Colorado Form Dr 2697 PDF Details
Colorado Form DR 2697 is the official Certification of Equipment Compliance for Homemade and In Lieu of Bond Trailers. The Colorado Department of Revenue Division of Motor Vehicles issues this form to certify that a trailer meets the equipment and safety standards required for legal highway use under the Colorado Revised Statutes.
What is the DR 2697 certification?
The DR 2697 certification is a required document that confirms a homemade or kit trailer has passed a physical inspection by a P.O.S.T. Certified VIN Inspector. Because homemade and kit trailers do not come with a standard manufacturer certificate of origin, the state requires this compliance certification before issuing a Colorado title and registration.
When a P.O.S.T. Certified VIN Inspector completes Form DR 2697, they are certifying that the trailer has all the safety equipment required by Colorado law. This includes lighting, reflectors, safety chains, and brakes where required by the gross weight of the trailer. The certification is specific to each trailer and cannot be transferred to a different vehicle.
Without a properly completed and signed DR 2697, the county motor vehicle office will not process a title or registration application for a homemade or kit trailer. The form must be signed by the inspector and must reflect the current condition of the trailer at the time of the inspection.
Who needs Colorado Form DR 2697?
You must complete Form DR 2697 if you are registering one of the following types of trailers in Colorado:
- A homemade trailer built without a manufacturer-assigned vehicle identification number (VIN)
- A kit trailer assembled from purchased parts or components
- A trailer previously registered in a state that does not issue titles
- A trailer applying through the In Lieu of Bond process, for trailers weighing 2,000 pounds or less
Trailer owners who lack conventional ownership documents are directed to the In Lieu of Bond process. This includes trailers built from scratch or assembled using an invoice or bill of sale for kit trailer parts.
If you purchased a trailer from another state that does not issue titles, you also need Form DR 2697 to obtain a Colorado title. The form establishes that the trailer meets Colorado equipment and safety requirements, replacing the documentation that would normally accompany a titled vehicle.
Fees and costs for Colorado DR 2697
Two fees apply when you go through the DR 2697 process in Colorado.
The first is the VIN inspection fee of $20.00. You pay this fee directly to the P.O.S.T. Certified VIN Inspector at the time of the physical inspection. This fee covers the inspector's review of your trailer and the completion of the DR 2697 certification form and the Colorado Roadworthy Trailer Checklist.
The second is the title and registration fee, which is paid to the county motor vehicle office when you submit your completed application. The total registration fee varies based on the trailer's gross weight and the county where you register. Contact your local county motor vehicle office before submitting your documents to get an accurate estimate of the fees you will owe.
Some counties also charge an administrative fee when issuing a new title for a homemade trailer. Ask your county office about any additional costs when you call to confirm the required documents. Keep all receipts from both the VIN inspection and the county office as proof of payment for your records.
What to bring when submitting DR 2697
Before taking Form DR 2697 to your local Colorado DMV office, gather these required documents:
- DR 2704 Colorado Certified VIN Inspection - must be completed by a P.O.S.T. Certified VIN Inspector
- Colorado Roadworthy Trailer Checklist - evaluated and signed by the same certified VIN inspector
- Evidence of ownership - a registration from a state that does not issue titles, a statement of trailer ownership or assembly, or an invoice or bill of sale for kit trailer components
- VIN inspection fee of $20.00 - paid at the time of the P.O.S.T. inspection
All documents must be submitted together when applying for the Colorado trailer title and registration. Incomplete applications will be returned without processing. Keep copies of all forms and payment receipts after the county processes your application.
Equipment checklist covered in Form DR 2697
Form DR 2697 includes a detailed equipment checklist. A P.O.S.T. Certified VIN Inspector must verify that each item listed below is present and in proper working order before signing the certification:
- Tail lamps (functional at the rear of the trailer)
- Stop lamps (activated when brakes are applied)
- Safety chains (properly attached and of adequate strength)
- Rear reflectors (visible from a required distance)
- Trailer brakes, if required by the trailer's gross weight under Colorado law
- Tires in proper condition without excessive wear or damage
The inspector also records any additional comments or explanations about the trailer's condition in the designated field on the form. The inspector's signature and the inspection date must appear on the completed DR 2697 before it is submitted to the DMV.
If the inspector finds that any required equipment is missing or not functioning properly, the inspection will not pass. You must repair or install the missing equipment and schedule a new inspection before the DR 2697 can be signed and submitted to the county.
How to complete the Colorado trailer registration process
Registering a homemade or kit trailer in Colorado follows a required sequence of steps. Completing each step in order helps avoid delays and returned applications at the county motor vehicle office.
- Prepare the trailer for inspection. Confirm that the trailer has all required safety equipment before scheduling the VIN inspection. Check that tail lamps, stop lamps, safety chains, rear reflectors, and tires are in proper working order. Install trailer brakes if the gross weight of the trailer requires them under Colorado law.
- Schedule a VIN inspection. Contact a P.O.S.T. Certified VIN Inspector in your county to arrange the physical inspection. Bring the trailer to the inspection site and pay the $20.00 VIN inspection fee at that time.
- Receive your completed forms. If the trailer passes, the inspector signs the Certification of Equipment Compliance (DR 2697) and Form DR 2704 (Certified VIN Inspection). The inspector also completes the Colorado Roadworthy Trailer Checklist at the same appointment.
- Gather proof of ownership documents. Collect all available ownership documentation. This may include a bill of sale, an invoice for kit trailer components, a motor vehicle ownership affidavit, or an out-of-state registration from a state that does not issue titles.
- Submit all documents to the county motor vehicle office. Take the completed forms, proof of ownership, and the required fees to your local county office. The county processes the application and issues a Colorado title and registration certificate for the trailer.
After the county issues your Colorado title, store it in a secure location. The title serves as legal proof of ownership and is required for future registration renewals and any future sale or transfer of the trailer.
Related Colorado DMV forms on FormsPal
When registering your trailer in Colorado, you may also need these related forms:
| Question | Answer |
|---|
| Form Name | Colorado Form Dr 2697 |
| Form Length | 1 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 15 sec |
| Other names | colorado dr2697, state of colorado form dr2697, dr 2697, dr 2697 colorado |
