Small trailer - Does it need license?

shaley · Mar 6, 2011

I'd like to build a small trailer maybe 4' x 5' long for my walk behind ditch witch trencher. I'm in Virginia but I was wondering if your state allows for any type of 2 wheeled tow vehicle that doesn't require license plates?
If I can determine that such an animal exist I can then search the Va. vehicle code. thanks

George2615 · Mar 6, 2011

You'll have to ask your DMV since each state is different. Here in NY anything you tow behind a vehicle is considered a trailer and needs to be registered, plated, and insured. The way I read VA DMV law it says the trailer must be registered. See the link.

www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/trailerreg.asp

aczlan · Mar 6, 2011

George2615 said:
Here in NY anything you tow behind a vehicle is considered a trailer and needs to be registered, plated, and insured.

That is correct UNLESS it is something like a cement mixer or a wood splitter AND it doesn't have any storage (ie: a wood splitter with a toolbox has to be plated, but the same splitter without a toolbox doesn't). See the DMV Website for the full details.

Aaron Z

George2615 · Mar 6, 2011

That is correct UNLESS it is something like a cement mixer or a wood splitter AND it doesn't have any storage (ie: a wood splitter with a toolbox has to be plated, but the same splitter without a toolbox doesn't).

You are correct. I forgot about those items which are technically trailored.

Johnnyt321 · Mar 6, 2011

That's the same in Florida, trailers need to be registered unless it is like the above examples.

shaley · Mar 6, 2011

I searched the VA. DMV site and I don't think VA has the same exemptions. Thanks for all the help - the wood splitter is a good example. I'll keep checking.

sandman2234 · Mar 6, 2011

Funny, I have seen p/u trucks pulled over for not having a tag on the trailer (ie cement mixer) and have noticed more and more cement mixers with tags lately. So either that law has been changed or way too many people are paying taxes that they don't need to in Florida. Some of the more rural areas that I go thru, I wonder how some people get away with no tags (or light/fenders) that. I couldn't get away with crossing the street, so it may not be law, it may just be the local.
David from jax

wvpolekat · Mar 6, 2011

I would plate it. It won't cost that much, and will make sure that you don't have to explain it to officers who may not be aware of the ins and outs of the law.

Myself, the tags on my trailer have been dead for 3 years, never really think about it. Plate is pretty mangled, and that may help me with making it hard to tell.

bigdad · Mar 6, 2011

shaley said:
I'd like to build a small trailer maybe 4' x 5' long for my walk behind ditch witch trencher. I'm in Virginia but I was wondering if your state allows for any type of 2 wheeled tow vehicle that doesn't require license plates?
If I can determine that such an animal exist I can then search the Va. vehicle code. thanks

Tell em it's a hay rack and stick a slow moving triangle on th back of it.

kenmac · Mar 6, 2011

Like others have advised. Check with your DMV. In my state , anything on the road has to have a tag. Boat trailers don't have to have a tag as long the boat on the trailer has a current tag. No boat on boat trailer. Trailer is required to have a tag

zmoz · Mar 6, 2011

In Oregon, I'm pretty sure the rule is that if the loaded weight is less than 1800# then it doesn't need a plate. My boat comes in at about 2000#, never had a plate, never been pulled over...

lostcause · Mar 6, 2011

kenmac said:
Like others have advised. Check with your DMV. In my state , anything on the road has to have a tag. Boat trailers don't have to have a tag as long the boat on the trailer has a current tag. No boat on boat trailer. Trailer is required to have a tag

very similar to how some states handle front wheel car dollies. if you have a car on it, the vehicle just has to have a registration. if it is being hauled empty it is supposed to be registered.

Gordon Gould · Mar 7, 2011

Probably need tail lights, stop lights, backup lights, and plate lights too in order to register it.

beeforty · Mar 7, 2011

Also check for different classes of license plates Calif. has "Permanent Trailer" plate that registration is cheaper and only every 5 yrs I beleive instead of yearly. Converted a travel trailer to a flat bed cut my bill in half.

Natureboy · Mar 7, 2011

Not that this helps-but just shows where $ starved states are headed.

A NYS assemblyman recently floated a bill proposal requiring the licensing of all bicycles, requiring a license plate & yearly inspections for any bicycle in NYS. The fools actually thought about it for a week before it was shot down.:confused2:

Car Doc · Mar 7, 2011

shaley said:
I'd like to build a small trailer maybe 4' x 5' long for my walk behind ditch witch trencher. I'm in Virginia but I was wondering if your state allows for any type of 2 wheeled tow vehicle that doesn't require license plates?
If I can determine that such an animal exist I can then search the Va. vehicle code. thanks

I built a car trailer 20 years ago and decided I wanted a title so it was easier to prove it was mine had state patrol stamp a serial # in frame etc etc.

Long story short- paid license and tax's and insurance every year and it got real old.

When in reality in my state we don't have to license a trailer under 3000#gvw! (that's not exactly the description of a car trailer technically it weighs less empty its a gray area here)

I had a heck of a time taking that plate back OFF hahaha so find out for sure IF you need one. ymmv

DuckHunterJon · Mar 7, 2011

Interestingly enough, my friend has a fully optioned woodmiser lt 40 sawmill that tips the scales at 3200 lbs, but is somehow exempt from having to plate. This is in NY, and he triple verified it to be sure. Yet my little boat trailer that weighs in at 220 lbs needs to be inspected and registered every year. Go figure.

aczlan · Mar 7, 2011

DuckHunterJon said:
Interestingly enough, my friend has a fully optioned woodmiser lt 40 sawmill that tips the scales at 3200 lbs, but is somehow exempt from having to plate. This is in NY, and he triple verified it to be sure. Yet my little boat trailer that weighs in at 220 lbs needs to be inspected and registered every year. Go figure.

See my post above: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/2287352-post3.html

Aaron Z

GE222 · Mar 8, 2011

Usually for small trailers, because they are used to transport items, requires a plate. Things like splitters, cement mixers, etc., do not actually carry anything. Not having a plate; however, doesn't exempt the item from meeting DOT requirements, such a street legal tires and or lighting and turn signals.

94BULLITT · Mar 9, 2011

Yes it will need a plate. You can get a permanent tag for the price of 2 years. It will not need inspected if the gross weight is under 3000 pounds. If the gross weight is over 3000 pounds it will need brakes. I live in VA.