Jul
06
Registering and Titling a Boat and Registering a Boat Trailer
ByMy son bought a used boat. What does he need to do to register and title it?
- Complete the Vessel-boat Application form (the seller has to sign this form, along with the buyer).
- If the boat has never been titled, he’ll also need the seller to complete an Affidavit of Fact (it is only signed by the seller).
- Bring them and the Bill of Sale from the seller to the TPWD headquarters at 4200 Smith School Rd., Austin (or another TPWD office, it there is one closer to you). Be prepared to pay a registration fee based on the vehicles length and sales tax (6.25% of what he paid for the boat). He could mail the form(s) in along with a check, but I don’t recommend that, as it’s easy to get the amount that he owes them wrong.
- TPWD will give him two decals to place on his boat on the port and starboard (left and right) sides of the bow (the front). He’ll also need to display his registration number. The numbers and letters must be painted or applied as decals on the forward half of both sides of the hull. The numbers and letters need to be in block format at least 3 inches high and in a color that contrasts with the boat’s hull (you can my registration number in the below picture). If he needs to buy vinyl numbers and letters, I bought mine on Amazon. See https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0022ZYOGW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
To register the trailer:
If the trailer has never been registered, he’ll need a VIN inspection. A VIN inspection is a Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection/Form VTR-68-A. It is a physical identity verification conducted by law enforcement for specific title and registration purposes. Specific vehicles that require a VIN inspection include:
- Out-of-state vehicles being registered in Texas for the first time.
- Vehicles without a previously recorded title (including utility trailers that were used on a farm).
- Vehicles with bonded titles.
- Homemade trailers.
- Vehicles imported from out of the country.
For a VIN inspection, there is a $40 processing fee (payable only by money order or cashier’s check). For Williamson County, VIN inspections are only done weekly. Be prepared to wait. For the VIN inspection of our previously unregistered utility trailer I had 38 vehicles in front of me.
Depending on the trailer’s weight and whether it was purchased or home-built, the specific requirements and fees break down as follows:
- Gross Weight ? 4,000 lbs.: Only registration is required. You do not need a title, but you will need a bill of sale.
- Gross Weight > 4,000 lbs.: Titles are mandatory. You will need a certified empty weight certificate.
- Homemade/Shop-made Trailers: You must provide a bill of sale for parts, photographs of the trailer, and obtain a law enforcement VIN assignment (Form VTR-68-A).
- Weight > 7,500 lbs.: An annual safety inspection is required.
- Fees: Standard title application fee is $33 plus a $45.75 annual registration fee for most standard trailers, plus any applicable 6.25% sales tax.
After obtaining the VIN inspection (if applicable), he’ll need to register the trailer at the county where he lives. He’ll need to go to his local county tax assessor’s office and bring a completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U).
To quote Star Wars – May the Force be with you!
