Title Transfer Trailers

Gooseneck and semitrailers are subject to State Law requirements for a certificate of title and registration by the payment of license fees and ad valorem taxes. Utility trailers that are designed for pulling behind an automobile or pickup truck remain subject to Alabama registration only. (Code of Alabama, 1975, 40-12-252).

Exemptions for the title and tag requirements are limited to the following:

Boat Trailers
Farm Trailers: Trailers that are used exclusively for transporting farm products to and from the market or for transporting the personal property of the farmer for his own use on the farm.
Equipment Trailers: Trailers with permanently mounted equipment, such as a crane or well-drilling equipment. The trailer is not equipped for hauling supplies.
Beginning on July 1, 2009, utility trailers that are designed for pulling behind an automobile or pickup truck are exempt from Alabama title laws. Such trailers remain subject to registration fees and taxes.
Beginning on January 1, 2012, any manufactured home, semitrailer, travel trailer, or gooseneck trailer more than twenty (20) model years old is exempt from Alabama title laws. Such trailers remain subject to registration fees and taxes.

A sample of the necessary documents for title transfer for gooseneck and semitrailers is listed below. For additional information concerning registration and title provisions, you may wish to call the License Commissioner’s Office at (256) 233-6430 or the Alabama Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division.

NEW MANUFACTURED SEMITRAILER

Manufacturer Statement of Origin Issued to Dealer and Assigned to New Owner
Bill of Sale, From Dealer to New Owner
Visual Inspection At Courthouse or By Alabama Law Enforcement Officer, Motor Vehicle Inspection Form (MVT 5-10)(PDF, 63KB)

USED MANUFACTURED SEMITRAILER (Built On or After Model Year 2000) PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN ALABAMA

Alabama Certificate of Title Issued in Seller Name and Assigned to New Owner or Copy of Alabama Title Application MVT 5-1C Issued To New Owner
Bill of Sale From Seller to New Owner
Current Alabama Tag Registration, or Alabama Tag Number, Decal Number & Year, Renewal Month
No Visual Inspection Required at Courthouse

USED MANUFACTURED SEMITRAILER (Built On or After Model Year 2000) PREVIOUSLY TITLED IN ANOTHER STATE

Out-of-State Certificate of Title (If Titling State) Issued in Seller Name and Assigned to New Owner
Bill of Sale, From Seller to New Owner
Visual Inspection

USED MANUFACTURED SEMITRAILER (Built On or After Model Year 2000) PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED IN ANOTHER STATE, BUT EXEMPT FROM TITLE

Current Out-of-State Tag Registration Receipt (If Non-Titling State) Issued in Seller Name
Notarized Bill of Sale For Each Seller to Buyer Assignment
Visual Inspection

USED MANUFACTURED SEMITRAILER (Built On or After Model Year 2000) ITEM OF HUSBANDRY (FARM USE) AND EXEMPT FROM TITLE AND TAG REGISTRATION