In general, the procedures to register and title a light-duty trailer are the same as registering and titling a vehicle. (Light-duty trailers include boat trailers, ATV trailers, and snowmobile trailers, camper trailers, utility trailers, and other small trailers.)

However, there are some differences

• insurance is not required for non-commercial trailers
• there are special requirements to register a custom or homemade trailer
• there are machines and other devices that are similar to trailers or that look like trailers that don't need to be registered (see Trailer-type Vehicles Not Requiring Registration (PDF) (MV-274))

The annual fee is $5.39 for every 500 pounds or fraction of 500 pounds, maximum gross weight, with a minimum annual fee of $14.38. The fee is prorated on a daily basis.

You may also need to pay taxes and plate fees.

The DMV issues titles for trailers that are

• over 999 lbs
• model year 1973 and newer

Trailers under 999 lbs or older than model year 1973 will be issued a transferable registration as proof of ownership.

See Equipment Required for Trailers (PDF) (MV-529C).

Your trailer must have an annual safety inspection. A DMV-licensed inspection station that inspects passenger vehicles and other light-duty vehicles can inspect a trailer. The inspector will give you the inspection sticker. Carry the inspection sticker in the vehicle that tows the trailer.

DMV requires insurance for commercial trailers.  This includes agricultural class vehicles and trailers registered with an agricultural registration.