Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Trailers, House Semi-trailers and Private Utilities

Privately-used trailers, house type semi-trailers and private utilities are included in the category “other non-commercial motor vehicles” (Code 22) for registration purposes. Trailers (manufactured or homemade) and semi-trailers weighing less than 2,500 lbs. must be registered but are exempt from titling; if a trailer weighs more than 2,500 lbs. (unladen) it must be titled.

For registration purposes, trailer (manufactured or homemade) means every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle.

Read through the following choices to determine what steps you need to take before visiting a motor vehicle agency to register (and title, if applicable) your specific type of trailer.

To Register a Trailer that was Pre-Owned (under 2,500 lbs. - no title)

You will need the following:

• A Vehicle Registration Application (Form BA-49).
• A Power of Attorney (POA) if applicable.
  • A POA is needed only if someone other than the purchaser is signing the documents on behalf of the purchaser.
  • A copy is acceptable if a POA is being used.

  If there is no VIN available, the transaction may be processed so long as all the documentation listed above is provided, along with the applicable fees. If you do not have all of the abovementioned documentation, you must complete a twelve-step procedure called “Improper Evidence of Ownership Procedure”. See more information and the form packet. You may also contact the MVC’s Special Title Unit at 609-292-6500 for assistance.

  To Register and Title a Trailer that was Pre-Owned (over 2,500 lbs) and all Travel Trailers

  You will need all of the items listed in the above section (12 total), plus the following:

  • The title properly assigned (includes seller/buyer name and address and signatures, the date of sale, purchase price, and buyer’s driver’s license number).
  • Payment fee for titling:
    • $60 for a standard vehicle.
    • $85 for a financed vehicle with one lien.
    • $110 for a financed vehicle with two liens.
    • The MVC accepts American Express® card, Visa® card, MasterCard®, Discover card®, check, money order or cash.

    To register a homemade trailer

    You will need the following:

    • Proof of identification;
    • Original receipts/titles for all parts used;
    • A notarized statement containing:
      • construction details;
      • parts and material used; and
      • the date and location where parts were purchased (If parts were taken from another trailer/vehicle, you must list the VIN from each vehicle).
      • If the trailer weighs more than 2,500 lbs. (unladen), it must also be titled.
      • $60 for a standard vehicle.
      • $85 for a financed vehicle with one lien.
      • $110 for a finance vehicle with two liens.
      • The MVC accepts American Express® card, Visa® card, MasterCard®, Discover card®, check, money order or cash.

      The N.J.S.A. 39:3-.8 limits vehicles of this type to the following dimensions:

      • Width: 96 inches
      • Height: 13 feet, 6 inches
      • Length (single vehicle): 35 feet
      • Length (semi-trailer and towing vehicle): 48 feet
      • Length (trailer and towing vehicle): 58 feet

      When figuring any dimension, safety equipment items (such as mirrors or lights) are not included if they do not exceed the overall limitations.

      If the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (including load) is more than 3,000 lbs. or 40% of the towing vehicle's gross weight, the trailer must be equipped with brakes.

      To Register and/or Title a New Trailer

      If you purchase a new vehicle in this category, you must follow registration and or titling procedures applicable to new vehicles. As noted above, trailers (manufactured or homemade) and semi-trailers weighing less than 2,500 lbs. must be registered but are exempt from titling; if a trailer weighs more than 2,500 lbs. (unladen) it must be titled.

      To transfer ownership

      If you need to transfer ownership of a trailer, house semi-trailer or private utility, you may do so only at a motor vehicle agency – this type of transaction cannot be handled through the mail. To ensure the proper transfer of documents and to avoid penalties, please follow these guidelines.