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 currently mandatory for new travel trailers, camping trailers, and commercial trailers. However, certain older trailers may still necessitate license plates and tax payments. To ensure compliance during the transfer of any trailer, both 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 are required to be registered in Alabama and have an Alabama certificate of title. Travel trailers and collapsible camping trailers less than 20 years old must also have a certificate of title.
Utility trailers, which are 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. A new resident to Alabama has 30 days to register their vehicle 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.
The bill of sale must include the following:
- Seller’s signature
- Vehicle description, including VIN, year, make, and model
- Date of sale
- Sale amount
- Signatures of buyer and seller
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 document that has been altered or corrected. If there has been an error in any application form, 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 in the fees.
Title for Trailer
Alabama requires a title for all travel trailers and collapsible campers. Homemade trailers that do not have 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 own 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
Download an Alabama trailer bill of sale template below in PDF or Word format:
