New York Trailering Rules

[fried1765]

If I read David's post correctly, I think he meant that if you're pulling that Maine trailer in the state of Florida and you're Florida licensed, Florida resident or Florida tow vehicle is when you're in for a potential problem.

I wonder how "David" reached his Florida conclusion.
Nothing I have posted has ever indicated that I tow anything in Florida.
But really: In Florida, it is not legal to tow my personal 14K equipment trailer, registered in Maine, with a Florida registered non commercial vehicle, while a Florida resident, with a Florida driver license?
Ya think???
Where did that law come from?

 

[Howling]

There is two issues with this trailer plates questions.

1 - Is it legal? Most states apply property/ excise tax, inspections and other regulations to trailers. Some states the tax is part of the registration fee. Other states it is separate. The primary storage location determines the what state applies. Storing a trailer in NY with FL plates may could be an illegal avoidance of NY taxes and fees.

2 - Will you get caught? Depends on tow vehicle, location and luck. As stated in FL truck with FL plates and trailer with ME plates will get local police attention. Same combination in NY probably will not get attention. Here in MA many locations watch for NH plates because of people avoiding insurance requirements and taxes.

 

[chas0218]

There is two issues with this trailer plates questions.

1 - Is it legal? Most states apply property/ excise tax, inspections and other regulations to trailers. Some states the tax is part of the registration fee. Other states it is separate. The primary storage location determines the what state applies. Storing a trailer in NY with FL plates may could be an illegal avoidance of NY taxes and fees.

2 - Will you get caught? Depends on tow vehicle, location and luck. As stated in FL truck with FL plates and trailer with ME plates will get local police attention. Same combination in NY probably will not get attention. Here in MA many locations watch for NH plates because of people avoiding insurance requirements and taxes.

Well I will say I got pulled over for having a loud exhaust in NY while pulling a Florida registered trailer to a NYS resident. All I got was you better fix your exhaust and let off. I'm 33 years old so I don't think my age played a role other than my truck looking like a typical rusted NYS truck and having a 26' ocean boat behind me.

He asked me various questions about the trailer and registration like if I had it and who owned it. At the time it was registered in my FIL name (NYS resident) and I didn't have the registration. He asked why it was registered in FL. and it was because it had to be registered there in order to transport it from FL to NY. Then I was asked why it wasn't registered in NY and I told him because it was registered in FL. Anyway he got answers to his questions. I asked if I did something wrong or I couldn't have it registered in FL. All he said there were no issues because the trailer wasn't out of registration, and get my exhaust fixed.

I'm not an endorsed CDL driver I have no idea what applies to the anyone that drives Tractor trailers/18 wheelers. In NYS you're supposed to have a trailer registered and inspected. I'm not sure I know anyone that gets their trailer inspected. Now for the Maine trailer registration. I know in NYS you can have trailer registered anywhere and be legal, you might get some guff from LEO but nothing on the books as far as I know that dictates a person must have their trailer registered in NY to legally use their trailer in NY.

 

[fried1765]

There is two issues with this trailer plates questions.

1 - Is it legal? Most states apply property/ excise tax, inspections and other regulations to trailers. Some states the tax is part of the registration fee. Other states it is separate. The primary storage location determines the what state applies. Storing a trailer in NY with FL plates may could be an illegal avoidance of NY taxes and fees.

2 - Will you get caught? Depends on tow vehicle, location and luck. As stated in FL truck with FL plates and trailer with ME plates will get local police attention. Same combination in NY probably will not get attention. Here in MA many locations watch for NH plates because of people avoiding insurance requirements and taxes.

"will get local Police attention"......
But is there anything illegal about it?

So......I own a trailer with Maine plates, that I may pull to Florida, with my Florida tow vehicle.
"Local police" will question that?
It just so happens that I own property in New England also, and have other vehicles registered there.
Will they send an investigator to New England to verify the registration on the vehicles in my 2 barns there?

 

[JJZ 109]

I wonder how "David" reached his Florida conclusion.
Nothing I have posted has ever indicated that I tow anything in Florida.
But really: In Florida, it is not legal to tow my personal 14K equipment trailer, registered in Maine, with a Florida registered non commercial vehicle, while a Florida resident, with a Florida driver license?
Ya think???
Where did that law come from?

Once again I think we're getting into a "what if" situation. You can "what if" any scenario to death. I can't speak for another poster. It was just my interpretation of his comment, not a defense of it. I'm not here to debate you or anyone else.
Besides, isn't the title of this topic "NY Trailering Rules"?

 

[fried1765]

The title of this topic is "NY Trailering Rules"
But..... the subject/issue would seem to carry over to many other, if not all states, also.

 

[mini14]

I've been reading these what if situations for years on many different forums and have yet to find a single post where anyone has gotten ticketed for having Maine plates. Afaik taxes go I have a ny title and paid sales tax on my Maine reg. Trailer. I don't have to pay road taxes because the truck I tow it with isn't required to. In nys it's called a hut permit.

 

[fried1765]

Hey JJZ,

DO tell me how this is legal! I am SO tired of New York State's "nannyism" (other than re: environmental and social issues) that I resent paying their (near highest) taxes.

Does one have to own property in Maine, to do this? If not, please regale me. I'm "all ears," as my dear, departed Grandpa was wont to say.

Fascinated.

My Hoe

Go to: Country Wide Trailer Registrations | We make the registration process simple!

 

[nyone]

Its simple. NY dosnt have a law on the books that says you need to register a trailer in the state you live in. It only states that the trailer needs to be registered.

If your looking to register your trailer in Maine jist google maine trailer registration. Basicly you send them your current title/bill of sale, a notorised power of attorney, they send you a transferable maine registration and a licence plate. When the plate expires in 5-25yrs they send you paperwork to get a new one in the mail. Its very simple, easy and cost effective.

 

[JJZ 109]

Go to: Country Wide Trailer Registrations | We make the registration process simple!

I used another outfit, but same idea. Been at it long enough to have renewed a couple of registrations. Like someone has already mentioned, I've heard rumors in the past about supposed "crackdowns" and how getting pulled over by the wrong LE officer will net you a ticket in NY. I have yet to experience it personally or know of anyone who has. In my particular corner of NY state there are Maine trailer plates everywhere. On everything from race car haulers to dump trailers to landscape trailers. I've yet to hear of anyone receiving a ticket.

Register - Maine Trailer Registrations

Its simple. NY dosnt have a law on the books that says you need to register a trailer in the state you live in. It only states that the trailer needs to be registered.

If your looking to register your trailer in Maine jist google maine trailer registration. Basicly you send them your current title/bill of sale, a notorised power of attorney, they send you a transferable maine registration and a licence plate. When the plate expires in 5-25yrs they send you paperwork to get a new one in the mail. Its very simple, easy and cost effective.

I've also sent in a manufacturer's certificate of origin with a bill of sale on a brand new, never registered anywhere trailer. A couple of times. That's how I cut NY completely out of the equation. One trailer bought in MA and another in PA. I saved money on the initial cost of the trailer. I saved on annual inspections and associated fees. I saved spending 8% sales tax and I went from $75 per year registration (varies by weight) to a straight $99 for 5 years. I own 3 trailers, I have 3 Maine plates.