PennDOT Form MV-26D: Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture Guide

PennDOT Form MV-26D: Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture Guide – Watercraft trailer dealers in Pennsylvania who need to dispose of or take title to a forfeited watercraft trailer use PennDOT Form MV-26D, the official “Application for Disposal of Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture.” This form is part of the specialized process created under Subchapter B of Chapter 73 of Title 75 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes (75 Pa.C.S. §§ 7321–7331). It allows dealers to formally notify the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Bureau of Motor Vehicles when a trailer has been reclaimed or remains unclaimed after the required notices and waiting periods.

This comprehensive guide explains what Form MV-26D is, who must use it, the legal background, how to complete it correctly, required supporting documents, fees, mailing instructions, and where to download the current official version. All information is drawn from official PennDOT publications and the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code.

What Is PennDOT Form MV-26D?

Form MV-26D is the application watercraft trailer dealers submit to PennDOT to report the disposition of a watercraft trailer that has gone through the statutory forfeiture process. Dealers check one of two boxes:

• Reclaimed Trailer – Complete Sections A, B, and D when the owner or a lienholder reclaims the trailer.
• Unclaimed Trailer – Complete Sections A, C, and D when the trailer remains unclaimed and the dealer wishes to take ownership.

The current revision is MV-26D (2-25). The form collects identifying information about the trailer (make, model, year, registration plate number, vehicle identification number, and title number) and requires certification under penalty of law that the information is true and correct.

Official download link (always use the current version from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania website):

Download Official PennDOT Form MV-26D (PDF)

Legal Authority: 75 Pa.C.S. Chapter 73, Subchapter B

The watercraft trailer forfeiture process is governed by 75 Pa.C.S. §§ 7321–7331. Key points include:

• The subchapter applies only to watercraft trailers left in the possession of watercraft trailer dealers.
• It is designed to work in concert with the parallel boat and marine forfeiture provisions in Title 30 (Fish and Boat Code).
• Forfeiture is limited to trailers whose resale value (based on established industry standards) does not exceed an annually adjusted maximum amount.

For calendar year 2025, the maximum resale value is $1,575, as published by the Department of Transportation in the Pennsylvania Bulletin (Pa.B. Doc. No. 25-357). The maximum is adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers and published in the third publication of the Pennsylvania Bulletin in March.

Related form MV-26 (“Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture”) is used earlier in the process to notify PennDOT and the customer of the dealer’s intent to terminate rights under 75 Pa.C.S. § 7324.

Who Must Use Form MV-26D?

Only licensed watercraft trailer dealers in Pennsylvania use Form MV-26D. Typical situations include:

• A customer leaves a watercraft trailer with the dealer for repair, storage, consignment, or other services and fails to reclaim it within the required time after notice.
• The dealer has completed the certified-mail notices, publication requirements, and waiting periods set out in §§ 7324–7326.
• The trailer has either been reclaimed by the owner/lienholder or remains unclaimed so the dealer may apply for title.

Private individuals, police departments, or salvage yards handling ordinary abandoned vehicles use different forms and procedures under Subchapter A of Chapter 73.

Step-by-Step Process Leading to Form MV-26D

1. Customer fails to reclaim the trailer within 30 days of the terminal date (usually the date the bill is provided).
2. Dealer sends written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to both the customer and PennDOT using the approved form (typically MV-26).
3. PennDOT notifies the last known owner and any lienholders of record.
4. Dealer publishes notice once a week for two consecutive weeks in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the dealer is located.
5. If the trailer is not redeemed within 30 days after the second publication, it is deemed forfeited to the dealer under § 7328.
6. Dealer completes and submits Form MV-26D to PennDOT, along with any required supporting documents and fees.

For an unclaimed trailer of value, the dealer must also submit Form MV-1 (Application for Certificate of Title), a legible tracing of the Vehicle Identification Number, and the applicable title fee so PennDOT can issue a new title in the dealer’s name.

How to Complete Form MV-26D?

The form is divided into clearly labeled sections:

• Section A – Watercraft Trailer Information: Enter make, model, year, registration plate number, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and title number.
• Section B – Notification of Reclaimed Watercraft Trailer: Complete only if the trailer was reclaimed. Indicate the date and whether it was reclaimed by the owner or a lienholder; obtain the signature of the person reclaiming it.
• Section C – Notification of Unclaimed Watercraft Trailer: Check the box confirming the trailer has remained unclaimed for 30 days after the owner was notified and that the dealer requests ownership.
• Section D – Certification: The authorized person signs and dates the form, certifying that all information is true and correct under penalty of 18 Pa.C.S. § 4904(b) (misdemeanor of the third degree). Also provide the watercraft dealer’s name, address, dealer number, and telephone number.

Always use the most recent version of the form. Incomplete or outdated forms are routinely rejected.

Required Fees and Payment

Form MV-26D itself may require a fee depending on the transaction. For a complete and current list of motor vehicle fees, refer to Form MV-70S, Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees, available on the official PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website.

Payment must be made by check or money order payable to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Do not send cash.

When applying for title on an unclaimed trailer, the standard title fee (check current MV-70S) plus a legible VIN tracing must accompany Form MV-1.

Where and How to Submit Form MV-26D?

Mail the completed form (and any supporting documents/fees) to:

Bureau of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 68594
Harrisburg, PA 17106

For questions, contact PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services at 717-412-5300 (TTY callers dial 711) or visit www.pa.gov/dmv.

Important Tips for Watercraft Trailer Dealers

• Keep meticulous records of all certified-mail receipts, publication proofs, and correspondence. These may be needed if ownership is later challenged.
• Confirm that the trailer’s resale value does not exceed the current annual maximum before initiating the forfeiture process.
• A good-faith purchaser of a forfeited trailer from the dealer takes title free of prior liens even if the dealer did not fully comply with every procedural step (§ 7329).
• The process under Subchapter B is distinct from the general abandoned-vehicle procedures used by police and salvors.

Related PennDOT Forms and Resources

• Form MV-26 – Watercraft Trailer Forfeiture (notice form)
• Form MV-1 – Application for Certificate of Title
• Form MV-70S – Bureau of Motor Vehicles Schedule of Fees
• Official Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Chapter 73 (available on the Pennsylvania General Assembly website)

Conclusion

PennDOT Form MV-26D is the final administrative step that allows Pennsylvania watercraft trailer dealers to clear title on, or properly document the reclaiming of, trailers that have gone through the statutory forfeiture process. By following the notice, publication, and waiting-period requirements of 75 Pa.C.S. Chapter 73, Subchapter B, and submitting a complete, current MV-26D, dealers can protect their interests and obtain clear title when a trailer remains unclaimed.