Has anybody tried getting trailer registered in ME who does not live there?

[dubois9837]

I have been looking at the cheapest/easiest way to get a M101A2 trailer registered in PA. I noticed that alot of people both private and commercial who do not live in Maine choose to have their trailers registered there. You only have to look at trailer plates on a interstate or highway to see a large number of them are from Maine. There are several notarys that service out of state people there and everything can be done through mail or online. No trailer inspections are required. It seems that getting a trailer registered there is crazy simple there compared to alot of other states. I've looked into it and here are some things I have discovered:
1. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A RESIDENT OF MAINE TO HAVE YOUR TRAILER REGISTERED AND/OR TITLED THERE.
2. YOU ONLY HAVE TO HAVE A BILL OF SALE ( GL INVOICE ) TO GET PLATES AND REGISTRATION.
3. TITLES ARE NOT REQUIRED ON 1994 OR OLDER TRAILERS.
4. FEE IS $90.00 FOR 5 YEAR REGISTRATION. TITLES COST $45.00 BUT ARE NOT REQUIRED FOR 94 OR OLDER.

HOMEMADE TRAILER REGISTRATION IS EVEN EASIER THAN THE ABOVE.

I wish I would have had this information before I shelled out $60 for a SF-97 ( PA requires a SF-97 ) and I could of saved myself alot of money. Here in PA I am looking at $60 for SF-97 and another approx. $125 for a title, plate, taxes for 5 year plate or about $190 total.

Next trailer I purchase I think I will try the ME registration. Anyone have any experience with it?

 

[doghead]

Yup

Just Google, "maine trailer registration out of state"

 

[Columbia10]

I just registered an M101a1 I bought from a local fella that's a member of this board. He directed me to Maine, and it was such a piece of cake. It beats the heck out of going through all of the hoops that Maryland puts you through. All I needed was a bill of sale prints from their site (no notary). I faxed it over, paid Maine sales tax, and received 5 year plates in about 2 weeks time. So simple. It's the only way to go IMHO.

 

[dubois9837]

Thanks, I will absolutely get Maine plates next time. Unfortunately, I already submitted the SF-97 for the trailer I just purchased, and I really wouldnt be saveing much money by going through Maine now because of it. But next time, it will be a no brainer.

I have some friends that purchased some of these trailers from individuals with just a bill of sale and my state pretty much laughed at them when they tried to register them. Impossible to register in PA without SF-97 and or certificut of title. This should give them a way to put them on the road and be legal.

 

[doghead]

They should be able to use their Maine registration , to register their trailer in PA later if they choose to. Simple...

 

[Ripcord01]

All they would have to do is take the Maine registration to the local Penn DMV office and switch the registrar state. You will need your paid tax receipt. Why mess with all that when you can have the most simple and legal way. Just PAY the taxes..

 

[dubois9837]

The taxes are not the problem. ME 5%, PA 6%. Here in PA it is absolutely impossible to register a mil-surp trailer unless you purchase it from GL yourself and request the SF-97 or you purchase from a private seller and they purchased it from GL and requested the SF-97 and obtained a title. A purchase from a private seller who does not have a title in hand and only provides a bill of sale WILL NOT WORK. It can not be titled or registered. You also can not title as homemade because in PA homemade title applications must include sales receipts for EVERY part used to construct the trailer. They are also clear that homemade means constructed by individual and not by a manufacturer. No sales receipts, no homemade title. This is one reason I see lots of Mil-surp trailers being sold cheaply in PA with no title, just bill of sale. They purchase them not knowing the laws and then are stuck with them. So being able to register in Maine is great news to alot of people.

 

[therealsundance]

It's so easy even a caveman could do it!


Sold several trailers to people in Md and directed them all the Maine for cheap and easy Plates.

Trailer Registrations for Individuals and Fleets Countrywide - MaineTrailerRegistrations.com

 

[midcounty]

I just did my M871 flat bed. Paid sales tax plus 40 bucks for two years. Overnighted application and m/o on a Monday and had my tag eight days later. I won't register any of my trailers anywhere else.

 

[Ripcord01]

I have two trailer tagged and registered in MA. Who cares what PA says. there are always ways and means for all the caveman to have plates..

 

[papercu]

Just gotta say that EVER time I read one of these threads that it makes the heat and humidity of Georgia just a little bit better. Wayne

 

[Castle Bravo]

Do most of the states you guys live in allow out of state plates for residents? I know my state does not if the vehicle is present for more than 6 months of the year.

 

[doghead]

CB, that is a real issue, but to at least get "paperwork", the Maine thing is a decent way to go for many.

 

[gunboy1656]

If you can get your paperwork back in 8 days, that gives you 6 months to get it retitled in your state. I went the proper way and starting to kick myself, I am at 2 months.

 

[Castle Bravo]

If you can get your paperwork back in 8 days, that gives you 6 months to get it retitled in your state. I went the proper way and starting to kick myself, I am at 2 months.

I had not considered that route... Sounds like a plan.

 

[Oros35]

I got my M101A2 titled in PA with the SF-97. Was a piece of cake although probably not the cheapest way.

Biggest headache I found was that I had to take the trailer to the Notary so they could verify the VIN themselves. So I took it down to them without a plate (not a big deal but just a pain) PA doesn't make it easy.

I have another that I may go the other route, but I already have the SF-97 form so I might as well just get the PA title for it.

 

[Katahdin]

Honestly this irritates the heck out of me. I'm a small government guy and IMHO Maine state workers have better things to do then process trailer registrations and maintain plate number databases for non-residents. Time to write another letter to my State Rep!

 

[emmado22]

It doesnt look to me like Maine seems to mind getting the revenue from the out of state "work" though...

 

[Castle Bravo]

Honestly this irritates the heck out of me. I'm a small government guy and IMHO Maine state workers have better things to do then process trailer registrations and maintain plate number databases for non-residents. Time to write another letter to my State Rep!

I think you're looking at it completely the wrong way - With this setup, non-residents pay for your roads without ever putting miles on them.

 

[Katahdin]

At $12.50/per plate I don't think Maine is rolling in the dough and filling our State employee retirement coffers. How much revenue are your states losing?

I'm pretty sure this loophole is a leftover glitch from 30 years of Democratic Rule.