Shack66

Was hoping you could help me figure out how to title and register my boat trailer. OK, here's my situation:

-- Bought used boat trailer from a guy in MD. Former owner had it titled and tagged in MD.
-- I live in VA permanently
-- Trailer will be kept in MD (in a barn) -- I'll only use it 2 times per year to go about 2 miles and back

What would you do re title and tags?

-- Register in VA? Register in MD? or Register in Maine?

Also, does it matter where the vehicle is titled?

Lastly, I know MD requires an inspection. Does VA or Maine require an inspection?

Thanks in advance.

CaptKennyW

whats maine got to do with it??? me personally i wouldnt even bother

whaler23

In MD the DNR (Natural resource police) often hang out at ramps to inspect fish catches and ABSOLUTELY will nail you if your trailer isn't tagged. I think all three states you mentioned are title states and require tags. MD does and its aggressively enforced.

kjw3250

Does the trailer have breaks? I think if it does you have to have an inspection if it does, other than that I think you are cool. Don't know about Maine.

Ron of Va

Assuming you don’t have duel residency, and if you live in Virginia, definitely get a Virginia Title. You will also get Virginia license plates. Now you can choose the address that is listed on the title, and it should be where the vehicle is housed. There is no problem listing a Maryland address on a Virginia Title. Most places in Virginia will tax you on the boat if you keep it in their jurisdiction (your home). Listing your Virginia home address may also be the simplest way to go, although it may not be legal from Maryland’s perspective since they will want to tax you on the boat that is housed in their state. I don’t think driving to and from the MD ramp will be an issue if you have tags on the trailer.

Virginia requires the trailer to be inspected if it has brakes.

__________________
Kids who hunt and fish
don't steal and deal..

petrel

Listen to Whaler23...beware the DNR in the People's Republic of Maryland, not to mention the MD state police. Whatever you decide, make sure your "papers are in order." Never been ticketed there, but been checked plenty. Those guys live to inspect and ticket, and aren't hit or miss like other locations. They are very thorough and seemingly always around.

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huntrig

I live in Maryland and tagged my trailer in Maine. No BS inspections and no tax to pay or registration fees.

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Never underestimate the power of stupidity!

steeptek

i am doing the same as we speak...using a co. called mbi trailers

Bruce W

Register the trailer in VA - you can get a "PERMANENT" (forever!) tag for $50 from VA Dept. of Motor Vehicles, as well as the trailer title.

No inspection required if no brakes. You MAY have to buy some kind of COUNTY/CITY sticker/decal for the trailer, depending on the locality you live in. In the county I live in, we have a permanent decal for trailers - $195 fine if you don't have it..

Regards,

__________________
Bruce
Boatless as of 5/14/10

My Gal

"$195 fine if you don't have it.."

And how do we know that?