In Maryland, boat trailers are subject to the same laws as passenger vehicles. You must have a title for your trailer, and registration and inspection are required if you plan to tow the trailer on state roads. Register your trailer at a Maryland Vehicle Administration branch office or by mail.
Title
A title is proof of ownership. If you buy your trailer new from a dealer in Maryland, the dealer will provide the title and registration. If the trailer is used, you will need the previous title, a notarized bill of sale that includes the purchase price, and a Maryland Safety Inspection Certificate.
Registration
To register your boat trailer, you need a Maryland title and a Certificate of Inspection. You must also provide proof of liability insurance. Boat trailers are registered by the Maryland Vehicle Administration (boats are registered by the Department of Natural Resources.). The fee for registering a trailer varies based on its towing capacity.
Fees and Excise Tax
In 2010, the fee for a new title was $50. The state also charges an excise tax on trailer purchases, determined by the price of the trailer. If the trailer is more than seven years old, the excise tax will be of 6 percent of the purchase price or $320, whichever is greater.
References
Writer Bio
An adjunct instructor at Central Maine Community College, Kristen Hamlin is also a freelance writer on topics including lifestyle, education, and business. She is the author of Graduate! Everything You Need to Succeed After College (Capital Books), and her work has appeared in Lewiston Auburn Magazine, Young Money, USA Today and a variety of online outlets. She has a B.A. in Communication from Stonehill College, and a Master of Liberal Studies in Creative Writing from the University of Denver.