Kit Car DMV Resource!!

[Karlo]

SEMAsan.com (http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62292)

Better Info


EPA Kit Car Policy

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/kitcar.htm


Custom Built Car Registration

www.dmv.org

Click around your favorite state to find what you are looking for. Looks like you need to check with your County and State both.

[j0kerno1]

in order to get tags for something u need to take it to an inspection center and I talked to the highway patrol that runs it and he said, with looking at the ariel atoms web site that there was no way to get this legalized in Ohio...so there goes my hopes and dreams.....sheesh...he did take my phone number and said he would check with a few other agencies about what could be done, so who knows.

JR

[Karlo]

I was looking at page 2 of the pending Ohio law, and I think you might have some wiggle room under "collectors vehicle" bottom of page 2 of the attachment below. What are you thoughts?

:popcorn:

[Degeneerit]

Yes I think it could be classified as a collectors car. There are very few rules governing what classifies as a collector's vehicle.

[#Rotor]

did he give indication of what is so wrong with the [That other track car] that it can not be considered road legal there? if I may ask.

[j0kerno1]

The big one was that Ohio requires a windshield that is DOT approved and a windshield wiper...I think the list had a total of 21 things required.

JR

[#Rotor]

oh, sounds like more or less the same as here.... Besides, once you experience driving with a windshield on, I can not imagine why one would ever want to "bee" without it....
Properly done, the windshield is actually very esthetically pleasing to the eye, makes the car look less like a dune-buggy\sand-rail rip-off. Found people to take the car much much more serious, once they realize it actually does have a glass window up front....
and as hard as it is to make people believe, it is actually advantageous to speed...

[BSchoolProf]

Motorcycles don't have windshields, amongst other things. Is there any possibility of registering the vehicle as, bascially, a '4 wheel motorcycle' instead of a 'car'? It's rather like a custom built motorcycle, but with the safety of 4 wheeels instead or 2 (or 3, in some cases).

[B-T]

Most DMV rules classify a motorcycle as a vehicle with no more than 3 wheels, so the T-Rex can qualify, but the SL-R or other exo-cars would not. My backup plan is to go ahead and register the car as a Lotus 7 replica since nobody really knows what that is supposed to look like anyway. So what if the engine is behind the driver???:awais:
BT

[chris trapp]

we had the deronda on the road in michigan,it has all the dot windshield and wiper. we will be at the car show this weekend

[aloysius]

I've looked into the Texas and New Mexico liscense requirements and there are no requirements for a windshield but states do require an emergency/parking brake. That's probably true of most states and in my estimate more of an issue than a windshield. As far as the emissions requirements, none of us will install an old engine in a new car. We will have modern engines and these all have emission equipment installed in their original vehicles. There should be little difficulty in installing such equipment in a kit car to meet the emission requirements. The early computer controlled engines didn't report the status of every system to the DTC connector but required an exhaust analyzer inserted up the exhaust during the emission testing. This test is easy to pass and any engine runnning right can pass it. The air quality in our urban areas is the reason for the emission testing and I for one agree with the requirements. For off road (think track) operations retuning is also not that impossible. So let's all just build fun, clean, safe cars and be done with it.

[Chadillac]

Good post Aloysius. Even though I live in a place that does not require any sort of emissions, I'm still planning on running a catalytic converter. They're relatively cheap, power loss is negligable and really do help clean up the exhaust.

Has anyone heard if the SL-R comes with an emergency/parking brake? I know wilwood does have a parking brake combination caliper. If not, any ideas? If Idaho requires it, I'm guessing every state does.

[aloysius]

...Has anyone heard if the SL-R comes with an emergency/parking brake? ....

RCR does offer a parking brake as an extra option for $650. It is the Wilwood mechanical brake.

[Chadillac]

That wasn't on the order form when I ordered mine. I guess I'll have to call Fran as soon as he gets back from Carlisle.

[B_OBrien]

Has anyone looked into what the NJ "saftey inspection" entails??

[Karlo]

Custom-built vehicles have a unique titling and registration process (http://www.dmv.org/loading-page.php?mainnav_id=52&stateid=30&state=New%20Jersey&section=Custom+Built+Car+Registration&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.state.nj.us%2Fmvc%2FVehicle%2 FSpecialVehicles.htm). If they didn't come from a major automaker, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will want to make sure the car is both safely built and made out of parts that were not stolen.
There are several types of vehicles that fall under this category. Reconstructed vehicles such as dune buggies and kit cars are included, as might be salvaged vehicles (http://www.dmv.org/nj-new-jersey/salvaged-vehicles.php). If you built or modified a vehicle to such an extent that it needs to be reregistered, you'll be asked to provide bills of sale (http://www.dmv.org/nj-new-jersey/bill-of-sale.php) for every major component that you used―so keep diligent records.

