When you buy a new trailer in Delaware, you should check the laws of your state pertaining to registration requirements. To legally use your trailer on the roads of Delaware, you must follow some specific rules. You also should secure a trailer bill of sale in Delaware to assist you in the process of getting it road ready.
Registering a Trailer in Delaware
You will need to register your trailer in Delaware for it to be legal to use on the roadways. After completing the Delaware trailer bill of sale, you have 30 days to finish this process.
What Paperwork Is Required To Register a Trailer in Delaware?
The documents you will need to register your trailer include the following:
- Driver’s license or state identification
- Registration card if renewing
- Manufacturer’s statement of origin
- Safety inspection
- Bill of sale for the trailer in Delaware
- Application
Trailer Registration Fees
If you do not register your vehicle in the 30-day period, you must pay a $20 late fee. The basic registration fees depend on weight:
- Under 1,000 pounds – $15
- 1,001 to 2,000 pounds – $20
- 2,001 to 5,000 pounds – $40
- Every 1,000 pounds over 5,000 – $18
You may also have to pay a motor vehicle document fee [1] . You will want to have a notarized Delaware bill of sale for the trailer because the amount of the charge is dependent on the purchase price:
- Under $400 – $8
- $400 to $500 – $13.75
- Over $500 – $4.25 for each additional $100
Title for Trailer
Titling is a requirement for trailers. The Division of Motor Vehicles handles it, except for boat trailers, which are the responsibility of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
To make the process easier, the DMV recommends transferring the title at their facility. You should also bring a copy of the Delaware trailer bill of sale (PDF or paper copy) to cover any questions.
If the previous owner is not there, they must contact the DMV to alert them to the sale and complete a report of sale and registration card. The seller must also complete the Assignment of Certificate of Title, and you and the seller must sign it. In addition, you must fill out and sign the Purchaser’s Application.
The title fee depends on the weight of your trailer.
Insurance
Delaware law does not require you to carry insurance on your trailer. Your auto insurance will likely cover the trailer in some situations. You may wish to check with your insurer and add coverage if necessary.
Exemptions
You may not have to pay the motor vehicle document fee if one of the following conditions applies:
- You received the trailer as a gift from your spouse, child, parent, grandparent, or sibling.
- Ownership was transferred between you and another owner.
- The trailer was part of an inheritance.
Delaware Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
Download a Delaware trailer bill of sale template below in PDF or Word format:
