Title tranfers now require a VIN number

As of Jan 1st 2022 we now have to get VIN numbers for any trailer you buy/register. So I go to the tax office in Alvarado only to find I have to get this trailor checked for a VIN number and since it was built in 2006 it is highly unlikely it as ever numbered. $40. for that service. Said service has to be conducted by appointment. I got one 15 days from today. I call the provided number to get the particulars. Seems there will be four trucks parked in the west parking lot at that giant High school stadium off of 360 and Broad in Mansfield. Your appointment being just like anybody else's, 8AM. You know like going to traffic court. So I imagine the guy is going to glance at my trailer and stick his hand out for the $40. So then I get to go to the regional DMV witch is in Fort Worth. They will issue me a VIN number for what was described as a "small fee"?

is it not already registered?

I have stamped my own numbers in a couple of trailers in the past, used one I could remember.

Yep I have done the same thing with my DL. I have been trying to find the law that pertains to this and all I can find is that trailers under 4000 lbs gross weight are exempt, do not even have to be titled. Yes the trailer is registered. I handed the registration to the lady and she plans this goose chase for me. I wonder if she is just wrong?

all I did with mine was register it.

The registration for mine is due in April. The only note on it is "no inspection required". It is registered as homemade and 2500 lbs. I am thinking there is a weight limit for a VIN. I thought that trailers over a certain GVWR were always required to have a VIN. Maybe they lowered it.

I am starting to believe the lady behind the counter is wrong.

They often are. When I bought my boat in LA the lady made a list of things I needed. She did not list weight. I went back with inspection in hand and another lady said I needed to weigh it because the weight was not on the title. I went home got the boat and weighed it. I was fortunate because they wanted empty trailer weight and they let me deduct the boat and motor from the gross weight.

I definitely think it varies with the clerk.

I started down the rabbit hole to get my trailer title transferred from the previous owner, it had a Louisiana title, and to get the tags renewed, it had Texas tags but were out. First clerk at the main county office told me she could not renew the tags until I had transferred the title, but to do that I had to get it inspected and weighed. The trailer had a S/N sticker with weight information but it was too faded to read. So one day I dropped the boat off at the lake to let my boys fish and went to the feed store to have the trailer weighed. Took the trailer to my normal place to get my cars inspected and luckily it passed. Not terribly hard but a hassle nonetheless, especially having to go through the appointment process. I eventually went to the county annex building with the paperwork and that clerk told me I didn't need to title my trailer and she proceeded to issue me new tags.

The other clerk overheard our conversation came over to look over my inspection and weight slip and told me it all looked fine but I didn't need it and all I would need to do is get a signed bill of sale. It's been a year and I haven't pursued getting the Tx title.

I have a signed bill of sale for a simple 5x8 utility trailer and was told that before I could get tags it had to be Titled. What a sht show.... i will pull and if they give me a ticket it will still be cheaper that their circle affair.

Check the laws and carry a copy to the tax office. Trailers under 4000 lbs GVW don't have to titled in Texas. It is optional. The problem you might be running in to is there is no documentation of weight rating.

I could not agree more, what a waste of everyone's time!!!

they are clamping down on trailers that are factor made an called homemade some jurisdictions dont know the law the state wants them serialized an weighed.

I'm thinking this clerk is not taking into account that your trailer is not of a weight class that requires this.
If your trailer was, then it would probably already have an identification # on it.

the days of going in an saying you have a homemade trailer are gone the reason for the inspection is to find out if it has a serial number on it if not they will issue one an weigh it some counties do not know the law but all trailers no matter the weight need a serial number .if it doesnt have a serial number how does law enforcement know how to find the owner without the information.

the days of going in an saying you have a homemade trailer are gone the reason for the inspection is to find out if it has a serial number on it if not they will issue one an weigh it some counties do not know the law but all trailers no matter the weight need a serial number .if it doesnt have a serial number how does law enforcement know how to find the owner without the information.

I have a “shop built” utility or golf cart trailer. I vaguely remember a deputy quickly looking it over a long time ago when I needed it tagged. When the online renewal service came along it would not work because of no Vin. So have to renew through the county which is a pain. The online service has spoiled me since I am 22 miles from the Courthouse!

I miss those days. Sure made things simple.

not titled but still have to be registered for tags.

I got mine trailer titled as I bought it from another state. Need the VIN number so I thought I would get it titled while I was at it. I had the choice of not getting it titled. This was in September.

I have a small utility trailer with no VIN. I just mail the renewal in.

I have my utility trailer renewal in front of me right now and it says "no inspection required" and the space for the VIN is blank. The YR/Make/Body Style says 2001/HMDE/BT. I assume that BT means boat trailer, even though it's a tilt bed utility trailer. I still have the original registration paper work and it says the same.