Free Washington Trailer Bill of Sale
A Washington trailer rides the same rails as a Washington car: title through the Department of Licensing, the TD-420-065 bill of sale documenting the price, a strict 15-day transfer clock with penalties that climb by the day, and use tax at the buyer's combined local rate — anywhere from 6.5% base to over 10% around Seattle, calculated on the price or fair market value, whichever is higher. Two trailer-specific notes: Washington offers a permanent trailer registration option (conditioned on the tow vehicle being properly licensed for it), and the seller's five-business-day report of sale matters just as much on a trailer as on a car.
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Washington Trailer Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Same 6.5% state + local Use Tax as cars.
Washington Trailer Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify the VIN on the trailer tongue against the Washington title.
- Complete form TD-420-065 (the DOL's vehicle/vessel bill of sale) with VIN, type, length, weight, sale price, date, and both signatures.
- Seller signs the title over — and files the report of sale at dol.wa.gov within 5 business days.
- Buyer completes the title transfer at a DOL licensing office within 15 days — the late penalty starts at $50 and grows $2 per day.
- Buyer pays use tax at their local combined rate (6.5% state + local; Seattle-area rates exceed 10%) on the higher of price or fair market value.
- Ask about Washington's permanent trailer registration — qualifying trailers can skip annual renewals if the tow vehicle is properly licensed for it.
- No inspection applies to a standard in-state trailer transfer.
Common Pitfalls
- Declaring a bargain price — Washington's DOL compares against fair market value and taxes the higher figure, trailers included.
- Seller skipping the 5-business-day report of sale — the trailer's future tickets and incidents stay pointed at the seller until it's filed.
- Blowing the 15-day window — Washington's escalating late fee ($50 + $2/day) applies to trailer titles too.
- Renewing annually without asking about the permanent trailer registration — qualifying setups can end the renewal cycle entirely.
Pro Tip
Washington trailers: TD-420-065 + title at the DOL inside 15 days, use tax on the higher of price or value, the seller's 5-day report — and a permanent-registration option that can end renewals for good.