Taking a trailer with ATV to NC?

[macville]

Hey guys, so I have an opportunity to take my ATV to NC for the weekend. However, I am trying to figure out if I need a tag on my 5x8 flatbed trailer. I know that NC requires tags for trailers by residents, but wasn't sure if that also applied to out of state trailers when pulled behind an out of state vehicle and driver.

[dralarms]

Yea, get a tag. The HP can be a real pita. Even if one is not required here, it is there and they WILL stop you to verify you are an out of state resident.

[Patton]

Yes, you will need a trailer tag for NC.

[macville]

The funny thing is I keep reading in my research that the other states are supposed to honor TN law and if they don't know what TN law is keep a copy of the law like this: http://www.countyclerkanytime.com/Tag_Title/trailer%20registration%20requirements.pdf

[otnman]

You do not need a tag legally...just keep a copy of the law with you...parents have done this all over the u.s...now, if you don't want the hassle of being pulled over, get the tag...

[wileecoyote]

I recently asked the same question in another thread:

http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/index.php?/topic/82124-Trailer-Registration-in-TN?
Trailer Registration in TN?

I concluded that other states cannot require an out of state resident to get a title/registration/plate for their trailer if their own state does not require it. So I am going on my trip without a plate, but will have proof of my state residency and ownership of the trailer, along with a copy of our state laws if needed.

[bersaguy]

Tennessee does not require boat trailers to have license plates and I know I have pulled through at least 25 states with most of them requiring residents to have them and i never got stopped the first time with no tags on trailer................... :shrug: :shrug:

[Oh Shoot]

Tennessee does not require boat trailers to have license plates and I know I have pulled through at least 25 states with most of them requiring residents to have them and i never got stopped the first time with no tags on trailer................... :shrug: :shrug:

 

I got stopped years ago hauling my little Tennessee Tramp boat in FL, cop was bemused but let me go.

 

I also got hasseled on the water in the Keys by Florida Marine Patrol a number of times (they look for petty violations in between watching for dope drops) and once because "no way your boat can have a registration number that short" (TNxxP). But that's another issue.

 

- OS

Edited October 7, 2014 by Oh Shoot

[jh225]

You are required to abide by the registration (or lack of) in the state in which you reside and in which the tow vehicle is registered, period.

Edited October 7, 2014 by jh225

[peejman]

You are required to abide by the registration (or lack of) in the state in which you reside and in which the tow vehicle is registered, period.

Yep. And you're also required to abide by the laws of any state through which you pass. Just because cops are nice and give tourists a free pass doesn't mean it's legal.

[56FordGuy]

Yep. And you're also required to abide by the laws of any state through which you pass. Just because cops are nice and give tourists a free pass doesn't mean it's legal.

As long as your vehicle is legal where it's registered, you're good.

Otherwise we would all have to have our vehicles inspected and get front license plates to go to Virginia.

[MacGyver]

TN doesn't require a tag for recreational trailers, but I went ahead and got one anyway.  GA and NC both require them, and even though I would have loved to have saved the money, I really looked at it as a safety issue.  No one ever gave me a ticket, but I've been pulled over to "check" in some places where it was difficult to pull over safely without dropping a wheel off of the pavement into the grass, mud or who knows what. Then, I'm trying to get back up to speed and merge all while pulling a 21' boat.  It's just a pain.

 

It was worth the $12.25 to not have to deal with it.

[Patton]

As long as your vehicle is legal where it's registered, you're good.
Otherwise we would all have to have our vehicles inspected and get front license plates to go to Virginia.

A front license plate and trailer registration is two different scenarios. I know we are talking about NC, but Georgia requires a trailer to have a license plate if one is obtainable from your state. If you lived in some state where they did not issue trailer plates for your application then you would be legal. However, I have heard of one state that you would have to tag the trailer in their state if you can not obtain plates in your home state(I think it was PA).

[peejman]

As long as your vehicle is legal where it's registered, you're good.

Otherwise we would all have to have our vehicles inspected and get front license plates to go to Virginia.

Ask all the people who get tickets in VA for windows tinted darker than 35% when they give the cop attitude over a speeding ticket for 3 over the limit.

[wileecoyote]

Georgia requires a trailer to have a license plate if one is obtainable from your state.

Do you have a reference to the GA state code for this? I can't see any state being able to pass a law regarding titling or registration of a vehicle or trailer, that would be applicable to an out of state resident driving an out of state vehicle or trailer.

[Patton]

Do you have a reference to the GA state code for this? I can't see any state being able to pass a law regarding titling or registration of a vehicle or trailer, that would be applicable to an out of state resident driving an out of state vehicle or trailer.

No, I skimmed through the legal jargon, but can't find it. I was cited in 2000; I lived in TN but drove through GA almost everyday with a small trailer. I got cited while empty so he had no reason to believe that it was for commercial use. When I went to court at the Catoosa County Court House I was not fined because I got it registered in TN. The lady at the Marion County clerks office said that I did in fact need plates if I was going into Georgia. The judge in Ga was really cool and explained that really anything outside of farm use without springs would require tags. All assuming that my home state would issue plates on it.

[wileecoyote]

No, I skimmed through the legal jargon, but can't find it. I was cited in 2000; I lived in TN but drove through GA almost everyday with a small trailer. I got cited while empty so he had no reason to believe that it was for commercial use. When I went to court at the Catoosa County Court House I was not fined because I got it registered in TN. The lady at the Marion County clerks office said that I did in fact need plates if I was going into Georgia. The judge in Ga was really cool and explained that really anything outside of farm use without springs would require tags. All assuming that my home state would issue plates on it.

Thanks.
I will have to ask my attorney to check on this, as I just can't see how a state that you don't live in can require you to license or register a utility trailer outside of their state. They can enforce traffic laws as you pass through, sure, but the presence or absence of a utility trailer registration for an out of state owner / driver has no bearing on their state revenues, safety, traffic, etc. so it just seems wrong. I realize this wouldn't stop them from pulling you over, and possibly erroneously ticketing you, but I would want to see their state code and discuss the constitutionality of it with my lawyer before I would pay them a dime. Edited October 9, 2014 by wileecoyote

[wileecoyote]

Just found a very helpful site which has a nice summary of the driving, towing, and other laws for all states. I see no states listed with a law about non residents needing to have utility trailers registered.

http://drivinglaws.aaa.com/laws/trailer-towing/