Selling Trailer with Expired Tag

[wyealbert]

I am selling my fifth wheel (located in Maryland) to a buyer who lives in California. My tag has expired and I am trying to find a way to avoid renewing a 2-year registration, but I want the buyer not to have to worry about being pulled over for an expired tag. He is taking the unit back to California where it will be registered there. If I ask the Maryland DMV, they will likely say to just renew my Maryland registration. That seems like a waste of money for me!

[westend]

Tom N wrote:
I think it's illegal in all states to use plates from the previous owner.

When you transfer the registration/title the notary will be able to issue a temporary tag/plate to the new owner.

Not true in MN. The usual procedure is the buyer and seller both sign title in appropriate spots. The seller detaches the buyer's signature tab and the buyer retains the rest. IIRC, the buyer has 14 days to register and can drive using the plate and tag on the car. Sometimes, there is not a new plate issued. The new owner drives with the existing plate, becoming responsible for new tag when due.

[monkey44]

I agree - pretty much -- that's why my ending statement was -- GO to the DMV with the buyer and get OFF the title. Doesn't matter what the buyer does after that.

[mowermech]

monkey44 wrote:
Haven't read all the posts - but registration tag has nothing to do with ownership of a trailer. The owner title is what matters, and the registration can be in any entity (individual, company, whatever), whether it's the owner or not.

When you sign title to any other entity, cancel your registration or you can be on the hook ... it's the buyer responsibility to title and register after a sale - and I mean, one minute after the sale. I'd go to the DMV with the buyer and arrange the paperwork - temporary or whatever the state laws demands.

And again, not necessarily!
When I sell or otherwise transfer the title to a vehicle titled in Montana, I keep a copy of the Bill Of Sale. There is no provision for notification to the DMV that I SOLD IT. If something happens before the new owner transfers the title, the BOS is my proof that I no longer have an liability for the vehicle.
Yes, I certainly HAVE had that happen! The buyer wanted me to leave my plates on the vehicle, and nice dummy that I am, I did it. A couple weeks later, the buyer drove off without paying for gas. The clerk got the license number, and a Deputy Sheriff came to my door wanting to know why I didn't pay for my fill up.
BUT, not only could I prove that I wasn't in town that day, BUT I had my copy of the Bill Of Sale, with the buyers name and address on it, AND the date of sale. The Deputy made a copy of the
BOS, reminded me of how stupid it was to leave my plates on the vehicle, and left. No problem for me.
Again, title and registration procedures are VERY state specific. What I can and/or must do has absolutely no bearing on what somebody is, say, Washington State can and/or must do!

[monkey44]

Haven't read all the posts - but registration tag has nothing to do with ownership of a trailer. The owner title is what matters, and the registration can be in any entity (individual, company, whatever), whether it's the owner or not.

When you sign title to any other entity, cancel your registration or you can be on the hook ... it's the buyer responsibility to title and register after a sale - and I mean, one minute after the sale. I'd go to the DMV with the buyer and arrange the paperwork - temporary or whatever the state laws demands.

[wyealbert]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. My tag goes back to Maryland MVA.

[Dtank]

mowermech wrote:

phillyg wrote:
You should remove your tag and the buyer should take care of his own tag, temporary or other.

In Montana (and other states), yes. The license plate belongs to the registered owner. In California (and other states), no. The license plate belong to the vehicle, and stays on it when sold.
I don't know about Maryland.
In Montana, the Bill Of Sale and signed title is proof of purchase and temporary registration for 40 days.
Again, I don't know about Maryland.
Title and registration procedures are VERY state specific. What you "know" to be true may not apply to another state!

Good answer, Mo!

When a vehicle is sold in CA, the plate stays with the vehicle.
It is then registered to the new owner (same plate).

The new owner could pay extra for personalized plates, which would require turning in the existing plates.

The seller is responsible for notifying the DMV of the sale.

Don't see any problem with the out-of-state owner *not* renewing the registration.
CA will get their fees and 9% sales tax - and everybody should be happy.

However, if the sale transpired in CA (CA plates, but not current registration), "somebody" would be responsible to pay back fees and penalties to bring the expired registration current.