Once these vehicles are titled (or before they are titled), they might need to undergo a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection. If the vehicle doesn't have a VIN, the MVC can issue you one.
Custom-built vehicles might also be subject to a safety and emissions inspection (http://www.dmv.org/nj-new-jersey/smog-check.php) as part of the registration process.
To find out how to title and register your custom-built vehicle, the MVC asks that you contact the MVC Central Office at this address and phone number:

Motor Vehicle Commission
120 S. Stockton and Front Street
Trenton, NJ 08611
Phone: (888) 486-3339

[B_OBrien]

Thanks for the post!! I too saw that page. I am wondering if anyone from NJ has gone through the process. NJ can be a real stickler when it comes to auto inspections.....

[sbcrx007]

I'm in Ohio and was wondering these things as well.. Everyone i've talked to thus far with the DMV or highway patrol has been clueless, so...

It did seem like the inspections main point was to determine that none of the parts used were stolen, nothing about the car's roadworthiness, go figure.

I'd go with the 7 replica, or maybe register it as a dune buggy? I just figured I'd worry about the little stuff like that once it was done - there's always wiggle room, or some way to get under the radar.

Jesse

[txjeepn]

In Texas long story short. You can register just about anything you want. If you have OBDII you can register just like any other car on the road and if you dont have OBDII you can get a waiver if you keep it under X miles a year. After alot of reasearch if you have any specific questions let me know and I will point you in the right direction.

[dirt-road-spud]

I'm planning on building the rcr superlight roadster !!! Anyone Registered a car in Kentucky???

[gecko1000]

txjeepn, can you send me a message detailing the registration/inpsection/ other nonsense i need here in tx? im building my exo from scratch and want to know where i can find a list of things its needs, bumper heights, etc. any help would be greatly appreciated

[Chadillac]

I'm planning on building the rcr superlight roadster !!! Anyone Registered a car in Kentucky???

Congragulations dirt-road-spud. We're all expecting a build log from you.

If you check out DMV.org you can find out what requirements there are for you state.

[bolus]

txjeepn, can you send me a message detailing the registration/inpsection/ other nonsense i need here in tx? im building my exo from scratch and want to know where i can find a list of things its needs, bumper heights, etc. any help would be greatly appreciated

All I know is that the guys with Atoms have a really easy time registering in Texas

[txjeepn]

I decided to type it up and post it in one place for everyone I had to go to a few e-mails PMs and websites in my favorites. Here is the data that I have on Texas. If you are in an area of Texas that has OBDII emissions testing you have 2 avenues. Some of the info I have gathered is from an Atom owner that lives a few miles south from me. And some of the data comes from having a chopped up jeep for quite a while. Here is the website for any inspection specific questions you have http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/inspection/veh_class_list.asp?class=Passenger+Car&classsubmit=Go No windshield is required. Wipers only if you have a windshield. Fenders are not required, I had a Jeep with no fenders what so ever for 4 yeas of inspections with no comments what so ever.
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/images/emis_counties.jpg
Below is the list that Silver (an Atom owner) gave me, this will get you a title and get you on the road. If you use an OBDII engine then your annual inspection is no different than anywhere else. And this was specific for Denton County.

1: get insurance, Rally is the preferred Insurance company but you might get lucky and get a policy through your main carrier
2: get the car inspected (the car has an OBDII port) since it is a new car there is supposed to not be emissions testing (this was a tricky subject for mine but not for the other 2 so chose wisely where you go to get it inspected)
3: Take your Inspection, Insurance, theses forms downloadable from the internet, application for title, VIN plate inspection, rebuild sheet, to the Denton county sheriff’s office and visit with the car theft detective. There are only 2 detectives in the county and the other one in Lewisville already told me that he would never do the inspection for someone that didn't live in Lewisville, and even if you live here most of the time he still won't do it.
4: After you get the inspection form filled out by the detective, then go to the dmv office in Denton and provide all of these documents along with a picture of the car, and the MCO and a big check and you'll have your plates and stickers...then about a month later you'll have a title.

If you go a route that does not include an OBDII engine then you can get your inspection through a waiver station. I started looking into this when I saw the bike engined nemesis that is being developed by RCR. Below is the e-mail I got from the DPS.

Any type of Kit Kar that is registered as a 1996 or newer model is handled at our DPS Waiver Stations, because these types of vehicles are not required to be OBDII compliant as they are not driven that much (not a daily driver).

Please contact the local Waiver Station in your area for more details and I have provided a link below that contains the contact information.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/Misc/testing/cont.asp

Thanks,

Ronnie Heselmeyer
Program Specialist
Vehicle Inspection Bureau
TXDPS
(512) 424-2995

[dick bear]

Hey,

I'm new here as a result of seeing a link on another forum and although I didn't (haven't yet) build a exo, I did go through the DMV process in North Carolina for registering the McBearen.

