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Michigan Changes Trailer Registration Fees and Others
By Van W. Snider, Jr., CAE, President, Michigan Boating Industries Association
 The Michigan Legislature recently enacted Public Act 152 of 2003 that became effective on October 1, 2003. The act amended the Michigan Vehicle Code to provide for various fee increases; created the Transportation Administration Collection Fund, the Traffic Law Enforcement and Safety Fund, and the Trooper Recruit School Fund, and provides for a new regulatory fee for the purpose of regulating highway safety and provides for the allocation of current and increased fee revenues. The following chart outlines the increasing fee structure:
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Current Fee |
New Fee
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Increase
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| Operator - Original License |
$13.00 |
$25.00 |
$12.00 |
| Operator - Renewal |
13.00 |
18.00 |
5.00 |
| Operator - 2 Year Renewal |
11.00 |
18.00 |
7.00 |
| Minor's Restricted License |
5.00 |
25.00 |
20.00 |
| Chauffeur - Original License |
21.00 |
35.00 |
14.00 |
| Chauffeur - Renewal |
21.00 |
35.00 |
14.00 |
| Commercial Vehicle License |
20.00 |
25.00 |
5.00 |
| Late Operator Renewal |
0.00 |
7.00 |
7.00 |
| Title Service Fee |
0.00 |
3.00 |
3.00 |
| Registration Service Fee |
5.00 |
5.75 |
.75 |
| Hwy Safety Regulatory Fee |
0.00 |
2.25 |
2.25 |
| Late Registration Fee |
0.00 |
10.00 |
10.00 |
| Dealer License |
10.00 |
75.00 |
65.00 |
| Salvage Vehicle |
100.00 |
160.00 |
60.00 |
| Duplicate License |
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| Chauffeur's |
12.00 |
18.00 |
6.00 |
| Operator’s |
6.00 |
9.00 |
3.00 |
| Prorated Registrations |
Various |
Eliminated |
N/A |
| Temporary Registrations |
10.00 |
Various |
N/A |
| Trailer Registrations* |
Various |
Various |
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| N/A: Not Available |
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*For those individuals who own trailers, PA 152 provides for an annual registration tax on pole trailers, semi-trailers and trailers based on weight. The previous fees ranged from $17 to $39. Trailer coaches were previously taxed annually at 76 cents per 100 pounds of empty weight of the trailer coach. PA 152 changes the tax to a one-time charge based on weight ranging from $75 to $300:
- Trailer weight- up to 2,499 lbs: $75
- Trailer weight 2,500 - 9,999 lbs: $200
- Trailer weight 10,000 lbs & up: $300
For boaters, snowmobilers, etc., who own a trailer, this act means the owner pays a one-time trailer fee for however long he or she owns the trailer. When sold, the new owner will then register the trailer and pay a one-time fee. For those individuals who own a trailer for several years, this change may be advantageous (no more annual registration fee) but for those who replace their trailers in a year or two, the trailer fee becomes more expensive.
From a boating perspective, most commonly used boat trailers never exceed 2,499 lbs.; therefore, most boat trailer fees will be $75. If you are one of those, be aware that you will see an increased fee on your next renewal but you will only pay this fee once for the remaining period you own the trailer.
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