Utah Registration

[Forrest747]

http://dmv.utah.gov/trailers

Trailers

Last Updated on October 24, 2012
General Information
Travel Trailers/Tent Trailers

General Information
Every trailer operated in Utah, weighing more than 750 lbs, must be title and registered. Each trailer owner must pay a registration fee at the time of initial registration and annually thereafter. Uniform fees also apply.

Requirements for Titling:
Title
Form TC-656 "Utah Title Application"
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspections, if being titled in Utah for the first time. See Form TC-661 "Certificate of Inspection". (New trailers sold by a Utah dealer are exempt)
At least one person whose name will appear on new title

Requirements for Registration:
Payment of age-based uniform fee
Payment of registration fees

Exemptions to Registration:
Owned and operated by non-residents of Utah
Owned and operated by the United States government
Weighs less than 750 lbs


Travel Trailers/Tent Trailers
Every travel trailer and tent trailer operated in Utah must be title and registered. Each trailer owner must pay a registration fee at the time of initial registration and annually thereafter. Uniform fees also apply.

Requirements for Titling:
Title
Form TC-656 "Utah Title Application"
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspections, if being titled in Utah for the first time. See Form TC-661 "Certificate of Inspection". (New trailers sold by a Utah dealer are exempt)
At least one person whose name will appear on new title

Requirements for Registration:
Payment of age-based uniform fee
Payment of registration fees

Exemptions to Registration:
Owned and operated by non-residents of Utah
Owned and operated by the United States government


Additional information from the DMV.
If a trailer used for personal use weighs less than 750 lbs with nothing on it then Utah does not require it to be registered. If it weighs more than that then yes we do require it to be registered.
If however, you are planning on using it in other states on vacation or something then make sure that they are ok with it not having plates.
Also if it is used for a business then it has to be registered regardless of the weight.


If you have any further questions please feel free to contact our Customer Service Department for further assistance from any of our phone representatives Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at 801-297-7780 or 1-800-368-8824.
Thank you,

Division of Motor Vehicles
Utah State Tax Commission

[PSBreen]

Sadly like most government regulations they are open to interpretation. The guy I talked to quoted two lines of Utah Code 41-1A that contradict each other.

41-1a-504. Exceptions to title requirements for vehicles. This says that under 750 lbs does not require registration
(3) a trailer of 750 pounds or less unladen weight and not designed, used, and maintained for hire for the transportation of property or persons

41-1a-102. Definitions. Gives the Utah definition of a Travel Trailer which he said would require registration regardless of weight. Initial cost for a trailer 3 years old or less is around $210 and drops a few dollars every 3 years.
(65) "Travel trailer," "camping trailer," or "fifth wheel trailer" means a portable vehicle without motive power, designed as a temporary dwelling for travel.

It really sounds like there really isn't a hard fast rule. Guess some days you just can't win. Guess I better start saving some money.

[TENNJIM]

It really is confusing. Makes one wonder whether a teardrop is a temporary dwelling for travel or a utility trailer with a box on it for personal use. Apparently there is no definition of a temporary dwelling for travel-I understand that in some states this means self-contained.

Jim B / Utah