The process in this state is pretty straight forward: 1). they require all the basic safety features (lights, turn signals, horn etc.), 2) they require a notarized written affidavit outlining the primary purchased components source and cost (engine, trany, wheels etc), 3) an appointment with the local DMV inspector (who comes to your shop) handles all the paperwork sent to Raleigh and that's about all.

As seems to be the case in other states they check all numbers for theft and in about 2-weeks time a VIN# is sent to the inspector who then places that number on the vehicle.

Shortly after I began my build of the McBearen I called the local DMV office to get a "pre-final" inspection. I had two things in mind for doing this. First I felt that having one of the inspectors come early to examine the structural aspects of the frame would be helpful to me and secondly I wanted to establish a professional relationship with the local office. I would suggest doing that because most of these guys are motor-heads and if you show an interest in their position as inspector early on they are more likely to support your effort when you make the call for final inspection.

To show how strong that relationship can become, now that I've started a new build (the Mabaan) when the inspector stopped in to say hello he saw the new build and said, "Dick, we need to get the paper work started on this one so there won't be any delay when you're ready!".

The McBearen in registered in NC as: 2007 Custom two-door, Model: McBearen, manufactured by: MarketPoint Productions and carries a short 6-digit VIN#.

I hope this is helpful to someone.

Dick Bear

[dirt-road-spud]

Mark,

Thanks for the welcome,

I'm going to visit rcr this february? and place an order. Hopefully starting the build in april?

Man I'm excited...

[cordycord]

SEMA announced that a bill has been enacted into law in California to require the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to develop and administer a vehicle registration amnesty program, which would be in effect from January 1, 2010, until December 31, 2010. The program would apply to vehicles that were previously registered or classified incorrectly.

Under the new law, the DMV would be required to grant amnesty from prosecution to a vehicle owner if certain conditions are met, including the owner filing a completed application with the department.

Over the years, California’s complex vehicle registration laws have created continued confusion among state hobbyists and those charged with applying these laws at the ground level. The result has been that certain specially constructed hobbyist vehicles (including kit cars, customs and street rods)—estimated at 70,000 by the California Attorney General—may be erroneously titled or registered.

SEMA has worked with the California State Legislature, Attorney General’s office, Bureau of Automotive Repair, DMV and Air Resources Board to find a reasonable solution that will address the interests of all parties, including enthusiasts in the hot-rod market segment, so that specially constructed vehicles can become properly registered and titled in the state.

“Given the looming threat of prosecution that owners of illegally titled specially constructed vehicles were facing, our charge was to find an equitable solution that provided these owners a reasonable period of time to voluntarily retitle their vehicles and pay appropriate back taxes and fees,” said SEMA General Counsel Russ Deane.

“The remaining element of the solution involves reaching an agreement with state regulators on a process by which specially constructed vehicles that have been accepted into the amnesty program can reach achievable smog-check compliance. In addition, we must develop provisions that will accommodate new vehicles being built today for future titling and registration, specifically those that are not among the 500 vehicles annually to which California provides certain smog-check exemptions. On these issues, substantial progress has been made.”

In alliance with member companies and under the banner of the “Green Rod Project,” SEMA has been able to configure a "retrofit kit" of emissions-related aftermarket parts capable of meeting 2008 California smog-check standards. The retrofit kit was installed on a high-mileage '80 El Camino fitted with a '86 fuel-injected 5.7L engine. The 5. 7L 350ci displacement small-block Chevrolet V8 engine is one of the most widely used engine platforms for all types of specially constructed vehicles.

The retrofit kit consists of an aftermarket camshaft, headers, catalytic converters, a muffler, an ignition, an electronic fuel injection (EFI) throttle body intake and an EFI controller.

“Transitioning from a carbureted environment to a fuel-injected environment while utilizing the latest controller technology and emissions parts upgrades available from the specialty-equipment industry resulted in dramatic and unprecedented reductions in tailpipe and evaporative emissions on the test vehicle,” said SEMA Technical Consultant Jim McFarland, who oversaw the Green Rod Project.

“In addition, the retrofit kit actually improved performance and drivability when compared to a carbureted engine and does not limit power in the full-acceleration mode.”

Under California law, 500 exemption permits for specially constructed vehicles are available every year on a first-come, first-served basis. For vehicles with an exemption, a smog-test referee compares the vehicle to those of the era that the vehicle most closely resembles to determine the model year of a specially constructed vehicle.

The vehicle’s owner can choose whether the inspector will certify the vehicle model year by body type or by the engine model year. Only those emissions controls applicable to the model year and that can be reasonably accommodated by the vehicle are required. Recognizing that the demand for the exemptions greatly exceeds the supply, the SEMA Green Rod Project is seeking to provide a solution for vehicles that do not receive one of the 500 annual exemptions.