Do you need a title to register a trailer in Florida?

Under Florida Statutes § 319.20, Florida only titles trailers with an empty net weight of 2,000 pounds or more. Trailers weighing under 2,000 pounds empty net weight are exempt from titling and are registered for highway use using a certified Bill of Sale (such as Form SBF-FL-TRL or FLHSMV Form HSMV 82050) and previous registration documentation.

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

For trailers weighing less than 2,000 pounds empty net weight, a title does not exist in Florida. To register, the buyer must present: (1) this executed Florida Trailer Bill of Sale signed by the seller, (2) the seller's previous Florida registration renewal receipt, (3) a certified weight slip from a public scale if the empty weight is not established on previous records, and (4) payment for sales tax and registration fees at the County Tax Collector's office.

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

While Florida law does not strictly require notarization for standard non-titled trailer registrations if both parties sign the bill of sale, having Section F notarized provides definitive proof of transfer date and identity. Notarization is strongly recommended for homemade trailers, trailers without prior registration records, and transactions between private parties in different counties.

How do you register a homemade trailer in Florida?

To register a homemade trailer in Florida: if the empty net weight is under 2,000 lbs, you must obtain a certified weight slip from a certified public scale, complete this Bill of Sale / Statement of Builder, and bring it to your County Tax Collector to receive a license plate. If the trailer weighs 2,000 lbs or more, it must be inspected by an FLHSMV Compliance Examiner (Form HSMV 84045) to assign a Florida VIN ('FLA...') before a Certificate of Title can be issued.

How much is sales tax on a utility trailer in Florida?

Florida assesses a statewide 6.0% sales and use tax under Florida Statutes Chapter 212 on the total purchase price of the trailer. In addition, Florida counties levy a local Discretionary Sales Surtax (typically 0.5% to 1.5%) on the first $5,000 of the purchase price. Sales tax is paid directly by the buyer to the County Tax Collector during registration.

Free Florida Trailer Bill of Sale Form (FLHSMV 82050 PDF)

FORM SBF-FL-TRL Statutory Year: 2026

Florida Statutes §§ 319.22, 319.28 & 320.081 • FLHSMV Form HSMV 82050 Compliant

STATE OF FLORIDA STATUTORY TRAILER BILL OF SALE & NOTICE OF SALE

Utility, Boat, Cargo, Equipment, Livestock & Homemade 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 Florida

State:

Florida County *:

Section B: Complete Trailer Identification & Statutory Weight Specifications FLHSMV 2,000 lbs Net Weight Titling Standard

Year Built *

Make / Manufacturer *

Model Name / Number

Trailer Body Type *

Length (Feet)

Width (Feet / In)

Number of Axles

FL License Plate #

Florida Statutory Weight Class (Fla. Stat. § 319.20 • Empty Net Weight Threshold) Trailers <2,000 lbs Net Weight are NON-TITLED in Florida; ≥2,000 lbs require Florida Certificate of Title

Net / Empty Wt *:

lbs

Payload Capacity:

lbs

GVWR Rating:

lbs

Trailer VIN / Serial # (17 Digits or FL Assigned "FLA..."): *

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee) Must Match FLHSMV Registration Records

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical Address Only

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

FL 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 Florida 6.0% Sales Tax

TOTAL PURCHASE PRICE *:

Date of Sale *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Gift

Section E: Statutory "AS-IS" Warranty Disclaimer & Notice of Sale Certification Fla. Stat. § 672.316 • Fla. Stat. § 319.28 Civil & Toll Liability Release

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. Pursuant to Florida Statutes § 672.316, the Seller disclaims all warranties of any kind, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, structural roadworthiness, axle alignment, wheel bearings, suspension, frame integrity, coupler mechanism, tires, safety chains, or lighting. Buyer acknowledges having had full opportunity to inspect, test-hitch, and load-test the trailer or has knowingly waived this right. NOTICE OF SALE & SELLER LIABILITY RELEASE (Fla. Stat. § 319.28): Seller hereby certifies the transfer of ownership of the described trailer. Filing FLHSMV Form HSMV 82050 or this certified bill of sale with the local Florida County Tax Collector relieves the Seller of all civil, parking, toll-by-plate, and traffic infraction liabilities. Seller certifies under penalty of perjury under Florida law that Seller is lawful owner with clear legal title free of all liens and encumbrances.

Section F: Authorized Signatures & Florida Notary Acknowledgment Recommended for Non-Titled Registration & County Tax Filing

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must match Florida records

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature For Form HSMV 82050

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF:

Before me, the undersigned notary public, personally appeared the Seller and/or Buyer named above, known or proven through government photo ID to be the person(s) subscribed hereto, and acknowledged executing same for the purposes and consideration expressed.

Notary Public Signature

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here

FORM SBF-FL-TRL (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com Florida Statutes §§ 319.22, 319.28 & 320.081 • Compliant with FLHSMV Form HSMV 82050 PAGE 1 OF 1

Registration Process

FLHSMV 3-Step Florida Trailer Registration & Transfer Guide

Follow Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) statutory procedures to transfer utility, boat, cargo, or equipment trailers under the Florida 2,000 lbs empty weight threshold.

Determine Weight & Sign SBF-FL-TRL

Check the trailer's empty net weight: if 2,000 lbs or more, sign the Florida Certificate of Title. If under 2,000 lbs (non-titled), both parties execute this Form SBF-FL-TRL with the seller's prior registration receipt.

Seller Files Notice of Sale (HSMV 82050)

Within 30 calendar days of the sale date, the seller files FLHSMV Form HSMV 82050 or this certified bill of sale with the local County Tax Collector to cancel the registration and relieve themselves of civil and toll liabilities.

Buyer Registers & Remits Sales Tax

Within 30 days, the buyer visits the local County Tax Collector's office with the bill of sale, prior registration or title, certified scale weight slip (if empty weight is unverified), pays 6.0% state sales tax (plus local surtax), and receives Florida license plates.

Statutory Summary

Florida Trailer Statutory Titling & Registration Standards

Clear legal distinctions for Florida trailers based on net empty weight, homemade inspection requirements, and FLHSMV registration rules.

Requirement / Category	Florida Statutory Standard	Legal Authority
Net Weight < 2,000 lbs	Non-Titled: Registered for highway use via Bill of Sale and prior registration receipt; no Certificate of Title is issued	Fla. Stat. § 319.20
Net Weight ≥ 2,000 lbs	Mandatory Title: Must have Florida Certificate of Title transferred from seller to buyer in addition to Bill of Sale	Fla. Stat. § 319.20
Certified Weight Slip	Required from a certified public scale if empty net weight is unverified or missing on previous registration records	Fla. Stat. § 320.081
Homemade Trailers < 2,000 lbs	Registered directly at County Tax Collector with certified scale weight slip and completed Bill of Sale / Statement of Builder	FLHSMV Guidelines
Homemade Trailers ≥ 2,000 lbs	Mandatory physical inspection by FLHSMV Compliance Examiner (Form HSMV 84045) to assign Florida VIN before titling	Fla. Stat. § 319.26
State Sales & Use Tax	6.0% Florida state tax + county discretionary sales surtax (0.5%–1.5% on the first $5,000)	Fla. Stat. Chapter 212
Seller Liability Release	Seller relieved of civil, parking, and toll violations upon filing Form HSMV 82050 within 30 days	Fla. Stat. § 319.28

Frequently Asked Questions

Florida Trailer Bill of Sale & Titling FAQs

Authoritative answers to the most common questions on registering utility, boat, cargo, and homemade trailers in Florida.

Free Florida Trailer Bill of Sale & Notice of Sale Form

STATE OF FLORIDA STATUTORY TRAILER BILL OF SALE & NOTICE OF SALE