Trailer registration

How to register a trailer in North Dakota

✓ Sourced from North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Motor Vehicle DivisionRegistration required

Trailer registration in North Dakota: the agency, the required documents, and the exact steps, sourced from North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Motor Vehicle Division.

Who to contact

North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Motor Vehicle Division

Visit the official North Dakota page

Step by step

How to register in North Dakota.

  1. Step 1

    Title/register the trailer at an NDDOT Motor Vehicle office or licensed site

  2. Step 2

    Provide proof of ownership

  3. Step 3

    Pay applicable registration fees

What to bring

Required documents.

  • Application for Certificate of Title & Registration (SFN 2872)
  • Proof of ownership / MCO

Fees & renewal

Fees

Not published on the official page as of September 2, 2026 — confirm the exact fee with North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Motor Vehicle Division.

Renewal

Renewal cadence not yet confirmed.

Good to know

NDDOT Motor Vehicle page states the registration manual covers 'all vehicle, trailer, motorcycle' registration. Renewal due dates can be matched across vehicle types; exact trailer cadence not confirmed from an official page.

More for North Dakota

Other vehicles registered in North Dakota.

General guidance

About trailer registration.

Most states require any trailer towed on public roads to carry a title or registration, but the agency, the paperwork, and whether the rule depends on trailer weight vary by state. Pick your state below for the sourced, step-by-step process.

01

Proof of ownership comes first

Nearly every state asks for a title, a manufacturer’s certificate of origin, or a bill of sale before it will issue a registration or plate. A homemade or older trailer without a title usually needs a separate title-application process before registration.

02

Weight can change the rule

A number of states only require registration above a set gross weight, or price the fee by weight class. Check your state’s page below for whether a weight threshold applies before you assume a small utility trailer is exempt.

03

The plate or permit is usually issued locally

Most states issue the trailer plate through a county tag office, license plate agent, or DMV field office rather than by mail from the state capital. Confirm the exact office in the state guide below before you drive over.

Common questions

The practical details.

Do I have to register a trailer in North Dakota?

Yes — North Dakota requires registration for this vehicle type. North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Motor Vehicle Division handles it; see the steps above.

How often do I need to renew?

North Dakota's renewal cadence for this vehicle type has not yet been confirmed against an official source — check with North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Motor Vehicle Division directly.

Do I have to register a small utility trailer?

It depends on the state and, in several states, on the trailer’s weight. Some states exempt trailers under a set gross weight from registration entirely, while others require every trailer towed on public roads to carry a plate. Check your state’s guide below — never assume a small trailer is exempt without confirming with the agency listed there.

What if my trailer never came with a title?

Homemade trailers and some older trailers were never titled. Most states have a bonded-title or title-application process for exactly this situation — it usually starts at the same agency that handles trailer registration. The state guide below names that agency.

See every state for trailers