Whether you are purchasing or selling a trailer, a New Jersey trailer bill of sale can help the process run more smoothly.
If the trailer is homemade, your New Jersey trailer bill of sale should also include details about the parts and materials used for the trailer’s construction. New Jersey requires all trailers operating on New Jersey’s roads or highways to be registered, but only large or commercial trailers require a title.
Registering a Trailer in New Jersey
When you buy a trailer in New Jersey, you must transfer trailer ownership and register the trailer at your local New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office. A trailer bill of sale for your New Jersey registration can streamline the process.
A trailer bill of sale in New Jersey should include a notarized signed statement from the seller with the following details:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), if available
- Description
- The year the trailer was manufactured
- Make and model
- Price upon purchase
Trailer registration in New Jersey always expires on March 31, regardless of your initial registration date. You must renew your trailer registration annually.
What Paperwork Is Required To Register a Trailer in New Jersey?
When you go to the MVC to register your trailer, you may need the following information:
- Trailer title, if applicable
- Application for Vehicle Registration
- Driver’s license or other identification
- Dealer reassignment documents, if necessary
- Notarized New Jersey trailer bill of sale
- Prior registration document
- Lienholder information or financing details, if applicable
- New Jersey insurance card
The trailer registration requirements in New Jersey differ depending on your trailer’s size, age, and weight. You may also need to submit different information if you purchased the trailer from a dealer, an out-of-state seller, or at an auction.
Trailer Registration Fees
You must also pay taxes and fees to register your trailer in New Jersey. Costs for trailer registration may include the following:
- Sales tax
- Registration fee
- Title transfer fee
- Registration transfer fee
- Titling fee
Commercial trailers are subject to different registration requirements and fees and typically require a title. Titling fees for commercial trailers are higher for financed trailers and trailers with liens.
Title for Trailer
New Jersey does not require you to have a title for non-commercial trailers under 2,500 pounds. Trailers weighing over 2,500 pounds unladen must be titled, whether they are for commercial or personal use. You can apply using the New Jersey Universal Title Application if the vehicle does not already have a title.
Insurance
The towing vehicle’s liability insurance covers some personal use trailers under 2,500 pounds. However, some personal-use trailers and most commercial trailers may need additional trailer-specific insurance. Check with your local MVC office or insurance carrier to confirm your trailer’s required insurance.
New Jersey Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
Download a New Jersey trailer bill of sale template below in PDF or Word format:
