Alright everyone I am starting to remove a ton of comments that are not helpful or have horribly bad advice like just drive it without title. This is not a sounding board for EVs, conspiracies, politics, etc. Keep it on topic and if you have something helpful to add please do so. If not I am going to delete it. I hate to do that but it has become excessive with tin foil hat stuff.
@middlesiderrider Guy, this isn't the place for nonsense stuff. I want this video and comment section to be helpful and informative not just a bunch of crazies spewing off conspiracies. I even said I hate to do that but it was really necessary to keep things on track.
There really needs to be a “barn find” title. Just show a bill of sale, do the VIN check to make sure it ain’t stolen, and then they issue a new title. It really should be that easy.
I lucked out and that's pretty much what happened to my bike when I bought it. Last registered in 98, but when the police ran a VIN search literally no records came up. Which means getting a conditional title was super easy for me.
Paper and lead scraping of the frame number . I did it back in the day a few times . Tried a few years back and dmv refused it . Atv and bikes that is.
In Texas you simply apply for a bonded title. 1) take the vehicle to the vehicle theft task force to check it out 2) take that paperwork to DMV and get title application 3) get bond on title 4) take all paperwork to DMV to register vehicle. It’s not too bad. Will probably cost like $200 in total
The burden is upon to buyer to 1) Not buy a sketchy possibly stolen or disputed vehicle, and 2) factor in the bonded title process and not over pay for a bill of sale only vehicle, and 3) fully understand the bonded title process
Been there, done that. Yes it is a process that can yield a “bonded” title, it should be mentioned that there is a three year period that your title will show “bonded title” right on said title( after 3 years you can apply for a new title without the bonded notation)It can be transferred, so that’s a plus. My gripe, and most likely many peoples gripe, is that the state assigns its own “ value” to a POS, that we have dragged out of the weeds/barn…..and let’s just call that what it is, legal theft. They don’t differentiate between a rust bucket and a driving vehicle.
@@stevenhicks8625 completely agree- I got an old CB350 for $400- obviously not in the best shape. The state said it was worth like $1500 😵💫. Ridiculous.
We're pretty dang lucky here in Tennessee. You can print off for free, a "Certificate of Ownership" where you fill out all the info on the vehicle, your info, and the info of the previous owner and as long as the vehicle is 30 years old or older, you can get a title with that and a bill of sale. I've used it on several bikes now. Also, on stuff newer, you can do that same certificate with an appraisal from a dealer and a clean vin signed off by a local cop, and as long as it's under $3,000 in value, you can get a title too.
@sea_bbs_ yeah I think you do have to be a tennessee resident. It's a great system though! I think it's an extra $30 on top of the regular titling fee or whatever which isn't bad at all in TN. I even did it for my 02 yz426f that I'm supermotoing.
@@masondunlap9417 On the Application it does not say you need to be a Tenn. resident. I wonder if I should roll the dice & just send the form in from Florida, or I do have a good friend that lives in Tenn. It seems like this is my ticket to freedom for a 77 RD400 I bought with no title. Florida is impossible. . One other great thing is the Bill of sale is on the same form (for bikes over 30 years old), Tenn. Certification of Ownership Application.
7/30/23 I may have to do a huge purge of these tinfoil hat comments to keep everything on track. Loooooots of the uncles who get into political arguments on Thanksgiving in the comments section lol. Alright here is my proposal! Someone buys an acre of land and then can sell 1 square foot of it to people so they can then have a Vermont address! It's like the Scottish lord thing you see all the time online except you can be a lord of Vermont! Then you have a real address and are considered a resident!
Dude, anybody can open a P.O. Box in any state. Simply cruise to Vermont, go to random town's post office and open a P.O. Box. Now you have a Vermont address. Doesn't cost a dime. Road Trip!!
Interesting. I have one car that has a borked title from Illinois. Owner is likely dead. An Iowa titled motorcycle that the owner signed the title undated, but passed away around 2005, and another that’s had the Vermont plates, but not been transferred ownership to me as of a year ago. Oh well. I should have got it together a while ago. I’ll probably just end up selling my VW Rabbits and use the one bike for parts.
