
If you're planning to hit the road with a camper trailer in Missouri, you might be wondering if you need a license plate. Well, the good news is that in Missouri, license plates are not required on motor vehicles being towed, so your camper trailer is exempt! However, there are still some important things to keep in mind. Firstly, you must title and register your camper trailer within 30 days of purchase or arriving in the state, as Missouri law requires all trailers to be titled and registered, regardless of their weight or size. You'll also need to display lawful lights on your camper trailer when towing at night, and make sure it meets the state's requirements for taillights, reflectors, and a white license plate light. So, while you may not need a license plate, there are definitely some other key considerations to keep your camper trailer journey-ready and compliant with Missouri law.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
License plate required? | No, but the tow vehicle must display a valid license plate. |
Registration required? | Yes, within 30 days of purchase. |
Title required? | Yes, within 30 days of purchase. |
Insurance required? | No, but all drivers must have minimum liability insurance, including uninsured motorist insurance. |
Permanent registration available? | Yes, for a slightly higher fee. |
Permanent plate cost | $56 |
Lights | Two red taillights, two red reflectors, and a white license plate light are required on the rear. |
Width | Maximum of 102 inches on interstate highways and 96 inches on all other highways. |
Height | Maximum of 14 feet on interstate and specially designated highways and 13.5 feet on all other highways. |
Length | Maximum of 45 feet for a single motor vehicle, including load, and recreational vehicles. |
What You'll Learn
Missouri trailer registration fees
In the state of Missouri, you must register and title your trailer within 30 days of the date of purchase. If you do not, there is a title penalty of $25 on the 31st day after purchase, which increases by $25 for every 30 days of delay, up to a maximum of $200.
To title and register a trailer in Missouri, the owner must submit the following:
- The Certificate of Title or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO), properly signed over to you.
- A signed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108).
- An original paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment from your county of residence (or the city of St. Louis) for the previous year, if registering the trailer.
- A notarized Lien Release (Form 4809), if applicable.
In most cases, the applicant will submit a Certificate of Title or a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) as proof of ownership. However, there are exceptions:
- Out-of-State purchase: Some states do not title or register trailers. In these cases, the applicant must submit a bill of sale as proof of ownership. To verify whether a title or a bill of sale is required, you must provide the weight of the trailer, a description of the type of trailer, and the name of the state where the seller resides.
- Kit: A trailer purchased from a retailer (in- or out-of-state) as a kit will not normally come with an MSO. In this case, the applicant may submit a bill of sale or paid invoice.
- Farm Wagon: An applicant applying for title to a farm wagon may submit a bill of sale, paid invoice, or a statement with the unit description, name of the seller, purchase price, and all facts regarding how ownership was acquired.
Additionally, you must pay the state sales tax of 4.225% and any local sales tax due on the net purchase price (the purchase price less trade-in allowance or other allowance, if any). Local sales tax is based on the rate where you live, not where you bought the trailer. If you owned and operated the trailer in another state for at least 90 days before registering it in Missouri, no sales tax is due. If you have owned the trailer for less than 90 days and paid sales tax to another state that is less than the amount of Missouri state and local taxes, you will need to show proof of payment and pay the difference.
Finally, you must pay the applicable registration fee. Trailer registration fees in Missouri are as follows:
- $7.50 for a 1-year registration
- $22.50 for a 3-year registration
- $52.50 for a Permanent registration
There is also a $6 title processing fee and a $6 registration processing fee, if applicable.
If you constructed your own homemade trailer, you will not pay sales tax when you title the unit, but there are special inspection requirements. All homemade trailers must be inspected by either the Sheriff in your county of residence or by authorized personnel from the Missouri State Highway Patrol ($25 inspection fee). You must complete an Application for Vehicle/Trailer Identification Number Plate or Verification (Form 5062) at the time of inspection, which you can obtain from any Missouri license office.
To title a homemade trailer in Missouri, the owner must submit the following:
- A signed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108)
- A completed Application for Vehicle/Trailer Identification Number Plate or Verification (Form 5062)
- $25 inspection fee if the inspection was performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol
- $14.50 title application and processing fees
- $13.50 identification number plate and processing fees
An identification number plate will be issued to you at the time of application for the title and should be affixed to the tongue of the trailer’s frame.
Modifying Your Camper: What the Law Allows
You may want to see also
Trailer insurance requirements
While Missouri does not require you to carry trailer insurance, it is a good idea to get one to protect yourself from accidents and injuries involving your trailer. If you are worried about vandalism, theft, or damage to your trailer, you may want to consider taking out a separate comprehensive policy.
The type of trailer you have and how you use it will determine the kind of insurance coverage you need. If you use your trailer for business, you will need to cover it under your commercial trailer insurance. This includes trailers such as auto haulers, side dump trailers, dump body and transfer boxes, concession trailers, dry freight trailers, flatbed trailers, gooseneck trailers, livestock trailers, and logging trailers.
Some of the insurance coverage you may need for your trailer includes:
- Liability insurance: Covers medical expenses due to injury.
- Collision insurance: Covers damage from an accident.
- Comprehensive insurance: Covers things like hail and storm damage, theft, and vandalism.
Liability insurance is often overlooked because trailers do not have their own engine, but they can become unhitched and cause extensive damage. Your auto liability may or may not cover damage from your unhitched trailer. It is important to check with your insurance agent to see if your insurance company provides coverage while the trailer is in use and attached to your vehicle.
