Oldragbaggers wrote:There are a lot of states that don't title certain things, like boats under a certain length, trailers under a certain weight, or vehicles over a certain age. But all states, in regards to vehicle transfer, honor the laws and procedures of the state the vehicle was previously registered in. And of course all states have access to what the laws are in all other states. So if you are transferring a vehicle from a state that is a "no title state" for the vehicle in question, and you present whatever the correct documentation would be in the state the vehicle is coming from, that documentation should be adequate to get new documentation title/registration in the state you are transferring the vehicle to. Even though your vehicle was not issued a title in the previous state, if titles are required for that vehicle in the new state, they will issue one. Where you would run into a problem is if you had only a registration from a state that normally DOES issue a title for that particular vehicle.
I'm aware of this.
I'm not denying that it would be possible to get a title.
I'm saying that it would involve more than simply handing them a registration card and saying "here, this is mine now. Give me a title."
I can't speak to TN and MD, but PA is anal about EVERYTHING.
Particuarly over the last 10 years where identity theft is an issue.
PA requires notarized signatures of the seller and buyer on everything.
I bought my trailer from somebody living in Ohio, but they had moved from out west. Ohio never required them to transfer title to Ohio so they didn't. The state where it was registered had a title but, unlike PA, there was no place on it for a notary to sign.
I had to get a notarized bill of sale and I STILL needed an enhanced inspection before the state would issue a title.
I'm just astounded that one could get a title for a bike with nothing more than a registration card.
I am NOT saying it didn't happen. Just simply can't imagine how it happened.
All of this would suggest that I could take the registration card from Maine, which is a no-title state, and simply take it to a notary here in PA and say give me a title and that would be it.
Len, if you're still reading this, have you tried getting a title on the trailers you've gone the maine route with in PA? If so, what did it involve?
TJ, I wasn't implying that you were telling anyone else not to do it. And good information is always appreciated. I just got the impression that you were very uncomfortable with the process so suggested that maybe it wasn't right for you. But others have used it successfully for a number of years and have no problem with it.
I am uncomfortable with it. Not because it bypasses PA regulations. Lord knows I've given them enough money over the years. But, because it DOESN'T bypass PA regulations.
Not in all cases, at least. It simply creates a situation where you're not likely to be caught violating them.
My only point in this was to not assume that this works for everybody. To check with the laws in your state before doing it and make sure.
I'm sure the folks over in Maine are quite knowledeable about the laws in THEIR state. I'm also quite sure that they know what it takes to transfer something from PA to there. I do not assume that they know every detail about our laws and can tell me with any real certainty whether what I'd be doing conforms with every possible law that a state may have on the issue.
It's up to the individual to make sure they're in compliance, not Maine.
Now, if you really can get a title from nothing more than a registration card from a no-title state, then that's a different issue entirely.
Which is why I'm curious if Len has actually inquired about what all would be necessary to get a title here in PA on those trailers he's done this with.
I suspect, in addition to the usual title transfer stuff it will require an enhanced inspection. But, if that's not the case I'm sure many of us would like to know.