301.191. Certificate of ownership, homemade trailers--inspection, fee--manufacturers' identifying number plate.
Certificate of ownership, homemade trailers--inspection,fee--manufacturers' identifying number plate.
301.191. 1. When an application is made for an original Missouricertificate of ownership for a previously untitled trailer sixteen feet ormore in length which is stated to be homemade, the applicant shall presenta certificate of inspection as provided in this section. No certificate ofownership shall be issued for such a homemade trailer if no certificate ofinspection is presented.
2. As used in this section, "homemade" means made by a person who isnot a manufacturer using readily distinguishable manufacturers' identifyingnumbers or a statement of origin.
3. Every person constructing a homemade trailer sixteen feet or morein length shall obtain an inspection from the sheriff of his or her countyof residence or from the Missouri state highway patrol prior to applyingfor a certificate of ownership. If the person constructing the trailersells or transfers the trailer prior to applying for a certificate ofownership, the sheriff's or the Missouri state highway patrol's certificateof inspection shall be transferred with the trailer.
4. A fee of ten dollars shall be paid for the inspection. If theinspection is completed by the sheriff, the proceeds from the inspectionsshall be deposited by the sheriff within thirty days into the county lawenforcement fund if one exists; otherwise into the county general revenuefund. If the inspection is completed by the Missouri state highway patrol,the applicant shall pay the ten dollar inspection fee to the director ofrevenue at the time of application for a certificate of ownership for thehomemade trailer. The fee shall be deposited in the state treasury to thecredit of the state highway fund.
5. The sheriff or Missouri state highway patrol shall inspect thetrailer and certify it if the trailer appears to be homemade. The sheriffor Missouri state highway patrol may request the owner to provide anydocuments or other evidence showing that the trailer was homemade. When atrailer is certified by the sheriff, the sheriff may stamp a permanentidentifying number in the tongue of the frame. The certificate ofinspection shall be on a form designed and provided by the director ofrevenue.
6. Upon presentation of the certificate of inspection and allapplicable documents and fees including the identification plate feeprovided in section 301.380, the director of revenue shall issue a readilydistinguishable manufacturers' identifying number plate. Theidentification number plate shall be affixed to the tongue of the trailer'sframe.
7. The sheriff or Missouri state highway patrol may seize any trailerwhich has been stolen or has identifying numbers obliterated or removed.The sheriff or Missouri state highway patrol may hold the trailer asevidence while an investigation is conducted. The trailer shall bereturned if no related criminal charges are filed within thirty days orwhen the charges are later dropped or dismissed or when the owner isacquitted.
(L. 1998 H.B. 1528, A.L. 1999 S.B. 19)