Also, vehicles not being used or driven on a street, road, etc. are eligible for "Non-operation" status - no registration fees due until the owner wishes to operate it again. Then the current year's registration is due.
It does *NOT* apply to trailers.

Change of subject.......
With most of CA being a year-round camping mecca - and LOTS of RVs of all types for sale, changing hands, etc......*WHY* would a CA resident be purchasing a 5th wheel in Maryland?..:h

On edit: I could understand a unique 5th - like a New Horizons, DRV or? - that are *very* few and far between............or

Maybe there's some other good reason - but be sure to make sure you get cash or know that his cashier's check (or?) has cleared your bank and funds are verified and in your account *before* the trl is released.

Be really suspicious if he says he's Jerry Brown's son!..:W

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[larry_barnhart]

Washington st is as Cummins stated so the seller sends to the state the sale and amount and date but my neighbor and friend since birth traded a car for a new car at a dealer. One year later the car was still in his name. Do not know how that happened. I have had a buyer ask me to not date the paper work.

that did not happen.

chevman

[Cummins12V98]

Dr Quick wrote:
If you renew the registration, and an accident happens, guess WHO will be sucked into a law suit? Trailer is still legally yours, until new owner registers it in his name. Could you not express mail the title to new owner, assuming that he has paid you a good down payment? He could then register trailer in his state and bring a plate with him.

You fill out in person or on line transfer of sale when selling any thing that has a title that will release you of any liability.

[RGar974417]

In Pennsylvania,you go to a Notary Service where they will take care of the sale, taxes and registration for the new owner.They will give the buyer a new tag right there.Not sure how Maryland works.A few years back
I bought a trailer in jersey and the dealer gave me a temporay tag.Then I had 30 days to register it in Pa when I got back.

[ktmrfs]

Tom N wrote:
I think it's illegal in all states to use plates from the previous owner.

NOT true. at least in Oregon, the plate can remain with the vehicle and when you go to DMV you can either have that plate transferred to you as a new owner or get a new plate.

Personally, I always take the plate off and let the new buyer get a temporary plate. But I've bought several used vehicles complete with the plate, and when I went to DMV, unless I asked, they wouldn't issue a new plate, but just changed regisration information.

As a buyer it saves new owner money since all you pay for is title tansfer and not registration/plate fees since you don't need to pay those till the plate expires.

As a seller, you then can't transer that plate to another vehicle and have to pay for a new plate.

When I gave our Duramax to our son, we both kept our plates. Mine with almost 2 years left went on the new duramax, saved me 2 yrs registration, Son took the plates off his s-10 and transferred them to my old duramax, and again saved about 2 years registration fees

[mowermech]

ChopperBill wrote:
I'm just throwing this out there, I don't do it. I know guys that due to the high price of licensing a vehicle around here swap plates back and forth from a utility trailer to their RV trailer. Not honest but you asked for ideas.

Once again, states differ. In Montana, ALL trailer license plates are PERMANENT! The current owner never has to worry about expired registration! When the trailer is sold, the seller keeps his plate, and the buyer gets a new PERMANENT plate.
Also, a utility trailer will often have the small plate, but a TT or fiver will usually have the large plate.
I'm not sure the title can be transferred without paying for registration and getting a new plate.

[FlatBroke]

I'm just throwing this out there, I don't do it. I know guys that due to the high price of licensing a vehicle around here swap plates back and forth from a utility trailer to their RV trailer. Not honest but you asked for ideas.

[C-Bears]

Maybe some states are different. In Illinois, and most other states I am familiar with (which has already been posted here) the plates does not transfer to the new vehicle owner.

Actually, in most states if the new buyer is driving down the road with your old plate on the vehicle and gets stopped, the officer will probably give him a citation for "no valid registration".

[mowermech]

phillyg wrote:
You should remove your tag and the buyer should take care of his own tag, temporary or other.

In Montana (and other states), yes. The license plate belongs to the registered owner. In California (and other states), no. The license plate belong to the vehicle, and stays on it when sold.
I don't know about Maryland.
In Montana, the Bill Of Sale and signed title is proof of purchase and temporary registration for 40 days.
Again, I don't know about Maryland.
Title and registration procedures are VERY state specific. What you "know" to be true may not apply to another state!