How to title a hot rod

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'''Source www.dmv.org/wv-west-virginia/custom-built-cars.php'''
 
'''Source www.dmv.org/wv-west-virginia/custom-built-cars.php'''
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===Wisconsin===
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====Summary====
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Wisconsin's hot rod community was the first in the nation to successfully pressure their state government for regulations governing modified or homemade vehicles.  These regulations have gone on to become a template for SEMA's model legislation and the regulations adopted in many other states across the nation.  Wisconsin's "Hobby Plate" celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2006 and the regulations have been improved and updated numerous times since they were first passed in 1976. (See Street Rodder, Primedia Specialty Group Inc., August 2006, pp 66-68).
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While Wisconson is something of a success story in terms of its laws, that does not mean the state is without its problems.  Many rodders still encounter difficulty with their local or state DMV offices, primarily because state employees are not properly trained and informed of the Hobby Plate.  In additon, the Wisconsin State Patrol has been found to be improperly trained and knowledgable about the state's own regulations.
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Wisconsin offers lifetime, non-expiring, non-personalized hobbyist license plates to ''replicas'', ''street-modified'' vehicles, and ''reconstructed'' vehicles, all of which must be at least 20 years old, or replicas of a vehicle that is at least 20 years old. These regulations are different from ''collector'' registrations, which are available for vehicles that haven't been altered or modified.
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Different regulations apply to different classifications of vehicles. Generally, a ''street modified'' vehicle would be what is typically known as a hot rod or street rod, and it's specified as a vehicle that "can still be recognized as the original year and make". A ''reconstructed'' vehicle is one that is "no longer recognizable as the original vehicle". Registration for ''reconstructed'' vehicles requires bills of sale for all major parts used in the vehicle, as well as an inspection by a Wisconsin State Patrol Officer. A fourth, less common specification, ''motorized homemade vehicle'', is designated as a vehicle that "must have been constructed from new or used parts not originating from or resembling a previously manufactured motor vehicle". ''Motorized homemade vehicles'' also require inspection by a Wisconsin State Patrol Officer prior to registration.
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==== Specific Details ====
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===== Hobby vehicles which already have a VIN =====
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Wisconsin offers lifetime, non-expiring, non-personalized hobbyist license plates in the following categories:
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        a)Reconstructed Vehicle
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        b)Motorized homemade vehicle
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        c)Street Modified Vehicle
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        d)Replica Vehicle
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  A) RECONSTRUCTED VEHICLES are defined as follows:
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        * Vehicle must be constructed from a vehicle at least 20 years old.
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        * Vehicle must no longer be recognizable as the original vehicle.
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        * Vehicle must be inspected by a Wisconsin State Patrol Officer.
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        * Application materials must include bills of sale for all major parts
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Reconstructed vehicles normally refer to a salvage (junked) vehicle which has been reconstructed but the original title was declared "salvaged".  These vehicles must meet the safety standards which applied in the year the vehicle was originally built.  Because of their unique nature (having a "salvaged title") most hot rods will NOT be titled under this category.  Some rodders also avoid this category because of the required state safety inspection.
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    B) MOTORIZED HOMEMADE VEHICLES are defined as follows:
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        * Homemade motor vehicles, other than motorcycles, qualify for Hobbyist plates.
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        * Vehicle must have been constructed from new or used parts not originating from or   
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          resembling a previously manufactured motor vehicle.
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        * Homemade motorcycles that replicate a cycle at least 20 years old.
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        * Vehicle must be inspected by a Wisconsin State Patrol Officer.
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The Homemade Vehicle category is the most difficult of all the categories because  it requires that the vehicle pass the safety requirements for the year the vehicle was COMPLETED - not the year it might replicate or mimic. For example, if the car was completed in 2006, it would have to meet the exact same safety and pollution standards as a 2006 Lexus. Most rodders avoid this category like the plague.
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    C) STREET MODIFIED VEHICLES are defined as follows:
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      * Vehicle must be at least 20 years old.
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      * Vehicle may be modified from the original manufacturer's specifications.
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      * Vehicle can still be recognized as the original year and make.
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      * Vehicles are typically known as "hot rods" or "street rods."
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By its very definition, this is the category most hot rods fit into.  In order to title a vehicle in this category the owner must file [http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/forms/mv2855.pdf form MV2855]. This is a surprisingly simple PDF form which designates the VIN, year, model and weight of the car along with your name and address. Most notably this form also serves as a "self affirmation" that the vehicle meets all applicable state safety requirements. In the case of Street Modified and Replica vehicles, the applicable safety requirements are those that were in effect IN THE YEAR THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED.  Thus, if you have a 1932 Ford, you must meet the safety requires that were in effect in 1932.  There is no state safety inspection required for vehicles in this category.  It should be noted, however, that state or local police CAN cite you for safety violations if they should stop you and determine you are not in compliance.  In the event this happens, the owner needs to be intimately familiar with the state code governing these vehicles. 
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In order to title the vehicle the owner should take the original title for the vehicle along with a completed form MV2855 to the local DMV office where they will also fill out form MV-1 which is the standard "Title/License Plate Application".
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Street Modified vehicles qualify for either a normal licence plate (personalized plates, etc.) or a Hobbyist Plate.  The advantage of a hobby plate is that you pay a one time fee, approximately $160, but then the plate is good for your lifetime.  It can also be transferred to another car should you sell the existing car and purchase another which also qualifies for the Hobby plate.  If you purchase additional qualified vechilces, the plate cost for each is reduced to $110.
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In the event the owner does not have a title (but the vehicle has an original VIN) you must apply for a replacement title using state form MV-1.  The WDOT may require that the VIN be inspected and certified by a law enforcement officer (state or local police) and then their certification forwarded to the WDOT.
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    D) REPLICA VEHICLES are defined as follows:
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      * Vehicle is a reproduction of a vehicle originally made by another manufacturer.
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      * Vehicle must replicate a vehicle at least 20 years old.
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      * "Kit cars" may be replicas.
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      * May need to have MV2855 PDF completed.
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The Replica Vehicle category is quite similar to the Street Modified category but applies when the builder has purchased the major components (body, chassis, etc) new from an after market manufacturer rather than assembling older parts from original vehicles.  In many cases these manufacturers will supply a certification of construction along with a bill of sale.  In most cases, however, these vehicles will not have a VIN and the owner will have to follow the process for obtaining a VIN as described below.
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Replica Vehicles do not require a state safety inspection.  Instead, the owner will complete [http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/forms/mv2855.pdf form MV2855] to "self certify" that the vehicle meets all required safety standards.  As with Street Modified vehicles, the applicable safety standards are those for the year the car replicates.  For example, if you have 1932 Ford kit car, it must meet the safety requirements in place during 1932.
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===== Hobby vehicles without a VIN =====
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In the event your vehicle does not have a VIN you will need to have the state assign one.  Unfortunately, there are no directions on the WDOT web site to do this and very little in the state regulations. However, Curt Rymkus, who sat on the state legislative committee which wrote the original Hobby Plate legislation, as well as all of the updates to those regulations, offers a solution. In a 2006 interview, he said that the process for obtaining a VIN for a street rod or hot rod is as follows:
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a) Fill out and submit [http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/forms/mv2855.pdf form MV2855] to the state DOT office.  Include a written notation that the vehicle requires a new VIN.
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b)  The State office of DOT "should" respond with a request for copies of your receipts for all major components of the vehicle (engine, trans, body, frame etc.).  This information is to insure that applicable sales taxes have been paid for all of your components.  Copy and submit these receipts. 
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c)  Once the receipts are submitted, the state DOT "should" respond by sending you a state assigned VIN already stamped on a metal plate.
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d) The owner must attach the VIN to the vehicle as instructed by WDOT.
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e)  The owner must then schedule an appointment with a state or local police officer to inspect and certify the installation of the VIN.  The officer will provide you with the form which he will complete. 
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f)  Submit the inspection form to WDOT
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g)  Then continue the normal title/plate application process using form MV-1
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Note the "shoulds" in the above description.  Some local and state DOT employees as well as some State Police Officers have not been trained in this process and do NOT know how these applications are handled.  So the applicant may need to make some follow up inquiries and/or phone calls if the state DOT does not seem to be responding properly.
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===== Antique and collector cars =====
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Please note that antique and collector cars, cars which are stock, restored or minimally modified,  are titled and licensed under different regulations than hot rods. For more information, see [http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/vehicles/personal/special/collecto.htm Wisconsin Antique and Collector Cars Regulations].
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4) Full details are available at the [http://www.dot.state.wi.us/drivers/vehicles/personal/special/hobbyist.htm Hobbyist License Plates section] of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
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*To register a hobbyist vehicle, you must have at least one other vehicle currently registered in Wisconsin under the same name.
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*To operate a hobbyist vehicle during the month of January, you must purchase a temporary plate for $30.
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*An emission test is required for the following counties: Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Waukesha, and Washington.
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*For most cars and trucks, the cost is about $150-$175, depending on weight. A $50 discount is offered if this is your second and subsequent plate, or if it's being transferred from a vehicle you already own.
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*You can get a temporary plate while your hobbyist order is being processed. You can only operate a vehicle without a plate for two business days within your date of purchase.
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===== Application Process on WDOT Website =====
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*Complete and sign the [http://www.dot.state.wi.us/drivers/forms/mv2388.pdf Hobbyist Registration Application form MV2388]
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*If the vehicle is already titled in your name and:
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**Is currently registered and designated with one of the Hobbyist vehicle types, send a copy of your Certificate of Registration.
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**Is NOT currently registered, or is NOT designated with one of the Hobbyist vehicle types, send the actual Certificate of Title - not a photocopy.
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*If the vehicle is NOT titled in your name, send a completed Title Application form MV1 or MV11 and fees, including Hobbyist registration fees determined from [http://www.dot.state.wi.us/drivers/vehicles/personal/special/hobbyist.htm fee table].
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*Make check or money order payable to: Registration Fee Trust
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*Mail to Wisconsin Department of Transportation (address below).
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====Contact Details====
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'''Wisconsin Department of Transportation'''
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*E-mail: special-plates.dmv@dot.state.wi.us
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*Phone: (608) 266-3041 between 8 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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*Fax: (608) 267-5106
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*physical address: Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Special Plates Unit, P.O. Box 7911, Madison WI 53707-7911
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====Additional Resources====
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Rodders going through the title process should familiarize themselves with the applicable state codes and regulations.  These regulations can be found in the following links.
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*[http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/lawbook.htm Wisconsin Motor Vehicle Laws]
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*[http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/trans/trans305.pdf Wisconsin Standards for Vehicle Equipment]
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*[http://www.legis.state.wi.us/Statutes/Stat0347.pdf Wisconsin Equipment Regulations]
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*[http://www.legis.state.wi.us/Statutes/Stat0341.pdf Wisconsin Vehicle Registration]
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===Wyoming===
 
===Wyoming===
 
   I live in Laramie, Wyoming and have two 1984 GMC Sierra Classic trucks. I have no title for either. They tell me at the county seat that I must go to the original owner and have them fill out a form. I have no idea who the original owner was. I have had both trucks for several years. I haven't any idea what to do. One has no VIN. number at all!
 
   I live in Laramie, Wyoming and have two 1984 GMC Sierra Classic trucks. I have no title for either. They tell me at the county seat that I must go to the original owner and have them fill out a form. I have no idea who the original owner was. I have had both trucks for several years. I haven't any idea what to do. One has no VIN. number at all!

Revision as of 12:26, 6 February 2009

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