Trailer Certification

NMMA boat trailer certification program helps boat trailer manufacturers comply with established industry standards and federal safety regulations, and promote their compliance to the public.

The NMMA program certifies that the trailer's design meets the standards in the NMMA Trailer Certification Handbook, which details both the administrative and technical details of this program. The manufacturer is responsible for ensuring their production units are manufactured in compliance with the certified design.

NMMA trailer certification standards are based on those published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 49.

NMMA Trailer Certification includes:

• VIN plates
• Trailer and tire capacity ratings
• Couplings
• Safety chains
• Lighting systems
• Conspicuity systems
• Hand winches
• Brakes
• Registration procedures
• Record retention
• Consumer information

A manufacturer participating in this program must certify all models as fitted with all factory supplied equipment on a model year basis.  Inspectors visit the manufacturer and physically inspect each trailer model for compliance to all certification standards.
 

Related Trailer Certification pages

• Certified Manufacturers
• Joint NATM Inspection Program 

For more information, please contact:

Scott Berry
Senior Director, Engineering Standards
312.946.6254