Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

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Section 7 of 38

Chapter 6: New Vehicles Sold by California Dealers

6.050 Park Trailers

Chapter 6 New Vehicles Sold by California Dealers

6.050 Park Trailers (CH&SC §18009.3)

A park trailer is a trailer designed for human habitation for recreational or seasonal use only, that contains 400 square feet or less of gross floor area, excluding loft area space if that space meets the requirements of H&SC §§18009.3(b) and 18033 (may not exceed a width of 14 feet at the maximum horizontal projections), is built upon a single chassis, and may only be transported upon the public highways with a permit issued pursuant to CVC §35780 (a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) permit).

All park trailers must be registered. Dealers, manufacturers, and salespersons may sell park trailers. Park trailers should have an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) label or data plate identifying the construction standards, and be licensed and titled by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Park trailers are excluded from registration under the permanent trailer identification (PTI) program (CVC §5014.1).

A park trailer will have a vehicle identification number (VIN), but no additional serial number stamped into the front cross member of the chasis. Park trailers are not required to have a 17-digit VIN.

Park Trailer Body Type Model:

  • New vehicles—A 10-digit body type model is required on the Application for Registration of New Vehicle (REG 397) form. The first five positions are always CCHPT, followed by five numbers (Example: CCHPT12345).
  • Nonoriginals and miscellaneous originals—A 10-digit body type model is not required; the body type model is CCHPT.

In addition to regular or nonresident park trailer registration requirements, the following must be submitted:

  • A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form. The trailers must be moved by permit, so DMV will not normally be completing the REG 31.
  • A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form, with Section G completed, is required from the owner stating “This unit being registered is an ANSI park trailer and contains XX square feet and is XX feet in width at the maximum horizontal projection”.
    • Cannot exceed 400 square feet of gross floor space.
    • Cannot exceed 14 feet in width at the maximum horizontal projection.
  • If no data plate is identified in the Comments section of the REG 31 and the gross floor space stated is less than 400 square feet, the REG 256 must also state how the applicant determined that the trailer is an ANSI park trailer (Example: the ANSI data plate was present on the trailer at one time, but fell off during transport).

The procedures below must be followed:

  • If completing the REG 31, verify the data plate, and indicate in the Comments section if the trailer contains an ANSI data plate.
    • If the trailer contains a HUD data plate, refer the customer to HCD.
    • Serial numbers are cold stamped on the hitch or frame front cross member of each transportable section.
  • Issue regular trailer plates and a registration card. The Certificates of Title and registration card will have “Oversize Trlr” and “Cal Trans Moving Permit Required” printed on them Refer to Chapter 12, for the basic nonresident vehicle registration requirements.

Park trailers have an 18-year VLF depreciation schedule, instead of an 11-year.