A West Virginia Trailer Bill of Sale is meant to establish the ownership of a carrying platform. The document provides all necessary details to register your trailer and can serve as proof of value for tax purposes.
All trailers operating on West Virginia public roads and highways must be titled and registered.
REQUIREMENTS
Bill of Sale: Required
Registration: Required
Title: Required
Insurance: Not Required
Signing: Buyer and seller
LAWS
Statutes: § 17A-1-1, § 17C-17-7
Registering a Trailer in West Virginia
A trailer is any vehicle pulled by a motor vehicle designed to carry people or property [1] . They may include utility, semi, travel, and pole trailers.
WVC § 17A-3-2 requires all motor vehicles, including trailers, semi-trailers, and pole trailers, to be registered and titled. West Virginia bases registration and titling requirements on the following vehicle classifications:
- Class C. Includes trailers and semi-trailers, excluding house trailers and trailers over 2,000 pounds designed for towing behind cars and trucks.
- Class R. Includes travel trailers used as temporary living quarters for camping, travel, and recreation.
- Class T. Includes trailers under 2,000 pounds designed for towing behind cars and trucks.
Register your new or used trailer by presenting the appropriate documents and fees at your regional Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or county sheriff’s office. Certain farm-use trailers are exempt from registration and titling requirements.
What Paperwork Is Required To Register a Trailer in West Virginia?
To obtain a West Virginia trailer title and vehicle registration, you may need the following documentation:
- Application for Certificate of Title
- Dealer invoice
- Notarized West Virginia trailer bill of sale
- Signed out-of-state title, if applicable
- Copies of the buyer’s and seller’s driver’s licenses
You may need to provide other information depending on your trailer’s size, weight, and intended use. Contact your regional DMV office to confirm which documents you need.
Trailer Registration Fees
West Virginia maintains a comprehensive fee schedule for vehicle registrations. Trailers over 7,000 pounds can be registered permanently or periodically, with the appropriate registration fee.
Trailers under 7,000 pounds or travel trailers register on a rotating three-year cycle with a fixed renewal date of April 1. Registration fees are calculated based on when you register during those three years.
Other title and registration fees and taxes you may pay for your trailer in West Virginia include the following:
- Title fee
- Lien fee, if applicable
- Titling sales tax
- Personal property tax
- Safety inspection fee
- License plate fee
The fees you owe may vary depending on your trailer’s size, weight, and use. Taxes also differ based on your trailer’s purchase price and actual value. Contact your regional DMV with questions.
Title for Trailer
In West Virginia, you must have a title to certify ownership of your trailer. If you purchased your trailer new from a dealership, you must present the manufacturer’s certificate of origin (MCO) to obtain a title.
To prove the trailer’s value for tax and titling purposes, dealers in West Virginia can provide a dealer invoice or certify the trailer’s price on the title application.
Trailers purchased out of state require an invoice or a West Virginia trailer bill of sale to confirm the purchase price. Those purchased in-state may require a notarized trailer bill of sale for West Virginia.
Speak with your local DMV office to confirm which requirements apply to your trailer in West Virginia.
Trailer Inspections
All trailers, semi-trailers, and pole trailers with West Virginia registration must undergo a yearly safety inspection. Exceptions to inspection requirements include trailers with a gross loaded weight of fewer than 2,000 pounds and house trailers.
West Virginia Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
Download a West Virginia trailer bill of sale template below in PDF or Word format:
