<INTRO>
After reading about the statement of facts posts, I implore everyone to
share ALL the tips about going to DMV and what is possible there.
(Inexperienced folks listen and heed!) Sometimes it depends on the person
helping you as I actually had 3 different clerks arguing over the licensing
of my roadster! A lot of vagueness in some case that needs to be used to
your advantage - especially when it comes to cost.
My $.02 + all my heartache at the might DMV.
Bill Barber
SRL311-09363 (The Prodigal Roadster)
<LONG>
History: Car parked about 7 years before I went to buy it. Registration
lapsed 6 years. Has 41k miles.
P.O. and I went to DMV in 1993 to transfer title.
DMV: "You cannot transfer the title to a vehicle made in 1969 without a smog
certificate."
ME: "The car has been parked for 7, and does not run. What are my options?"
DMV: "Don't buy it."
ME: "But this is my dream car, the project I always wanted!"
DMV: "P.O. must pay all the back registration plus penalties, then JUNK IT.
Then you can take the junk receipt and we can transfer it to your name."
ME: "What is a JUNK receipt and what does it mean for my registration,
etc.?"
DMV: "A simple Brake, Headlight, and safety inspection done by a certified
garage, along with the smog check. And, By the way, no fees until you go to
register, so you pay nothing in the interim."
ME: "Hmmm. No fees, no smog til later, and I plan on not driving it til I
get it going. Sounds OK."
<NOTE: If something sounds to good to be true, it is.>
After JUNKING the aforementioned car, I leave with a JUNK Receipt as proof
of ownership, only to discover what a JUNKed Car is. My future registration
will forever carry a block that says SALVAGED VEHICLE which make the value,
well, the same as JUNK. On top of that, I did not know any peace officers,
so the 7 MONTH WAIT at the nearest inspection facility precluded me from
packing my car to Japan. The Navy will not move a car using a JUNK Receipt
as proof of ownership. Now, 7 years later, my car is still in my fathers
garage waiting for me.
It is my own fault for not knowing to explore all the options. I could use
age as an excuse, but now the best I can do is ask that everyone pass on
what they have learned, and try to help others from getting caught in
something like that.
TALK TO OTHER S BEFORE YOU GO TO DMV UNPREPARED. READ UP IF YOU CAN
UNDERSTAND ALL THE CODES AND STATUTES.
My $.04
|