An Alabama Trailer Bill of Sale is a legal document that records the transfer of ownership for a trailer. The registration requirement for a trailer depends on its type and age at the time of sale.
In Alabama, registration is mandatory for new travel, camping, and commercial trailers. However, certain older trailers may still necessitate license plates and tax payments. To ensure compliance during trailer transfer, buyers and sellers should consult their state and county offices.
REQUIREMENTS
Bill of Sale: Required
Registration: Required
Title: Not Required
Insurance: Not Required
Signing: Buyer and seller
LAWS
Statutes: § 40-12-252, § 810-5-1-.240
Registration: § 32-6-61
Registering a Trailer in Alabama
All motor vehicles less than 35 years old must be registered in Alabama and have an Alabama certificate of title. Travel trailers and collapsible camping trailers under 20 years old must also have a certificate of title.
Utility trailers, intended to be pulled behind passenger vehicles or pickup trucks, do not need titles. Trailers that do not require titles do not have to be registered (Ala. Code § 32-8-31). Some utility trailers may need licensing. Owners should verify this with the county where they are located.
Vehicles (motor vehicles and trailers) are registered in the county where the owner resides. Buyers have 20 calendar days from the date of purchase to register their vehicles with the county, and new residents of Alabama have 30 days to register their vehicles with the state.
What Paperwork Is Required to Register a Trailer in Alabama?
Registrations are done in the county where the vehicle is located. Each county may have slightly different requirements. Owners should confirm the requirements before bringing their documents to their county office.
- Title
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of residency in the county
- Valid driver’s license or state ID for each owner
- Bill of sale
Out-of-state purchases may need to be presented at the county office to verify VIN on the title and vehicle.
The county motor vehicle department will not accept any altered or corrected document. If an application form contains an error, buyers and sellers must submit a request for a replacement title through the appropriate county’s website.
Trailer Registration Fees
Registration fee schedules for Alabama can be found on the Registration File Information page of the Alabama Department for Revenue site. Fees change, so owners should regularly check for changes.
Title for Trailer
Alabama requires a title for all travel trailers and collapsible campers. Homemade trailers without a VIN must apply for a state-assigned VIN using a state form available on Alabama’s website.
Insurance
In Alabama, towed trailers do not require liability insurance since they are covered by the towing vehicle. Self-propelled RVs require their liability insurance.
Exemptions
The following vehicles are exempt from Alabama’s trailer registration requirements:
- Nonresident vehicles
- Trailers, semitrailers, and manufactured homes more than 20 years old
- Utility trailers
- Boat trailers
Alabama Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