Over here in the UK you have to get an owners club to verify in writing from photos you’ve sent them that the bike is what it’s supposed to be, then send the letter that the owners club has given you along with a form filled out with the bikes details and photos including engine and frame number and send that to the government agency (DVLA), I did it recently on a 1976 Suzuki GT250A, and it went pretty smooth, cost £30 for the owners club letter and £50 to the DVLA took 3 weeks all in.
South Dakota. They are even more lenient than the Vermont was. Pennington County Treasurer in Rapid City. BINGO ! They will title and register a non vin custom and salvage title plus allow the bike to be registered for street using your state address
I bought a kei fire truck with no title back in May and submitted my paperwork to Vermont DMV a mere 3 days before the deadline. I called their helpline, saying that I had done that before their deadline and they said, "As long as the office receives it before July, we will accept it." Happy to report I got my plates in the mail a few weeks afterwards, and just got my actual registration last week!
I got mine a couple months before the deadline -- had no idea the deadline was coming at the time . Was able to renew this year with no issue...so glad!
I got two 70s Hondas last fall here in MN without titles 1975 CB200T 1974 CB750K. The previous owner passed away about 10 years ago so i was worried about how hard it would be to get a title but luckily his widow I bought them from had registration papers from the 80s for each of the bikes. The DMV required a bill of sale, pictures of all sides of the vehicles/vin numbers on the frames and engines, the old registration and a death certificate for the previous owner to get me a bonded title after signing a "statement of facts". it took a few weeks but I got both titles in the end for around 80 dollars. I couldn't imagine how hard it would be without tons of help from the previous owners widow because a simple bill of sale would not have been enough. So many cars and bikes that could easily be restored never will be because of paperwork issues and its a shame.
I think in Minnesota it can really depend on the worker you get at the dmv on any given day and how they interpret the rules. I’ve gone to one dmv and been shut down then driven across town to a different dmv and had no problems.
That's insane that they still required a bonded title when you had all that background paperwork and a death certificate and it's that old. WTF! What use is the "Statement of Facts" if they apparently don't give a shit what it says and declares obviously.
I just went through the bonded title process here in Wisconsin. It was a bunch of paperwork and took some time but not too difficult. Cost me $200 at my insurance agent to get the bond the WI DMV told me to get. All in all it cost me almost $400 to get a bonded title.
Which is at least $300 too much, assuming WI titles are $50 for a fully depreciated older vehicle. It's just a way for the state to extract more fee$ from the taxpayers...
That sounds in line for pricing in Wisconsin, the title fee to obtain one in wi is 169.50, license plates are 75 bucks plus the tax on the purchase price of the vehicle,
It still sucks when you buy a car or bike for $300, put $200 worth of parts in it and try to sell it for $1,000. For all that labor invested you only get $100 profit if you find a buyer? It kinda destroys the car flipping business, sending more repairable vehicles to the landfill. The only people it benefits are the CEO's of auto manufacturers when people are forced to buy new.
Registering a classic motorcycle here in the UK with our DVLA is a fairly simple straightforward process. We are lucky I guess in only having one nationwide system 🏴
Up until now have never had a problem with any DVLA business. I have acquired truly abandoned vehicles and returned them to the road in the past. It’s been a while since I have done that but IIRC to get a registration/log book in my name was £39? There are some possible legal issues regards ownership but if your ‘claim’ an abandoned vehicle the DVLA send a letter to the last registered keepe r as to if they still own the vehicle. Usually find out within 6 weeks as to whether or not the ‘previous keeper’ is still interested in the car. If not/no response then the V5 log book is sent out to you..
I once bought a GN125 in bits and did a V62 form for V5 and put in a note saying "Bought in parts without number plate and unsure as to colour due to it being painted in the past" so I put silver and they sent me a logbook back,,,, apparently it was blue originally lol
South Dakota I'm also a Missouri resident and have many Missouri friends that have vehicles registered in South Dakota. I've been told you can do that with only a bill of sale.
A national VIN system should be in place for this type of situation even if an individual had to pay a fee and submit a good clear photo of the VIN number and have a waiting period to receive documents to submit for a title heck even having a VIN check included in the system to show if it's stolen or missing.
(As said below, a "Barn Find Title") would be key. Not Federal, but federally standardized and implemented at the state level. AND be fair about it, overcharging might push folks to be dishonest. And be realistic please, getting a signature on title paperwork from the grave is tough. Getting together on this is the only way we will ever see any Process change. Power in numbers thing.
