade trailer. that covers REAL homeade trailers, and other ones you have that have 'no paperwork'.

get them a weight slip, have an inspection at the tag office.. and have a vin number on the trailer. you can electropencil it on or have permanent sticker. can make yer own vin number .. not sure how it is in your state.. etc.

 

[QRTRHRS]

I need a plate. To get a plate, you need registration. In order to get that you need a title. In order to get a title , you must have a vehicle ID#. This makes my head hurt.:confused2:

Once you get over your initial headache, prepare for another when registration comes due and you get to pay your yearly luxery tax.

 

[MESSMAKER]

The vehicle ID number is the VIN number. It should be stamped or scratched into a tag on the tongue somewhere if it is a manufactured trailer. In my state you have to license any trailer other than farm implements. Is this the same trailer in your avatar if so it does not look home made?

If you know who the original owner was you might apply for a lost title? Might need a bill of sale to provide proof of purchase but it might be worth checking into.

It has no ID # so I guess it was a home made trailer. I have no Idea the name of the guy I bought it from. It has been almost a decade ago.

 

[lostcause]

It has no ID # so I guess it was a home made trailer. I have no Idea the name of the guy I bought it from. It has been almost a decade ago.

homemade is homemade. it doesn't matter who's home it was made in, so just say you made it 10 years ago yourself and are now applying for the vin number. there's no bill of sale required because you built it.

if it is commercially manufactured and already has a vin number, but you have no paperwork and no way of contacting the previous owner (let's assume they are deceased) there are always ways around it. i had to do it recently with an antique vehicle that has been sitting in a barn since the 80's. the last owners are no longer alive, so i had to supply the state with a notarized affidavit stating the manner how i came to acquire the vehicle and that was as good as a bill of sale to them. i paid the taxes and fees and walked away with a set of plates 30 minutes later.

 

[300UGUY]

I had a homemade trailer. I had to get a certified scale weight ticket for it, a safety inspection by a "Michigan police officer", and pay the state a few bucks. Here, we get a permanent plate, good for as long as you own the trailer.

 

[KY Gun Geek]

Messmaker,

I'm still not sure why you need a license plate (unless you are using this trailer for a business)

Here's something I pulled off the Bullit county KY clerks website:



"Trailer License Exemptions



Trailers that are privately owned and operated and meet the following criteria do not have to be licensed in Kentucky.

Used for the transportation of:

Boats
Luggage
Personal Effects
Farm products, farm supplies or farm equipment
All-terrain vehicles as defined in KRS 189.010(24)
Wildlife as defined in KRS 150.010(41) that the owner or operator of the trailer has obtained while hunting
Firearms or other supplies used in conjunction with hunting wildlife"

I'm wondering about this too - If you are a resident and traveling in the Commonwealth, you do not need to register and plate a trailer.

Now that doesn't mean an industrious cop in a surrounding state won't pull you over, and while he can't write you for no plate, he can sure find something else.

I plate mine because I do go out of state, and have been stopped (many times). Haven't had any problems in OH, IN, or TN, but I've done several hunting trips with horses out west, those cops don't usually understand that KY doesn't require a plate. Which means I get to sit there for 15 or 20 or 30 while someone at HQ makes the phone calls. I know this for a fact. :ashamed:

 

[chopped]

You might consider downloading the law pertaining to the plates and have copys to give to any police who question why there isnt a plate.
Save them the time and effort lol

 

[jpm1]

Register in Maine, its easy, very resonably priced and directions actually make sense especially for home made and used trailers. I just registered mine there, 5 years $90 bucks, in NYS it would have been over $250 dollars plus inspection charges. . .John

 

[chopped]

JPM your saying you dont have to be a resident of the state to register?

 

[tlbuser]

JPM your saying you dont have to be a resident of the state to register?

Nope, I use this place. Trailer Registrations for Individuals and Fleets Countrywide - MaineTrailerRegistrations.com