In the US, you must apply for a Vehicle Identification number (VIN) when you register your vehicle. You will need to provide proof of identity. Some states will require an inspection. Some states require all trailers to be titled while others may not register trailers at all. Others will only require titles on vehicles above a certain weight. For example, in Texas, you do not need to title or register a trailer weighing under 4,000 pounds (1,800 kg). In New York, however, all homemade trailers need to be titled.
In Canada, each province has their own office, services, and websites for registering vehicles. Your best option is to call the same office where you registered your car or applied for your driver’s license. For example, in British Columbia, you will register and insure your trailer through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia. They will consider your trailer a “ubilt” vehicle. Go here for more information: http://www. icbc. com/vehicle-registration/specialty-vehicles/Pages/Ubilt-vehicles-and-trailers. aspx.
The general standards for homemade trailers can be found here: https://www. infrastructure. gov. au/vehicles/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb1/index. aspx. The weight of your trailer will determine fees. A light vehicle is any trailer under 4,500 kilograms (9,900 lb). Heavy vehicles are over this weight.
You can go here to find the forms and guidelines for trailers: https://www. gov. uk/government/publications/individual-vehicle-approval-iva-it.
Cat Scales and Penske both offer weight scales around the US. You can visit their websites to find a location near you. You will be given a weight slip when you get your trailer weighed. Save this, as you will need to submit it with your application. The weight of your trailer may determine which forms you fill out, how much you pay in fees, and whether you need to title your trailer.
Add up the cost of materials before you fill out any forms, as you may need to state the total value of the trailer on the application. In the US, you can bring original receipts with you to the DMV. In most cases, they will return the receipts to you when they are done.
Some areas will require the safety inspection to be done by DMV or transport officials. In this case, call your local transport officials to set up an appointment. Some areas will let you get an inspection done at approved garages, body shops, or even gas stations. In this case, call your local DMV or other motor vehicle authority to locate the most convenient safety inspector for you.
Some US states may have a special form for this called a Statement of Ownership. In this case, use the form to report this information. Some places, such as British Columbia, may just require a summary of the components that you used. Break this list down into tires, axles, frame, deck, and rim. [8] X Research source You may need to pay the notary a small fee to have it notarized. While this can vary, it is usually around $25-40 USD. Some banks offer this service for free to their clients.
Trailer insurance may be required for some US states and Canadian provinces. It may be optional elsewhere.
Application for Title and Registration of a Vehicle Sales tax exemption Proof of ownership Application for a VIN A special form for homemade trailers
Your driver’s license The weight slip of the trailer Bills of materials used to make the trailer The notarized description of the trailer Proof of car and trailer insurance Completed applications and forms A proof of address, including a driver’s license, payroll stub, utility bill, or voter registration card
Typically, trailer registration fees are between $20-40 USD. Plate fees may be anywhere from $20-200. These fees can vary based on the weight of the trailer and the state of registration.
