Initial Registration

Residents operating trailers on Florida’s roadways must have a valid license plate and registration.

Non-residents must register their trailers in Florida if they engage in a trade or occupation, are employed in Florida, or their children attend public schools in Florida.

Each applicant, or their appointed power of attorney, must be present and bring personal identification in the form of a Driver License or Identification card issued by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, a passport, or Canadian driver license or identification card. If you are the appointed power of attorney, the original or certified copy of the original signed document must be presented at time of application for a new trailer registration or title.

Sales tax is collected on the purchase price.

Registration Renewal

Florida law requires trailer tags and registrations to be renewed prior to expiration. Florida vehicle registration decals expire as follows:

• For trailers owned by individuals, the expiration date is the birthday of the first owner listed on the registration.
• For company owned trailers, the expiration date is June 30th.
• For semi-trailers, the annual expiration date is December 31st.

To renew, the following items are required:

• Previous registration or registration renewal notice.

Trailer registration renewals may be done online, by mail, or in person.

Important note: Only trailers with a net or empty weight of 2000 lbs or higher are titled. However, registrations and license plates are required for all trailers.

Registration on a Used Trailer

If you have purchased a used trailer, under 2,000lbs, that is currently registered in Florida, you will need to provide:

• A bill of sale or the previous owner’s registration with the transfer of ownership section accurately completed. The bill of sale must list the Trailer Identification Number (TIN).

If you have purchased a used trailer, under 2,000lbs, that is not currently registered in Florida, you will need to provide:

• A bill of sale or the out-of-state title/registration signed by the previous owner. These documents are used to establish a complete chain of ownership.
• A weight slip must be presented unless the weight is listed on the title or registration.
• If the trailer was previously registered in a state that does not title or register trailers, the bill of sale must include the year, make, Trailer Identification Number and list the state where the trailer was registered.

Registration on a Homemade Trailer

If you have purchased or built a homemade trailer, under 2,000lbs, that has never been registered, you will need to provide:

• A certified weight slip.
• If purchased, you need to provide a bill of sale showing the purchase price, and year the trailer was built.
• The Trailer Identification Number will be generated by the state’s computer system during the registration transaction.

If you have purchased a homemade trailer, over 2,000 pounds, that is registered in Florida, you will need to provide:

• The Florida title, accurately completed by the seller(s) and purchaser(s)

If you have purchased or built a homemade trailer that weighs 2,000lbs or more and has never been titled or registered in any state, you will need to provide:

• A certified weight slip.
• If purchased, you need to provide a bill of sale showing the purchase price, and year the trailer was built.
• A FLHSMV Compliance Examiner must inspect the trailer and assign a Trailer Identification Number before the trailer can be registered in Florida. To make an appointment for this inspection, call 813-612-7110.

Title Application on a New Trailers

An Application for Certificate of Title may be completed before you visit the Tax Collector’s Office. For more information about how to fill out the application, check out our helpful “how-to” video in English here or Spanish here.

The following items are needed in addition to a completed Application for Certificate of Title:

• A manufacturer’s certificate of origin;
• A bill of sale or invoice listing the purchase price, sales tax paid, and any trade-in allowance (Please note, additional sales tax may be due);
• Any applicable lienholder information;
• When transferring a tag or license plate, the current registration or plate and decal number;
• Each applicant must sign the application. (If completing an application in our office, each person applying for ownership must be present to sign the title application.)

Title Application on an Out-Of-State Trailer weighing more than 2000 lbs

When titling and registering a trailer that was previously titled out-of-state, an Application for Certificate of Title may be completed ahead of time and brought to a Tax Collector’s Office. For more information about how to fill out the application, check out our helpful “how-to” video in English here or Spanish here.

The following items are also required:

• The out-of-state title certificate in your name or assigned to you by the previous owner(s).
• If your trailer is financed, complete lienholder information including account number, lienholder name, and mailing address are required;
• The Vehicle/Trailer Identification Number must be verified by FL Law Enforcement Officer, FL Notary, DHSMV Compliance Examiner, Military Police Officer, Florida Licensed Dealer, or Tax Collector Employee prior to registering the vehicle/trailer. If the vehicle/trailer is on-site, Tax Collector staff can complete the verification (weather permitting). Click here to access the Vehicle Identification Number & Odometer Verification form.
• When transferring a tag or license plate, the current registration or plate and decal number.
• Each applicant must sign the application. (If completing the application in our office, each person applying for ownership must be present to sign the title application.)
• Florida Sales Tax may be due if the vehicle was purchased less than 6 months prior to importing the vehicle to Florida. Proof of any sales tax paid to another state will be required.
• The full 6% Florida Sales Tax and applicable local option tax is due on all vehicles imported from foreign countries.

Note: Applicants may request a Fast Title for an additional $10. The title is provided by the Tax Collector’s Office at the time of application.

Transfer of Ownership on a Florida Title

Information on transferring ownership on a Florida title is available here.