A Hawaii trailer bill of sale is a vital document that serves as tangible evidence of the trailer transfer between a private seller and buyer. It not only serves as a record but also ensures clarity and transparency throughout the buying or selling process.
REQUIREMENTS
Bill of Sale: Not Required
Registration: Required
Title: Required
Insurance: Required
Signing: Buyer and seller
LAWS
Statutes: § 286-47.2, § 286-52.5
Registering a Trailer in Hawaii
Any trailer that you own in Hawaii must be registered. If you have recently purchased a trailer from a private party, you will need to register the trailer in your name or transfer the registration. There will be certain steps required, as well as paperwork that you will need to do so.
What Paperwork Is Required To Register a Trailer in Hawaii?
First, you will need a Manufacturer Certificate of Origin (MCO) or statement of origin (MSO). This certificate or statement must be notarized and provided by the dealer. If the document is not notarized, you will need to provide a notarized Hawaii trailer bill of sale. The good news is that a Hawaii trailer bill of sale is easy to draft, and you can even use a free template to draft your bill of sale.
The MCO, MSO, or bill of sale should validate the trailer’s weight. Before the trailer safety inspection, you will also need an MCO, MSO, or weight slip. If the trailer is homemade and has not been registered, it must be weighed at an official weigh station.
Trailer Registration Fees
The registration fee for your trailer will depend on the county in which you register the trailer, as well as the weight of the trailer. The state weight tax is as follows:
- 1.75 cents per pound for trailers up to 4,000 lbs
- 2 cents per pound for trailers between 4,001-7,000 lbs
- 2.25 cents per pound for trailers between 7,001-10,000 lbs
- A flat rate of $300 for trailers over 10,000 lbs
County taxes may also apply, as well as specific county fees. For more information, visit your county’s website.
Insurance
Trailers are considered motor vehicles, so like all motor vehicles in Hawaii, insurance is required. If your trailer is for commercial use, you will need special commercial insurance to fully cover the new trailer.
Exemptions
Trailers that fall under the category of “special mobile equipment,” defined by the Hawaii county code, are not required to have a safety inspection in order to be registered. All other registration rules still apply.
Special Requirements/Inspections
To complete your trailer registration, your trailer must pass a safety check inspection. If you are unable to provide current registration, the inspector will automatically fail the inspection, but don’t worry. Bring your registration to the Vehicle Registration and Licensing Division (VRL) clerk. As long as that is the only reason that your trailer failed the safety inspection, and you still have your Hawaii trailer bill of sale and other paperwork, you should still be able to receive a registration.
Hawaii Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
Download a Hawaii trailer bill of sale template below in PDF or Word format:
