[John Clay]

My daughter is trying to buy a small sailboat including a trailer. What's process do you suggest for both temporary transport and permanent plates? Trailer is probably 20 years old. Seller is in PA.

[BillC]

The process for buying a trailer is very similar to buying a used car.

When you buy the trailer, you'll get a title. Take the title to MVA or a tag&title service and you'll get a registration and temp tags (or permanent metal tags with a 30-day registration) for it. Then, you take the trailer to an authorized inspection station. Once the trailer has been MD inspected and approved, you go back to MVA or the tag&title place and get your normal 2-year registration and stickers.

MD does not require separate insurance for a trailer, since it's considered to be under the tow vehicle's insurance while being towed. However, you can get supplemental insurance for it, to cover theft and damage while it's not being used.

[John Clay]

She's saying the trailer doesn't have a title.

[N Fotouhi]

It has been a while, but I think my 18’ open aluminum race car trailer did not have a NJ title because NJ does not issue title for trailers under a certain GVW. My enclosed trailer has a NJ title. This maybe a State specific thing.
When I sold the trailer, I did a bill of sale form which I got at the DMV. The trailer was registered, tagged, and insured. No inspection in NJ for either trailers I’ve owned.
You can likely buy via a BOS. Make sure both seller and buyer’s signature is notarized. Take the BOS to your state’s DMV. They will be happy to take your money and register it.

[Dr K]

Many of us get our plates from Maine, which is significantly less expensive.
https://mainetrailerregistrations.com

[Trak Ratt]

Originally Posted by Dr K

Many of us get our plates from Maine, which is significantly less expensive.
https://mainetrailerregistrations.com

X2

[cmartin]

Similar experience with the ME option

If you go the MD route check out the homebuilt designation.

Also, for some other advice, https://www.thehulltruth.com/mid-atl...no-papers.html

[RV4Flyer]

Originally Posted by Dr K

Many of us get our plates from Maine, which is significantly less expensive.
https://mainetrailerregistrations.com

Very easy process through the mail. You'll need to send them a copy of the PA title. I think I paid $90 for a 10 year registration. If I recall the process was about two weeks from application to getting the tags. Maryland requires an inspection to get a registration and is a lot more expensive. Google it, there are a few third party companies that do the tag work up there.

[John Clay]

Has anyone done transit tags? Without those, sounds like she'll need to buy it and get a bill of sale before she can actually bring the boat home.

[HoodPin]

AFAIK, MD doesn't offer "transit" tags. But once you have a bill of sale/title, I believe you can get temp tags to move it around for inspection, etc.

Regarding the title, the "Homemade Trailer" instructions can be found at:
https://mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/Pa...tion-info.aspx
If the trailer came from a state that "legally" doesn't require a title for it, perhaps that can be stated in the bill of sale, which could facilitate getting a MD title via the "Homemade Trailer" rules. A visit in advance to MVA to ask questions might be worthwhile.

I know a lot of people get the Maine trailer tags. I've never been a fan of the process for fear of insurance liability. On the other hand, I've never heard of anyone getting in trouble for having a Maine tag.