@@jeffstorey9147 Only that the feds are so slow to up take and if we had each state define the parameters, we might have 50 different "standards". It would be great to have a legal way to save road vehicles from being parted out due to title loss.
@@2000freefuel Boy would i like a Log Book with a used car! hahah... yeah aviation is different. Very rare an aircraft paperwork loss. !/2 the value in the aircraft is Log Books. Don't the Brits assign a tag number at initial registration, like a tail number.?
I still have my Vermont Plate. I was wondering how long this would last. Glad my restoration made it through. For the other bike I am working on I will have to go through the traditional Michigan Rules. Could take a long time. The old days are gone with Vermont. Sorry to hear this news. Thank You for the update. Damn.
I feel your pain. Here in MO too, I am still waiting for my Vermont registration and plate for a 1972 Suzuki. Vermont DMV cashed my check on July 6, 2023. Still waiting July 25, 2023. MO needs to pass legislation to protect historic vehicles. Bill of sale, 30 years old, or older and not stolen. Pay fees. Get a title. Should be easy. Email your local Representative, Senator, the Governor.
@@Mahcmahc20 Yes, I received the plate, but I am still waiting for the tag and registration. Thirteen days have passed since I received the plate. Still waiting, but hopeful.
I went through the whole process of ownership in doubt in Washington. Got my bike as a rust bucket from craigslist, hasn't been registered since the 90s. Started with a dmw look up to make sure it wasn't hot, all clear. Applied for the title, had to sent the previous owner a certified letter of release of intrest and asking for the title, and being so old the DMV had no record of ownership. Had to take it to the state patrol to get it inspected and able to register and it helped that I have every nut and bolt documented in a binder. So that bumped me into the 3 years of wait to apply for my title in WA. Another year and half to go! I think as long as you're buying a bike that's not hot, and has such a long time with no registration. It's pretty straight forward process of obtaining a title (at least in WA) just takes a long time.
This kinda happened to me, I bought a Buick GN from a guy down the street in NY. Even though I ha the title and just wanted one in my name, I went to DMV and applied "For title only" and they had no record of it. See this piece of paper in my hand DMV person? The car exists! Try harder
I live in Virginia and bought a camper trailer from a seller in North Carolina, where they don't title trailers. I went the abandoned vehicle route to title the trailer. I had to advertise the trailer as abandoned for some period of time (don't remember how long--it's been a while), and when no one contested, I was able to obtain title. The process was lengthy (several months) but not TOO expensive (under $200). Still, when the overall value of these things is $1K to $2K, it's a huge percentage when you think of it. Bottom line: We need a process to show the darned things aren't stolen. Once that threshold has been met, the rest should be cheap and quick.
In Canada, in these circumstances you can often get an affadavit done by a town clerk/ notary-public. You then take that to the government office and obtain an Ownership
My cx500 had no ownership and in Ontario canada all that was required for an affidavit was to obtain a letter from a Honda dealership that claims the vin number was a match to the make and model. Oddly enough the vin on my bike didn’t have enough characters in it for their search program so I was lucky and they just wrote the letter anyways. It ended up costing me about $180 bucks to get the paperwork sorted.
Oh and since the vin on the bike is too short for the Canadian vin standard they just made up a new one for me. Haha. So my vin on paper doesn’t match my bike anyways. But as far as the law is concerned I’m the first and only owner of my 79 cx500
@@BrickHouseBuilds no, you just have to swear that you are the rightful owner. Some places ask to see a bill of sale , some don’t. It’s quite a simple process thankfully As someone above also mentioned , if there is anything odd with the VIn number (like it’s too short like in the case of an imported bike) they sometimes want a dealer letter. But I’ve never had to venture down that path .
I did a bonded title here in Illinois. The biggest PITA is that the dealers around here don't want to commit to doing an appraisal in writing and signing a piece of paper that says it's correct to the best of their knowledge. I sent a letter to my local Representative and to the Secretary of State who runs the DMV and asked them to change the requirement to accept the "GOOD" NADA value instead of an appraisal. I always now require a Notarized Bill-of-Sale with any bike I buy.
