Certificate of ownership, homemade trailers

301.191. Certificate of ownership, homemade trailers — inspection, fee — manufacturers' identifying number plate. — 1. When an application is made for an original Missouri certificate of ownership for a previously untitled trailer which is stated to be homemade, the applicant shall present a certificate of inspection as provided in this section. No certificate of ownership shall be issued for such a homemade trailer if no certificate of inspection is presented.

2. As used in this section, "homemade" means made by a person who is not a manufacturer using readily distinguishable manufacturers' identifying numbers or a statement of origin.

3. Every person constructing a homemade trailer shall obtain an inspection from the sheriff of his or her county of residence or from the Missouri state highway patrol prior to applying for a certificate of ownership. If the person constructing the trailer sells or transfers the trailer prior to applying for a certificate of ownership, the sheriff's or the Missouri state highway patrol's certificate of inspection shall be transferred with the trailer.

4. A fee of twenty-five dollars shall be paid for the inspection. If the inspection is completed by the sheriff, the proceeds from the inspections shall be deposited by the sheriff within thirty days into the county law enforcement fund if one exists; otherwise into the county general revenue fund. If the inspection is completed by the Missouri state highway patrol, the applicant shall pay the twenty-five dollar inspection fee to the director of revenue at the time of application for a certificate of ownership for the homemade trailer. The fee shall be deposited in the state treasury to the credit of the state highway fund.

5. The sheriff or Missouri state highway patrol shall inspect the trailer and certify it if the trailer appears to be homemade. The sheriff or Missouri state highway patrol may request the owner to provide any documents or other evidence showing that the trailer was homemade. When a trailer is certified by the sheriff, the sheriff may stamp a permanent identifying number in the tongue of the frame. The certificate of inspection shall be on a form designed and provided by the director of revenue.

6. Upon presentation of the certificate of inspection and all applicable documents and fees including the identification plate fee provided in section 301.380, the director of revenue shall issue a readily distinguishable manufacturers' identifying number plate. The identification number plate shall be affixed to the tongue of the trailer's frame.

7. The sheriff or Missouri state highway patrol may seize any trailer which has been stolen or has identifying numbers obliterated or removed. The sheriff or Missouri state highway patrol may hold the trailer as evidence while an investigation is conducted. The trailer shall be returned if no related criminal charges are filed within thirty days or when the charges are later dropped or dismissed or when the owner is acquitted.