What must an owner do if a Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) trailer's plate is lost or damaged?

When a Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) trailer's plate is lost or damaged, the owner must apply for a replacement plate and pay a small fee. This process is crucial as it ensures that the trailer can continue to be legally identified and registered. The replacement plate provides continuous compliance with identification regulations, which helps avoid potential legal issues when using the trailer on public roads.

In pursuing a replacement, the trailer owner is taking the right steps by informing the DMV about the loss or damage, which is a necessary procedure. This action also ensures that all identification records remain up to date and that the trailer is associated with the correct owner in the DMV's system.

Obtaining a new title or waiting for the DMV to issue a new plate are not the correct steps in this scenario, as those actions do not specifically address the immediate need to replace a lost or damaged plate. Dropping off the old plate is also not applicable since the issue is about replacement due to loss or damage, not about returning an existing plate.