Hand-crafted trailer weighing more than 900 kg

Before building a trailer weighing more than 900 kg, it is recommended that you consult the Guide de construction de remorques de fabrication artisanale (PDF, 1.6 MB)⁠ ⁠ to find out about the standards your trailer must meet.

If you have any questions, you can contact us to check whether your trailer meets road safety standards:

Direction générale de l'expertise légale et de la sécurité des véhicules
Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec
Case postale 19600, succursale Terminus
Québec (Québec) G1K 8J6
dgelsv@saaq.gouv.qc.ca This link opens your default email software.
418-528-3214

Once you have built your trailer, you must have it weighed on a scale. Transport companies, quarries and dumps, among other places, can provide such a scale.

Weight certificate

You will receive a weight certificate, which specifies the net weight of your handcrafted trailer. The weight must be printed—not handwritten—on the document.

You will need to present this document at the time of registration if the net weight does not appear on other documents.

Registration in the Registre des propriétaires et des exploitants de véhicules lourds (register of owners and operators of heavy vehicles)

If the trailer's gross vehicle weight ratingA vehicle's weight, including its maximum load capacity, according to the manufacturer's specifications. is 4,500 kg or more and you use it for commercial or employment-related purposes, you must be registered in the Commission des transports du Québec⁠ ⁠ 's register of heavy vehicle owners and operators.

Call your local police department to have your trailer checked for any components of suspicious origin (such as stolen or modified parts).

You must be able to show the origin of your trailer's components and prove that you own them by such means as providing invoices.

The police department will issue you the Vérification des pièces d'identification d'un véhicule form and affix stickers to the trailer.

You will need these documents in order to apply for a vehicle identification number plate.

To apply for a vehicle identification number plate, you must send us a letter containing the following information:

• your name and address
• the type of trailer
• its net weight or gross vehicle weight rating
• the mechanical inspection centre where you wish to go to have the plate installed
• the original of the Vérification des pièces d'identification d'un véhicule form
• a cheque or money order payable to the SAAQ

We will send you a letter confirming the name of the mechanical inspection centre you have chosen to have the handcrafted trailer's vehicle identification number (VIN) plate installed.

The mechanical inspection centre will call you to set up an appointment.

You may also take this opportunity to have your trailer undergo a mechanical inspection.

After having the vehicle identification number plate installed at a mechanical inspection centre, you must also have inspection centre staff inspect your trailer.

Both steps can be carried out at the same time. If that is not possible, you will need to set up another appointment at a mechanical inspection centre.

Before registration

The trailer cannot be registered…

If you have an unpaid fine for an offence under the Highway Safety Code or a municipal traffic or parking bylaw.

• The Bureau des infractions et amendes⁠ ⁠ and the municipal courts are responsible for collecting fines. You cannot pay a fine at an SAAQ service outlet.

When you register your trailer

Documents required

You must present the following documents:

• your driver's licence or another official photo ID document
• your trailer's weight certificate
• a document proving the installation of the vehicle identification number plate
• the mechanical inspection certificate

You are also required to mention the trailer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) (see page 6 of the Guide de construction de remorques de fabrication artisanale (PDF, 1.6 MB)⁠ ⁠) to the service outlet agent. You can also find the GVWR on the engineer’s report approved by the Service de l’ingénierie des véhicules.

If you are under age 18

You must also present the Consent of a Person Having Parental Authority (PDF, 128.7 KB)⁠ form completed by your father, mother or legal guardian.

If you do not have a driver's licence

Call us to find out what documents you must bring with you when registering your trailer.

If you cannot go in person

The person who goes to the service outlet for you must bring the original Power of Attorney (PDF, 657.0 KB)⁠ form completed by you beforehand.

Costs and payment

Payment options

At our service outlets, we accept payment:

• in cash
• by debit card (not available at some service outlets)
• by one or more pre-authorized debits (a cheque specimen must be provided)
• by cheque or money order

Payment by credit card is not accepted.

Payment of the GST and QST

You may not be required to pay the GST and QST when you register your trailer.

For more information, call Revenu Québec⁠ ⁠.