What do I need to do? Buying a trailer in a private transaction

[DancingArabian]

I’ve never purchased a vehicle of any kind from a person before, only a dealer. I am looking to buy a trailer that I love from someone. I know they need to sign the title over to me and that I need to get it inspected before registering it with the MVA, but do I need to do anything else? What happens with the license plates? Do I take those and turn them in when I get my new title and tags? Or do I have to turn them in in the state the trailer is registered in?

This also means my existing trailer will be up for sale. What do I need to do as a seller to transfer the trailer?

Edited to add: I’m in Maryland. The trailer I’m looking at is in West Virginia.

[Simkie]

This is a “how long is a piece of string” question if you don’t include the state you’re in

Really depends on where you are.

[Mango20]

Yeah, this might vary by state. Generally, the seller will retain possession of the license plates and will have to return them to the MVA. You should ask for or write up a quick bill of sale which identifies the trailer (VIN) buyer and seller and sale amount, which you will need to prove its worth at the MVA so they can charge you taxes on it. In my state, I don’t believe an inspection is necessary.

[trubandloki]

It sounds like you are buying from another state. Look up on your state DMV site to see what is required to transfer a trailer to your state.

I would assume the seller would keep their plates.

[Where_sMyWhite]

Ensure that the seller already has in their possession the title for the trailer (otherwise there is already a lien on the trailer which must be paid off before you can get title to it).

[fourfillies]

Here in PA the small fee a “tag and title” shops charges is SO worth it. Bring the title and bill of sale and they’ll walk you through everything. Inspection follows.

[AKB]

Bill of Sake may be needed for DMV.

[gypsymare]

Most of the horse trailers in MD are licensed in Maine so I’d check that out, too!

[imaginique]

Call your local DMV. They can tell you all you need to know.

[DMK]

or just go online - many DMVs have a how to checklist as well as template bill of sale you can download. That’s how I handled selling my old trailer (which was made more fun by the fact my trailer didn’t have a title thanks to a long defunct credit union combined with my procrastination) and buying a friend’s (paid off) trailer.

[Libby2563]

[QUOTE=DancingArabian;8995143]
I’ve never purchased a vehicle of any kind from a person before, only a dealer. I am looking to buy a trailer that I love from someone. I know they need to sign the title over to me and that I need to get it inspected before registering it with the MVA, but do I need to do anything else? What happens with the license plates? Do I take those and turn them in when I get my new title and tags? Or do I have to turn them in in the state the trailer is registered in?

This also means my existing trailer will be up for sale. What do I need to do as a seller to transfer the trailer?

Edited to add: I’m in Maryland. The trailer I’m looking at is in West Virginia.[/QUOTE]

Most of your questions are answered here: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/registration/title-registration-info.htm#usedvehicles

Does the trailer have a title? Some don’t. If it does, get the seller to sign the title over to you. If not, you need the registration and a bill of sale as proof of ownership.

Since the title is most likely WV, you will need an application form from the MVA as well (linked on that page).

You also need a bill of sale that is downloadable there. Under certain circumstances (newer vehicles or those significantly under book value) it needs to be notarized to verify purchase price for tax purposes.

The seller is responsible for the tags on the vehicle so they should be the ones to keep them and turn them in. That said, some people will let you take their tags for the trip home and mail them back. Since you’re taking the trailer to a different state you can’t turn them in for them (except maybe by mail, if WV allows that). (By which I mean, you can’t turn WV tags into the MVA.)

If they do not let you take the tags with you, you need to either make two trips (one trip to transfer ownership, then back to MD with the documents to register the trailer and get your own tags, then back to WV to pick up the trailer) or find another solution. Some states like VA offer transport tags that you can print out for temporary use. My brief googling did not reveal something like this for WV and I know MD doesn’t have such a thing. Other things people do (but that I’m not specifically advising) include driving with no tags or putting another trailer’s tags on it for the trip and hoping you don’t get pulled over.

To sell your trailer, basically the same process except you’re the seller, not the buyer. All the info you need is on the MVA website.

[Mango20]

You can apply for 30 day temporary tags in MD: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/registration/temporary-registration.htm

[Libby2563]

[QUOTE=Mango20;8996939]
You can apply for 30 day temporary tags in MD: http://www.mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/registration/temporary-registration.htm[/QUOTE]

True but to get a temp tag you need to already be the owner of the vehicle when you apply in person. In VA, you can print a very short-term one off the internet. The technical name is apparently “prospective purchaser’s trip permit.” I sold a car to a woman who lived in VA and that’s how she drove it home. She did get pulled over by the ever-diligent state troopers (because she had no tags, just a tiny slip of paper taped to the window that they probably couldn’t read at highway speed), but all was in order and she was soon on her way.

[kcmel]

The temporary tag will add cost to the transaction (I think in PA it is $35, but I am not sure).

What you “could” do (depending on the title transfer laws in WV/MD), is do the title transfer in WV (here in PA it has to be done in front of a notary), bring the tags from your old trailer and put the on your new trailer to haul back to MD.

Of course, it would depend on whether you thought it was worth $35 (or whatever the fee for a temporary tag is) for the small risk that you might get pulled over and incur a $$ fine. I have heard MD state troopers are fairly aggressive in pulling over trailers, although I have never been pulled over there (although I mostly travel back roads; I’ve only had one long trip on I-95).

I know someone from NJ who did this when purchasing a trailer in PA. I probably would have paid the $35 but I am risk-averse.