REG 4017 is the Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Certification that the California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV) provides for trailers that carry a PTI identification plate. The owner uses Side A to request a Certificate of Title, and Side B serves to transfer a trailer without a title or to add a legal owner without a title. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form itself is published by the CA DMV at its forms page.
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What is REG 4017?
Permanent Trailer Identification Certification (REG 4017) is the California Department of Motor Vehicles (CA DMV) form for a trailer with a Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) plate. It is used to request a Certificate of Title, to transfer ownership without a title, or to add a legal owner without a title.
The form has two sides. Side A is the certification: the owner enters the PTI identification plate number, vehicle identification number and year/make, and checks a box to request a Certificate of Title. Side B is the application for a Certificate of Title, a transfer without a Certificate of Title, or the addition of a legal owner without a Certificate of Title. It has seven sections: owners of record, release of ownership, adding a legal owner, new trailer owners, new legal owner, leased vehicles and the dealer's release.
According to the form, the DMV issues a Permanent Trailer Identification Card and keeps an electronic record of ownership whether or not a title is requested. If no title is requested, a Bill of Sale can be used to transfer ownership; but if a physical Certificate of Title has been issued, it must be used on transfer.
REG 4017 is not for replacing a title that is lost, stolen, not received, or illegible or mutilated. For those cases the form directs you to Application for Replacement Title (REG 227).
Who needs to file REG 4017?
Owners of a trailer with a PTI identification plate use REG 4017. The form says that if there is no legal owner and you want a Certificate of Title, you complete Sections 1 and 2 on Side A.
Other groups, per the form:
- Buyers and sellers of a PTI trailer without a title. The seller completes Sections 1 and 2 and the buyer completes Sections 4 through 7 as needed.
- Owners adding a legal owner without a title. Sections 1, 3 and 5 must be completed.
- Dealers. A dealer agent completes Section 7, Dealer's Release of Acquired Vehicle, when the dealer sold the vehicle.
- Owners with a legal owner (bank, finance company, etc.). A trailer titled with a legal owner is automatically issued a Certificate of Title, and a PTI title fee applies.
Do not use REG 4017 to replace a lost, stolen, not received or illegible/mutilated title; use REG 227. When co-owners are joined by "AND", each owner must sign on a transfer; when joined by "OR", only one owner's signature is required.
When to file REG 4017
For a transfer of ownership, the new owner's section (Section 4) says to complete the transfer within 10 days of taking possession of the trailer. For a Certificate of Title, the form sets no separate deadline: you complete Side A when you want the title issued for the PTI trailer. Adding a legal owner without a title has no printed deadline either. If a physical Certificate of Title has already been issued, it must be used when ownership is transferred, so a Bill of Sale alone does not replace it.
Documents you need
- Bill of Sale: can be used to transfer ownership of a PTI trailer when a Certificate of Title was not requested; the DMV lists Bill of Sale (REG 135) among its featured forms.
- Physical Certificate of Title: must be used upon transfer of ownership if one has been issued for the trailer.
How to fill out REG 4017
Choose the type of application
At the top of Side B, check Certificate of Title, Transfer without Certificate of Title or Addition of Legal Owner Without Certificate of Title. The current owner completes Side A to request a title.
Enter the trailer description
In Section 1 of Side A, and again at the top of Side B, enter the PTI IDENTIFICATION PLATE NUMBER, the VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER and the YEAR/MAKE.
Request the title on Side A
If there is no legal owner and you want a Certificate of Title, complete Sections 1 and 2 and check I request a Certificate of Title. Sign, date and enter a daytime telephone number; the owner's signature is required.
List the owners of record
In Section 1 of Side B, enter each owner's true full name (last, first, middle, or business name), the physical address and, if different, the mailing address.
Complete the seller's release
For a transfer, the seller signs and dates Section 2, Release of Ownership, for each owner of record.
Complete Section 3 when adding a legal owner
To add a legal owner, the owners of record sign and date Section 3, which carries the release of security interest statement. Sections 1, 3 and 5 must be completed.
Fill in the new owner's information
In Section 4, enter the purchase price or market value (if gift or trade), the date purchased or acquired, the optional equipment number, each new owner's name, driver license or ID card number and addresses. All new owners sign, date and add a telephone number.
Name the new legal owner
In Section 5, enter the name, electronic lienholder ID number (ELT#) and street or P.O. box address of the new legal owner. Write "NONE" if there is no legal owner.
Add leased vehicle and dealer details
In Section 6, enter the lessee address if it differs from the owner address. If a dealer sold the trailer, the dealer agent completes Section 7 with buyer, date sold, dealership, dealer number, R/S number, signature and salesperson number.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check that the trailer numbers match, that all required signatures are in place and that you completed only the sections your transaction needs. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF.
How to submit REG 4017
REG 4017 is a CA DMV form, and the form itself prints no mailing address, portal or office for returning it. The CA DMV publishes the form and related forms at https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/form/permanent-trailer-identification-certification-reg-4017/; check there, or with the DMV, for where to deliver the signed form.
Before you send it, make sure every required signature is on the form: the owner's signature on Side A, and the signatures of the owners and new owners in the Side B sections that apply to your transaction. A PTI title fee applies when a Certificate of Title is requested; the form does not state the amount, so ask the DMV for the current fee. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the DMV's channels.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using REG 4017 to replace a lost, stolen, not received or illegible/mutilated title; the form says to use Application for Replacement Title (REG 227).
- Leaving out the owner's signature on Side A; the form states that the owner's signature is required.
- Signing a transfer with only one co-owner when the owners are joined by "AND"; each owner must sign. Only "OR" owners need a single signature.
- Completing the transfer more than 10 days after taking possession of the trailer; Section 4 calls for completion within that period.
- Entering the new registered owner's name in Section 5; the form says to enter only the new legal owner there, and to write "NONE" if there is no legal owner.
- Using a Bill of Sale to transfer a trailer for which a physical Certificate of Title was issued; the form says the title must be used.
- Completing the wrong sections for a legal-owner addition; the form says Sections 1, 3 and 5 must be completed.
- Omitting the mailing address when it differs from the physical address; the new owner's certification attests that the mailing address is valid and accurate.
Frequently asked questions
What is REG 4017 used for?
REG 4017 is the CA DMV Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Certification. Use it to request a Certificate of Title for a PTI trailer, to transfer ownership without a title, or to add a legal owner without a title. The DMV issues a PTI card and keeps an electronic ownership record either way.
Can I use REG 4017 to replace a lost title?
No. The form states it cannot replace a title that is lost, stolen, not received, or illegible/mutilated. For those cases, use Application for Replacement Title (REG 227).
Do I need a Certificate of Title for a PTI trailer?
Not necessarily. If you do not request one, a Bill of Sale can be used to transfer ownership. But if a physical Certificate of Title has been issued, it must be used on transfer, and a trailer with a legal owner is automatically issued one.
How long do I have to complete a trailer transfer on REG 4017?
Section 4 says to complete the transfer within 10 days of taking possession of the trailer. The new owner completes that section, signs it and adds a daytime telephone number.
Is there a fee to get a PTI title?
Yes. The form says a PTI title fee applies when you request a Certificate of Title, and when a trailer is titled with a legal owner. It does not print the amount, so ask the CA DMV for the current fee.
Who must sign REG 4017 when a trailer has co-owners?
Upon transfer, co-owners joined by "AND" must each sign, while co-owners joined by "OR" need the signature of only one owner. On Side A, the owner's signature is required to certify the information under penalty of perjury.
Can I fill out REG 4017 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form with the DMV or process the title; you return it through the DMV's channels.
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