Free Maryland Trailer Bill of Sale Form (MVA 2026 PDF)

Q: Do utility trailers have titles in Maryland?

Yes. Under Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 13-102, all trailers (including utility, cargo, equipment, boat, livestock, and homemade trailers) operated on Maryland public roads must be titled and registered with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA).

Q: Does a trailer need a safety inspection in Maryland?

Only if the trailer has a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 2,500 pounds. Under Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 23-107, trailers with a manufacturer's GVWR of 2,500 lbs or less are strictly exempt from the mandatory Maryland safety inspection requirement.

Q: How much is the tax on a trailer in Maryland?

Maryland assesses a 6% Vehicle Excise Tax under Md. Code Transp. § 13-809 based on the total purchase price established by this Bill of Sale. If the trailer is 7 years old or older, the tax is based on the purchase price or the statutory minimum taxable value ($640 minimum, yielding a $38.40 minimum tax).

Q: Does a Maryland trailer bill of sale need to be notarized?

Yes, Section F must be notarized under Md. Code Transp. § 13-809 if the trailer is less than seven (7) years old and the sales price is $500 or more below clean retail book value, or if the Certificate of Title lacks an official assignment space for the purchase price.

Q: Do trailer license plates stay with the trailer in Maryland?

No. Under Md. Code Transp. § 13-703, Maryland license plates belong exclusively to the seller and do not transfer with the trailer. The seller must remove their plate prior to transfer and return it to an MVA office or transfer it to another trailer in their name.

FORM SBF-MD-TRL Statutory Year: 2026

Md. Code Ann., Transp. §§ 13-102, 13-809 (6% Tax) & 23-107

STATE OF MARYLAND STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Utility, Cargo, Boat, Equipment, Livestock & Homemade Trailer Bill of Sale

Compliant with Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) & Form VR-181 Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby formally acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the trailer described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & County / Independent City of Sale

State:

Maryland Jurisdiction *:

Section B: Complete Trailer Identification & Weight Specifications

Year Built *

Make / Builder *

Model Name / #

Trailer Body Type *

Length (ft)

Width (ft)

Axles

MD Plate # (Seller retains plate under Md. Code § 13-703)

Empty / Tare Wt (lbs)

Carrying Capacity (lbs)

Gross Wt / GVWR (lbs) *

MARYLAND SAFETY INSPECTION RULE (Md. Code Ann., Transp. § 23-107): Trailers with a manufacturer's GVWR of 2,500 lbs or less are STRICTLY EXEMPT from Maryland safety inspection. Trailers with a GVWR greater than 2,500 lbs require a certified Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate prior to registration.

Trailer Identification Number (17-Digit VIN / MVA Serial #) *:

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical domicile address

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

County / City *

Phone Number

MD Soundex / DL #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) Must match MVA title application

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

County / City *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section D: Financial Consideration & Maryland 6% Excise Tax Valuation

Total Price (USD) *:

Sale Date *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift/Trade

Statutory "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer (Md. Code Ann., Commercial Law § 2-316)

SOLD STRICTLY "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY: The Buyer agrees that this trailer is sold in its present "AS-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER APPARENT OR CONCEALED. The Seller disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, roadworthiness, or fitness for a particular purpose. Seller assumes no liability for post-sale repairs, frame fatigue, axle alignment, wheel bearings, coupler safety, suspension, brake systems, or lighting. Buyer confirms inspection of said trailer or voluntary waiver thereof.

Section E: Authorized Signatures & Certification Under Penalty of Perjury

I, the Seller, certify under penalty of perjury under Maryland law (Md. Code Crim. Law § 9-101) that I am lawful owner with full authority to transfer this trailer, free of liens except as noted. I, the Buyer, acknowledge acceptance of trailer and receipt of Certificate of Title.

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match title

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature Must match MVA application

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

Section F: State of Maryland Notary Public Acknowledgment / Jurat Compliant with Maryland MVA Form VR-181 Notary Specifications

STATE OF MARYLAND COUNTY / CITY OF:

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day by the Seller and/or Buyer named above, who proved to me through government photo identification to be the person(s) who executed the foregoing statutory trailer bill of sale.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal / Stamp Here

FORM SBF-MD-TRL (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Md. Code Transp. §§ 13-102, 13-809, 23-107 • Keep for Maryland MVA Title Records PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Maryland MVA 3-Step Private Trailer Title Transfer Guide

Follow Maryland statutory requirements to register utility, cargo, equipment, boat, or homemade trailers and properly apply the 2,500 lbs GVWR inspection exemption.

Execute Title & Form SBF-MD-TRL

The seller signs off on the original Maryland Certificate of Title and executes this Form SBF-MD-TRL Bill of Sale. If the trailer is less than 7 years old and sold for $500 or more below clean retail book value, Section F must be notarized under Md. Code Transp. § 13-809.

Apply 2,500 Lb. Inspection Rule

Under Md. Code Transp. § 23-107, trailers with a GVWR of 2,500 lbs or less are exempt from safety inspection. If GVWR exceeds 2,500 lbs, the trailer must pass an inspection at an authorized station. The seller physically removes and retains their trailer plate under Md. Code § 13-703.

MVA / Tag Agent Filing & Plates

Buyer submits title, notarized Bill of Sale, inspection certificate (only if GVWR > 2,500 lbs), and pays the 6% Maryland Vehicle Excise Tax ($100 title fee + registration fees) to receive license plates at an MVA branch or licensed Tag & Title service.

Statutory Summary

Maryland Trailer Sale Legal Requirements

Document / Requirement	Governing Statute	Legal Status	Statutory Purpose
Maryland Certificate of Title	Md. Code Transp. § 13-102	Mandatory	Primary legal document transferring ownership of utility, cargo, and boat trailers.
MVA Form VR-181 Bill of Sale	Md. Code Transp. § 13-809	Mandatory Under 7 Yrs / < Book	Establishes purchase price for 6% excise tax when < 7 yrs old and $500+ below book value.
Safety Inspection (GVWR > 2,500 lbs)	Md. Code Transp. § 23-107	Mandatory if > 2,500 lbs	Commercial / heavy trailers require inspection; trailers ≤ 2,500 lbs GVWR are exempt.
Notary Public Acknowledgment	Md. Code Transp. § 13-809(a)(2)	Mandatory If Triggered	Both parties must sign before a notary if trailer is < 7 yrs old and price is $500+ below value.
Seller Plate Surrender / Transfer	Md. Code Transp. § 13-703	Mandatory	License plates remain with seller; must be returned to MVA or transferred to another trailer.

FAQs

Maryland Trailer Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Do utility trailers have titles in Maryland?

Does a trailer need a safety inspection in Maryland?

How much is the tax on a trailer in Maryland?

Does a Maryland trailer bill of sale need to be notarized?

Do trailer license plates stay with the trailer in Maryland?