The amount of insurance you need depends on the type of trailer you own and its value. For example, if you have an expensive trailer, you may want full collision and comprehensive coverage in case of an accident or if someone steals the trailer. You may also want liability coverage in case the trailer becomes unhitched and causes bodily injury or property damage.
Trailer insurance costs vary widely depending on the value of the trailer and the amount of coverage desired. While you might be able to add a small utility trailer to your auto insurance for no additional cost, a more expensive trailer could cost a lot more to insure.
To get a better idea of the trailer insurance costs you can expect, determine the value of your trailer and how and when you will use it.
Truckers' Rear View: Seeing Behind a Camper While Towing
You may want to see also
Exemptions from titling and registration
In Missouri, certain types of trailers are exempt from titling and registration. These include:
- Certain hay trailers
- Farm wagons
- Kits
For hay trailers, it is unclear what "certain" means in this context, but it suggests that not all hay trailers are exempt.
For farm wagons, the owner may submit a bill of sale, paid invoice, or a statement with the unit description, seller's name, purchase price, and all facts regarding how ownership was acquired.
For kits, this refers to trailers purchased from a retailer (in- or out-of-state) that did not come with a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO). In this case, the owner may submit a bill of sale or paid invoice.
In addition to the above, there may be other specific circumstances where a trailer is exempt from titling and registration. For example, if the trailer was owned and operated in another state for at least 90 days prior to titling and registering in Missouri, no sales tax is due.
Mercedes-Benz: Pulling Power for Small Campers?
You may want to see also
Homemade trailer requirements
In the state of Missouri, all trailers, including camper trailers, must be titled and registered. This must be done within 30 days of purchase, or within 30 days of becoming a resident of the state. There is a penalty for late registration, which starts at $25 and increases by $25 every 30 days, up to a maximum of $200.
There are, however, some specific requirements for homemade trailers. Firstly, they must be inspected by the county sheriff or the Missouri State Highway Patrol. This inspection must be completed before applying for a certificate of ownership and comes with a $25 fee. If the inspection is done by the sheriff, the proceeds go to the county law enforcement fund or the county general revenue fund. If it is done by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the fee is paid to the director of revenue and goes to the state highway fund.
The sheriff or highway patrol will inspect the trailer and certify it as homemade. They may request that the owner provides documents or other evidence to support this. Once the trailer is certified, the owner must submit the following documentation to the Department of Revenue to obtain a title and register the trailer:
- A signed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108)
- A completed Application for Vehicle/Trailer Identification Number Plate or Verification (Form 5062)
- $25 inspection fee (if the inspection was performed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol)
- $14.50 title application and processing fees
- $13.50 identification number plate and processing fees
The total fees for titling and registering a homemade trailer in Missouri are $53, plus the $25 inspection fee if the Missouri State Highway Patrol performs the inspection.
Camper Shell Silverado: The Ultimate Adventure Companion
You may want to see also
Title transfer process
In Missouri, camper trailer owners are required to obtain a title and registration for their trailers. The process for transferring the title of a camper trailer in Missouri involves several steps and necessary documents. Here is a detailed guide on the title transfer process:
Obtaining Necessary Documents:
Firstly, ensure you obtain the necessary documents from the seller when completing the transaction. These include the current title, a bill of sale, and information about the seller, buyer, and trailer. If the trailer is new, request the certificate of origin from the manufacturer and the bill of sale. If it is a used trailer, the vehicle identification number (VIN) proof may also be required, especially if purchased from another state.
Filling Out the Required Forms:
You will need to fill out the Application for Missouri Title and Registration, also known as Form 108. Ensure that the VIN and odometer reading match the information on the original title. The purchase price must also align with the details on the title assignment and the application. If a Bill of Sale is provided, ensure it matches all other documents. Any discrepancies or alterations on the documents may result in the transfer being denied.
Required Fees and Taxes:
Determine the applicable fees and taxes for the title transfer. In Missouri, the title transfer fee is $11, and the registration fee is based on taxable horsepower, with an additional $7 processing fee. Additionally, a 4.225% state sales tax is levied on the purchase price, along with any applicable local taxes.
Submitting the Application:
Visit your local Department of Revenue License office in Missouri to submit your application and required documents. Bring the original title with the back assignment filled out, the completed Application for Missouri Title and Registration, a certificate of safety inspection, payment for all fees and taxes, and your driver's license.
Temporary and Permanent Registration:
Once your application and supporting documents have been verified, you will typically receive a temporary registration and license plate. The permanent versions will usually be mailed to you at a later date.
It is important to note that in Missouri, you have 30 days from the date of purchase to title and pay sales tax on your trailer. Failing to do so within this timeframe will result in a title penalty of $25 on the 31st day, increasing by $25 for every subsequent 30-day period, up to a maximum penalty of $200.
Effective Ways to Keep Mice Out of Your Camper
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, license plates are not required on motor vehicles being towed in Missouri.
Yes, all trailers must be registered and titled in Missouri, regardless of their weight or size. You have 30 days from the date of purchase to do so, after which there is a title penalty of $25 on the 31st day, increasing by $25 every 30 days, up to a maximum penalty of $200.
You will need:
- An Application for Missouri Title and License
- Title signed by the previous owner
- Original paid property tax receipt or statement of non-assessment for registration
- Payment for fees and taxes
- Proof of ownership
Trailer registration fees in Missouri are as follows:
- $7.50 for a 1-year registration
- $22.50 for a 3-year registration
- $52.50 for a Permanent registration