Free Texas Trailer Bill of Sale Form (TxDMV 2026 PDF)

Q: Do you need a title to sell a trailer in Texas?

Under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 501, trailers with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 4,000 lbs or less are non-titled; they are transferred using this Texas Trailer Bill of Sale and the seller's previous registration renewal receipt. Trailers with a GVWR exceeding 4,000 lbs are titled motor vehicles and require the physical Texas Certificate of Title signed over in addition to this Bill of Sale.

Q: How do you register a trailer in Texas without a title?

If the trailer weighs 4,000 lbs or less (GVWR), Texas does not issue titles for it. To register, the buyer takes this signed and executed Bill of Sale (Form SBF-TX-TRL), a completed TxDMV Form 130-U, the seller's latest registration receipt, and a certified scale weight certificate (if the empty weight is not established) to the County Tax Assessor-Collector's office.

Q: How do you register a homemade trailer in Texas?

To register a homemade or shop-built trailer in Texas, the owner must complete a TxDMV Form VTR-269 (Trailer Verification Statement of Fact), obtain a certified public scale weight ticket showing the empty weight, have the trailer inspected by law enforcement (Form VTR-68-A auto-theft inspection) to receive a state-assigned VIN (starting with 'TEX'), and file Form 130-U at the County Tax Office.

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

While standard titled trailer transfers do not legally require notarization if the title is signed over cleanly, having Section F notarized is strongly recommended. Most Texas County Tax Assessor-Collector offices strongly recommend or require notarization for non-titled trailers (≤ 4,000 lbs), homemade trailers, or when registering a trailer without a previous registration receipt.

Q: What are the Texas trailer inspection and safety equipment rules?

In Texas, any trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of more than 7,500 lbs must pass an annual Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) vehicle safety inspection before registration renewal. Trailers must be equipped with working tail lamps, stop lamps, license plate illumination, reflectors, safety chains, and breakaway emergency brakes if equipped with electric brakes.

FORM SBF-TX-TRL Statutory Year: 2026

Tex. Transp. Code Chapters 501 & 502 • TxDMV Form 130-U Title Guidelines

STATE OF TEXAS STATUTORY TRAILER BILL OF SALE

Utility, Cargo, Equipment, Livestock & Boat Trailer Transfer Statement

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 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 & Location of Sale State of Texas

State:

Texas County *:

Section B: Complete Trailer Identification & Specifications TxDMV Statutory Classification

Year Built *

Make / Builder *

Model Name / Number *

Trailer Body Type *

Length (Deck Length) *

Width (Deck Width) *

Number of Axles *

TX License Plate #

TxDMV Weight Specifications • Empty (Tare) + Carrying Capacity = GVWR Title mandatory if GVWR > 4,000 lbs; Non-titled registration if ≤ 4,000 lbs

Empty Wt (Tare):

lbs

Carrying Capacity:

lbs

GVWR *:

lbs

Trailer VIN / Serial Number (17-Digit Factory VIN or TxDMV Assigned "TEX" ID) *:

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee) Must Match TxDMV Form 130-U

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical Address Only

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) For County Tax Registration

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section D: Financial Consideration & Payment Terms Basis for Texas 6.25% Motor Vehicle Sales Tax

Sale Price (USD) *:

Date of Sale *:

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

Section E: Statutory "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer & Roadworthiness Waiver Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 2.316 • Tex. Penal Code § 37.02

SOLD STRICTLY AS-IS, WHERE-IS: The Buyer agrees that this trailer is purchased in its present "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. The Seller disclaims all warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, roadworthiness, highway safety, structural frame integrity, axle alignment, wheel bearings, coupler/hitch safety, wiring/lighting, or brake performance. Buyer acknowledges having inspected, measured, and tested the trailer, or has knowingly waived this right. The Seller certifies under penalty of perjury under Texas law that Seller is lawful owner with full legal authority to transfer title and ownership, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, and adverse claims.

Section F: Authorized Signatures & State of Texas Notary Jurat Recommended for TxDMV Non-Titled & Homemade Registrations

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match title/registration

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature For TxDMV Form 130-U

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

STATE OF TEXAS COUNTY OF:

Before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared the Seller and/or Buyer named above, known or proved through government photo ID to be the person(s) whose name(s) are subscribed hereto, and acknowledged executing the same for the purposes and consideration expressed. Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of ________________, 2026.

Notary Public Signature

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Texas Notary Seal / Stamp Here

FORM SBF-TX-TRL (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Tex. Transp. Code § 501.001 & § 502.001 • Retain for TxDMV Form 130-U Filing PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

TxDMV 3-Step Trailer Title & Registration Guide

Follow Texas statutory requirements to complete your utility, cargo, or equipment trailer transfer and register legally at your County Tax Office.

Execute Bill of Sale & Sign Title

Execute Form SBF-TX-TRL with complete weight disclosures. If the trailer has a GVWR over 4,000 lbs, the seller signs over the original Texas Certificate of Title. If 4,000 lbs or less, provide the prior registration receipt.

Complete TxDMV Form 130-U

The buyer fills out TxDMV Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title and/or Registration). If registering a shop-built or homemade trailer, also complete Form VTR-269 (Statement of Fact for a Homemade Trailer).

File at County Tax Office in 30 Days

Submit the signed documents, certified weight ticket (if weight is unverified), and payment for the 6.25% Texas sales tax and registration fee to your County Tax Assessor-Collector within 30 days to avoid late penalties.

Statutory Summary

Texas Trailer Legal Requirements & Weight Thresholds

Trailer Category / Threshold	Governing Statute	Title Status	TxDMV Registration Requirements
Gross Weight > 4,000 lbs (GVWR)	Tex. Transp. Code § 501.021	Mandatory Title	Must be titled with TxDMV. Certificate of Title required for legal transfer.
Gross Weight ≤ 4,000 lbs (GVWR)	Tex. Transp. Code § 501.002	Non-Titled	Registration only. Transferred with Bill of Sale and previous registration receipt.
Homemade / Shop-Built Trailer	TxDMV Form VTR-269	Special Assigned VIN	Requires Form VTR-269, VTR-68-A auto-theft inspection, and assigned 'TEX' serial number.
Gross Weight > 7,500 lbs	Tex. Transp. Code § 548.051	Annual Inspection	Requires annual state safety inspection passing certificate before registration issuance.
Farm Trailer (Ag Exemption)	Tex. Transp. Code § 502.146	Exempt (≤ 4,000 lbs)	Exempt from registration if empty wt ≤ 4,000 lbs and used exclusively for agricultural production.
Seller Transfer Notice (VTR-346)	Tex. Transp. Code § 501.147	Recommended	Filed online by seller within 30 days to release civil, toll, and accident liability.

FAQs

Texas Trailer Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Do you need a title to sell a trailer in Texas?

How do you register a trailer in Texas without a title?

How do you register a homemade trailer in Texas?

Does a trailer bill of sale need to be notarized in Texas?

What are the Texas trailer inspection and safety equipment rules?