Do You Need a Title for Horse Trailers in Florida?

You need to have proof of ownership by way of a certificate of title, for any motor vehicle, mobile home or vessel in Florida. This includes a horse trailer, but under certain circumstances, you may not need to obtain a certificate of title for a horse trailer. A certificate of title is available from any county tax collector’s office in Florida. However, all horse trailers need to be registered in Florida.

​Read More:​ How to Register an Untitled Trailer in Florida

Florida does not require a title for a trailer that weighs less than 2,000 pounds, but requires a title for all trailers with a gross vehicle weight of 2,000 pounds or more. No exemptions are allowed for trailers that weigh 2,000 pounds or more. If you don't know how much your horse trailer weighs, you can take it to your nearest weigh station. A certificate of title is required in Florida when you purchase a new vehicle, mobile home or vessel; bring a vehicle, mobile home or vessel into the state; or when the ownership of a vehicle, mobile home or vessel changes.

To get a title for your horse trailer in Florida, you must have proof of ownership and proof of required insurance coverage, written or countersigned by a Florida agent. You must also purchase or transfer a license plate. Complete and sign the appropriate title application form and take it to your local county tax collector’s office. Check the current sales tax, title fees and registrations and pay these in full at the time of application.

You can also get a duplicate title in Florida if the original is lost or destroyed. If you later find the original title, you should send it to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to be cancelled, as the duplicate title makes the original title void.

All horse trailers require registration in Florida, regardless of weight. If you have a new trailer, you need the manufacturer's certificate of origin, the bill of sale and a state-issued photo identification for registration. If the trailer is used, you need the bill of sale, the out-of-state title signed by the seller or registration, the weight slip if the empty or net weight is not indicated on the title or registration, and a state-issued photo identification.

If the trailer weighs less than 2,000 pounds, a trailer identification number is generated by the computer upon registration. You should have this number die cut or affixed to the trailer. If the trailer weighs 2,000 pounds or more, call the Florida Division of Motorist Services at 941-755-4551 to arrange for an inspection, following which a compliance examiner will assign and affix a trailer identification number.

​Read More:​ How to Paint a Horse Trailer