Trailer titling and inspection

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Homemade Trailer Titling Procedure
PURPOSE
This Fact Sheet explains the requirements for titling, registering, owning and operating homemade trailers or
trailers assembled from kits in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It describes homemade trailers, the
documentation required for titling and registration as well as equipment requirements.
DEFINITIONS
The Pennsylvania Vehicle Code (§102) describes specially constructed vehicles as a vehicle not originally
constructed under a distinctive name, make, model or type by a generally recognized manufacturer of vehicles.
This includes vehicles assembled from parts of various vehicles, and/or kits.
Vehicles reconstructed to the extent that the original make is no longer recognizable will be issued a certificate
of title listing Specially Constructed as the vehicle make and no model year. (A Pennsylvania state replacement
vehicle identification number plate will automatically be issued on trailers of this type; no special form is
required.)
GENERAL RULE
1. Four color photographs: one each of the front, rear and both sides of the trailer. (Photos must show that
safety chains are attached to the tow hitch and that the vehicle complies with all applicable lighting
requirements.) All photos must be signed and dated by the examining inspection mechanic.
2. Completed Form MV-1, Application For Certificate of Title. NOTE: Issuing Agents are prohibited from issuing
temporary registration plates or transferring a registration in conjunction with application for these type
vehicles. Agents should remind applicants that the vehicle cannot be used until the application is processed
and registration plates are issued by the Department.
3. Complete Form MV-426, “Application for Reconstructed or Specially Constructed Vehicle”. (See reverse
side for details.) Please note that if one of the blocks is checked (4) in Section C, the “describe in detail”
portion need not be completed.
4. Proof of ownership. These documents include certificate of title, salvage certificate, manufacturer’s
certificate of origin (for kits, bodies, etc.), and bills of sale and receipts for all major components used in the
construction of the trailer for which no evidence of ownership is available.
NOTE: The bill of sales and receipts in the name of the applicant for parts used to assemble the vehicle
must be submitted as proof that the Sales Tax on those parts has been paid.

5. Fees. $22.50 title fee, sales tax and applicable trailer registration fee (listed below). If applicant is
claiming exemption from sales tax, the applicable sales tax exemption reason code must be recorded
on Form MV-1.
ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
1. Trailers 3,000 lbs. or less GVW: Form MV-426 must be completed by a certified inspection
mechanic. The inspection mechanic is required to verify that the vehicle complies with all
Pennsylvania vehicle safety equipment requirements as listed in Pub. 45, the Vehicle Equipment and
Inspection Regulations. However, trailers to be registered 3,000 lbs. or less will not receive an
inspection sticker, nor do they require future annual safety inspections.
The applicant must explain in detail on Form MV-426 how the trailer was assembled, what work was
done to the trailer, and where all principal parts were obtained. If the description is not in sufficient
detail, the application will be rejected. The special VIN plate and registration plate are to be attached
to the trailer immediately upon receipt from the Bureau. Please note that if one of the blocks is checked
(4) in Section C on Form MV-426, the “describe in detail” portion need not be completed.
2. Trailers over 3,000 lbs. GVW: Form MV-426 must be completed by a certified inspection mechanic.
The inspection mechanic is required to verify that the vehicle complies with all Pennsylvania vehicle
safety equipment requirements. No safety inspection sticker may be issued at this time.
The applicant must explain in detail on Form MV-426 how the trailer was assembled, what work was
done to the trailer, and where all principal parts were obtained. If the description is not in sufficient
detail, the application will be rejected. Please note that if one of the blocks is checked (4) in Section
C on Form MV-426, the “describe in detail” portion need not be completed.
After the application is processed and when the title, registration plate, card, sticker and special VIN
plate is received by the applicant, the applicant must attach the special VIN plate and registration plate
to the trailer. The vehicle must then be taken to a certified inspection mechanic and if the trailer passes
the safety inspection, the inspection mechanic will issue an inspection sticker to the vehicle at that
time.
TYPES OF EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
Depending on the type of trailer being assembled or purchased, various types of safety equipment are
required. Equipment such as lights, reflectors, tow chains (depending on the type of trailer hitch used) and
whether brakes (brakes for each wheel are required on all trailers over 3,000 lbs.) are required, etc., will
vary depending on the GVW of the trailer. The applicant should contact a certified inspection mechanic or
the Bureau’s Vehicle Inspection Division at (717) 705-6991 for more information.
Fees for Trailer and Semi -Trailer
Gross Weight Fee Fee Opt. 5 Optional
in Lbs. Annual Per Mo. Year Fee Permanent
3,000 lbs. or less 6.00 .50 30.00 N/A
3,001 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. 12.00 1.00 60.00 N/A
10,001 lbs. or more 27.00 2.25 N/A 135.00
Trailers 10,000 lbs. or less may be registered for period of one year or five years.