Vehicle Licensing Guide

Trailer Registration
VLIC-243

PURPOSE:

To provide DMV personnel with information and instructions on trailer registration.

BACKGROUND:

A trailer is considered a vehicle without motor power designed for carrying property or passengers wholly on its own structure and for being drawn by a motor vehicle, including tow dollies and converter gear. (Va. Code § 46.2-100)

Trailers can be registered annually, bi-annually or permanently. The fee for registration is based on the gross weight of the trailer, the registration period selected and all other fees that may be applicable to the transaction (refer to VLIC-200A).

For a trailer that has a gross weight of 4,000 pounds or less, the customer may choose a FULL-SIZED or a SMALL (motorcycle-sized) permanent license plate. This applies ONLY to permanent license plates for trailers with a gross weight of 4,000 POUNDS OR LESS.

Permanent License Plate for Trailer:

• Permanent registration is available for all private, for-hire and rental trailers, regardless of their weight, for a one-time fee.
• A registration card will be issued for a trailer with permanent registration.
• The license plate will not have a month and year decal. Plates are embossed with the word "Permanent".
• Permanent trailer plates for rental trailers will display an orange decal with a white "R" to designate the trailer as a rental.
• There is no additional registration fee for as long as the ownership of the trailer remains the same. If ownership changes new plates will have to be purchased.
• Personalized messages are available for an additional one-time fee.
• Permanent registration is neither transferable nor refundable.
• If the permanent trailer plate is lost, mutilated or illegible, it can be replaced by paying a replacement fee. (Va. Code § 46.2-692).
• If the trailer currently has a FULL SIZE plate, the customer can replace it with a SMALL license plate if the gross weight is 4,000 POUNDS OR LESS. There will be a replacement fee for the new plate.

Effective 07/01/2004, a trailer with a model year that is more than 25 model years old before January 1 of the current calendar year and is owned solely as a collector's item is defined as an antique. A customer may purchase an antique license plate for the trailer according to current procedures for issuance of antique license plates. (Refer to VLIC-201.)

CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Submit an "Application for Registration" (VSA 14) or "Application for Certificate of Title and Registration" (VSA 17A).
2. Indicate the type of plate desired.
3. Pay the appropriate fees.

DMV SERVICE PROVIDER'S PROCESS:

1. Verify that the application is complete.
2. Collect the appropriate fee.
3. Process according to data entry procedures.

REFERENCE: