When you sell or purchase a trailer in Nebraska, the state may require you to register it like any new vehicle. Since trailers are often not titled, a Nebraska trailer bill of sale can legally prove that you have transferred ownership.
Whether or not you register the vehicle, you can use a trailer bill of sale in Nebraska to prove the trailer’s value for tax purposes. It can also help clarify legal questions of ownership, should they arise.
Registering a Trailer in Nebraska
The state requires residents to register all vehicles operated on Nebraska roads and highways. This includes cabin trailers, semi-truck trailers, and certain utility trailers. Vehicles exempt from Nebraska trailer registration requirements include:
- Agricultural implements, such as spreaders and harvesters
- Welders, pole diggers, portable scales, tow dollies, and converter gears
- Cabin trailers greater than 102″ in width, 40′ in length, or 13.5′ in height
- Road and general maintenance and construction equipment
If you need help determining whether to register your trailer, contact your local Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office for additional information.
What Paperwork Is Required To Register a Trailer in Nebraska?
The Nebraska DMV provides specific requirements for trailer registration, depending on the type of trailer and its intended use. Review their trailer towing chart to understand which trailers can legally operate on Nebraska roads.
To register a new trailer in Nebraska for the first time, you must provide the following documents:
- Proof of financial responsibility, such as pulling unit insurance
- Receipt for sales or excise tax on the trailer
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Proof of ownership, which may include your Nebraska trailer bill of sale; a trailer bill of sale in Nebraska should include the following:
- The trailer description or VIN
- The seller’s name and signature
- The buyer’s name and signature
- The date of the sale
- The amount of the trailer sale
If you wish to renew your existing registration, you need only provide the expiring registration document and proof of financial responsibility. In addition, you must pay any registration fees, plate fees, and taxes.
Nebraska Trailer Registration Fees
Fees to register your trailer in Nebraska differ depending on the size of your trailer and its intended use. Specific costs may vary by county. Taxes and fees you can expect to pay for your trailer registration include the following:
- Motor vehicle tax based on your trailer’s value and age up to 14 years
- Motor vehicle fees based on the trailer’s value, weight, age, and use
- Registration fee for commercial vehicles
- Semitrailer registration fees
- Trailer registration fee of $1.00 for every 1,000 pounds of weight
- Farm truck and trailer registration fee
- Cabin trailer registration fee
You may also be subject to different registration regulations and fees if your trailer is part of a fleet. No matter how your trailer is registered, you benefit from using a trailer bill of sale in Nebraska to establish the value of your trailer and prove ownership.
Title for a Nebraska Trailer
Nebraska requires a Certificate of Title for most vehicles operating on the state’s roads and highways, including trailers. Exceptions to trailer title requirements include:
- Certain construction and maintenance equipment
- Trailers with a gross weight of 9,000 pounds or less
- Trailers used by farmers and ranchers to haul products from storage or market
- Trailers owned by non-residents and titled in another state
If your trailer does not require a title, you still need proof of the ownership transfer. A Nebraska bill of sale for your trailer offers clear legal documentation of trailer value and ownership that can streamline your registration process.
Nebraska Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
Download a Nebraska trailer bill of sale template below in PDF or Word format:
