How to Title a Homemade Trailer in Tennessee
Last reviewed: January 2025 · Source: Tennessee Department of Revenue, County Clerk offices
Building your own utility trailer saves money, but getting it legally titled in Tennessee takes a specific sequence of steps that the state's official website doesn't explain clearly. The process involves a VIN inspection, a builder's affidavit, Tennessee Form MV-1, and a visit to your county clerk's office — not the state DMV. Here's exactly what to do.
Tennessee will title a homemade trailer. The key steps are: (1) assemble builder documentation, (2) get a state-assigned VIN from your county clerk, (3) complete Form MV-1, and (4) pay the $13.00 title fee plus registration. Allow 4–6 weeks for the title certificate to arrive by mail.
What Counts as a "Homemade" Trailer in Tennessee?
Tennessee defines a homemade trailer as one built by a private individual from new or salvaged parts — not a factory trailer with a destroyed VIN plate, and not a commercially manufactured trailer missing its paperwork. If you bought a wrecked titled trailer and rebuilt it, that's a rebuilt salvage title process, not a homemade title process.
A true homemade trailer was constructed by you (or someone you paid) from raw materials: steel tubing, axles, wheels, decking, and hardware. You need to prove this with receipts and photos.
Documents You'll Need Before You Go
- Builder's Affidavit (Affidavit of Construction): A signed, notarized statement that you built the trailer. Most county clerks have a standard form, or you can draft your own. It should include your name, address, trailer dimensions, approximate weight, and a statement that it was built from new/used parts — not from a titled vehicle.
- Material Receipts: Receipts for the axle(s), tongue, frame steel, wheels, lights, and any other major components. These don't need to be itemized down to the bolt — but you need to show the trailer wasn't built from a wrecked motor vehicle.
- Photos: At least 4–6 clear photos of the trailer: front, rear, both sides, the hitch/tongue area, and the axle(s). Take these before you go. Some county offices ask for them; some don't — but having them eliminates a return trip.
- Tennessee Form MV-1: Application for Certificate of Title. Download from the Tennessee Department of Revenue website or pick up at your county clerk's office.
- Your Tennessee driver's license or other acceptable state-issued ID.
- Payment: $13.00 title fee + registration fee (see fee table below). Exact cash or check is safest; most county offices accept cards.
Step-by-Step: The Tennessee Homemade Trailer Title Process
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Call your county clerk's office first.
In Tennessee, trailer titles are handled at the county clerk level, not a state DMV office. Procedures vary slightly by county. Call ahead to confirm their current requirements for homemade trailers and whether you need to schedule a VIN inspection or can walk in.
Counties with higher trailer volume (Rutherford, Shelby, Knox, Hamilton) tend to have the clearest processes. Rural counties may require a THP (Tennessee Highway Patrol) inspection instead of a clerk's office inspection — call ahead.
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Bring the trailer for a VIN inspection.
Because your homemade trailer has no manufacturer-assigned VIN, Tennessee will assign one. A county clerk or THP officer physically inspects the trailer to confirm it exists, matches your description, and doesn't have a hidden/removed VIN (which would indicate it came from a wrecked titled vehicle). The inspector will affix a metal VIN plate to the trailer's tongue or frame — do not remove or cover this plate.
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Complete Form MV-1 with the assigned VIN.
Once your VIN is assigned, fill out Form MV-1 (Application for Certificate of Title). In the "Make" field, write HOME. In the model year field, use the year you completed construction. The VIN field will now have the state-assigned number. List the trailer's GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) — measure your trailer and add its estimated payload capacity to get this number.
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Submit Form MV-1, affidavit, receipts, and payment.
Hand everything to the county clerk. They process the title application and collect the fees. You'll receive a registration receipt and license plate (or a temporary paper tag in some counties) on the same day. The actual title certificate is mailed to you by the state within 4–6 weeks.
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Mount your plate and keep your receipt in the trailer.
Until your title arrives, keep your registration receipt in the trailer. If you're stopped, this proves you've applied. Your title, once received, should be stored safely — not in the trailer.
Tennessee Homemade Trailer Fee Schedule (2025)
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | $13.00 | One-time fee per title |
| Registration — under 2,000 lbs | $20.75/year | GVWR determines class |
| Registration — 2,000–5,000 lbs | $27.75/year | Most utility trailers fall here |
| Registration — over 5,000 lbs | $42.75/year | Heavy utility/equipment trailers |
| County clerk processing fee | $1.00–$5.00 | Varies by county |
| New plate (if needed) | $3.00 | Required for new registrations |
Fees confirmed as of 2025. Tennessee counties may add a small processing surcharge — Shelby County, for example, adds $1.50. Call ahead to confirm the exact total.
Common Mistakes That Cause Rejections
- Listing "Unknown" as the GVWR: Tennessee requires a specific weight. Measure or estimate carefully.
- Not having the trailer physically present: The VIN inspection requires the actual trailer. You can't do this by mail or with just photos.
- Using a friend's VIN plate from a scrapped trailer: This is title fraud. The state assigns a new number — don't try to use an old one.
- Going to a state emissions/DMV office instead of county clerk: Tennessee processes trailer titles at the county clerk's office exclusively.
- Missing notarization on the affidavit: Some counties require it; some don't. Get it notarized to be safe.
What If the County Requires a THP Inspection?
Some Tennessee counties, particularly smaller or rural ones, require a Tennessee Highway Patrol inspection for homemade trailers rather than a clerk's office inspection. To schedule a THP inspection:
- Call the THP district headquarters for your county (find your district at tn.gov/safety/troop-info.html)
- Request a "homemade trailer VIN inspection appointment"
- Bring all the same documentation listed above
- The THP officer will complete a Vehicle Identification Number Inspection Certificate, which you then bring to the county clerk along with your MV-1 and other documents
The THP inspection fee is typically $4.00, paid directly to the officer at time of inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I title a homemade trailer built from a wrecked car chassis?
If your trailer was built using the frame of a previously-titled vehicle (a car, truck, or commercially-manufactured trailer), it's not a homemade trailer under Tennessee law — it's a rebuilt salvage vehicle. The process is different and significantly more involved, including a THP inspection and proof of ownership of the donor vehicle. Contact your county clerk for that specific path.
Does Tennessee require a title for small homemade trailers?
Tennessee requires a title for all trailers regardless of weight — there is no weight exemption for titling. However, trailers under 1,000 lbs GVWR may be exempt from registration in some counties. You still need a title even if you don't need to register annually. Confirm with your county clerk.
How long does the homemade trailer title take in Tennessee?
The county clerk processes the application same-day and issues a registration receipt and plate immediately. The actual Certificate of Title is mailed from the state's processing center within 4–6 weeks. If you haven't received it after 8 weeks, call the Tennessee Department of Revenue at (615) 741-3101.
What "Make" do I put on Form MV-1 for a homemade trailer?
Use HOME as the Make. This is the standard designation recognized by the Tennessee Department of Revenue for homemade/owner-built trailers. For the model, you can write a brief description like "Utility" or "Flatbed." For year, use the year you completed construction.
Can I sell a homemade trailer after it's titled?
Yes. Once your homemade trailer has a Tennessee Certificate of Title, it can be bought and sold exactly like any other titled trailer. The buyer follows the standard title transfer process — no special homemade designation is required for subsequent transfers.