@@BrickHouseBuilds I think I may have been one of the last to use the Vermont Loophole. I just received the registration for a TW200 yesterday in the mail. I had sent it in before the deadline and an about 5 days ago a girl called me and said that my check was $2 short and together we worked it out with a credit card. I guess I was pretty lucky.
The state of Illinois is losing residents in droves with all the high taxes and fees. The secretary of state is more interested in passing laws that give the police an excuse to harass teenagers than actually solve problems or provide good service at the SOS facilities. I was actually thinking about finding an old project bike but the price for anything with a clean title will probably go up without an easy path to obtaining a title.
9:00 I feel like the 23% in income tax along with the 7% sales tax and land taxes I pay should cover the government services of keeping track of my ownership of a vehicle.
This is a real problem. I have passed on some really cool bikes due to this very thing. I have 2 that had slightly "sketchy" but complete paperwork that were both difficult to title but eventually did in my state of AR.
Ar is annoying. I bought a put of state salvage title car b4. They wanted a form filled out with all parts replaced and the vin from the vehicle that the replacement parts came from…
New Hampshire does a vin verification on anything with a number. You don't need a story or a reason. Just go to just about any garage or dealer, and you are good to go, I've had a bunch of vehicles verified and haven't paid a dime doing so. I've heard some places charge, but I haven't been
In TN, we bring the bike/car to the local PD for a VIN search, pay $65 to the local paper to post a notice of ownership (wait 10 days), and send all that to the state, with a Bill of Sale and you get something like a title (can't recall the name), but it allows you to register and plate the vehicle.
Is this still true? I just moved to Westmoreland TN and have a car from out of state with bill of sale,old reg and old insurance info. The previous owner passed away and I can't get a title I've been working on it for 6 months in NY before I moved.
I am glad you made this video. I just don’t waste my time with non titled bikes. They are all over facebook market place. To me they are worthless motorcycles. People want good money for them. But I stay clear. I figure if it was so easy the person selling should get the title.
Yep, non titled bakes are just parts.--- Always love the seller that says "just take this bill of sale to the DMV and they'll give you a title". He's either a liar or a fool, just walk away.
Louisiana allows a "build a title" process. Take the motorcycle to state police office. They run it through the national stolen database (if there is a legible VIN). If it clears, they issue you a certificate to take to DMV.
Bit of a rigmarole to get this done in New Zealand. I kind of envy how easy it is in some US states. Whole process Costs roughly $800 ($500usd). To start you need a declaration saying the vehicle was purchased “deregistered”. Signed by whom you bought it from, and a justice of the peace. So basically a notarised bill of sale. Then it goes for inspection at a state approved inspection site. The inspection is stricter than regular annual inspection, you need to provide proof there is no rust in the rocker panels on older cars for example. Must have fully reconditioned brakes (new pads and rotors basically, but you know as well as I one should rebuild the master and calipers). Brake checks are done, tested for imbalance etc. But that’s it, that’s done, you can then register it in your name. In NZ we don’t have titles, cars are simply registered to a name and that persons driving license. To register, you need current inspection. Registration lapses after 1 year, which results in having to do the above process. If you can’t pass inspection, you can place it on rego hold to prevent it lapsing whilst it’s laid up, but most people forget. But I have seen a car that’s had its hold renewed every year since 1999 though (you can only hold it a year at a time)!
Here in New Zealand we have a national register for all vehicles ,includes the history of all owners,country of origin ,last registered owner ,complete details of vin number etc .reported stolen ,damages ,money owing etc .Easy Peasy .If the vehicles registration has lapsed it has to go through a complete and thorough check by a government agency to be re registered.Also we have a yearly warrant of fitness ,except for vehicles older than 10 years that require a 6monthly warrant of fitness .
And what's the population of NZ, again? And how many registered vehicles since they've existed? Seriously, I don't mean to be a jerk but the differences are astronomical... (shudders thinking about how much tax they would add with our bloated bureaucracy)
@@dric_foreal Ya. The problem, Professor is that motorcycles been around longer than computers. In my state, South Dakota, there are only computerized records up to about 1989. The other part you don't speak of is the costs related to these "easy,peasy" government tyranny. I just transferred a title on a 1978 Super Glide. It cost me $10 to transfer and ten dollars for a permanent historic registration. No bogus "statement of fitness, or any other govt. ass kissing.
on the VT registration form it asks for your address and your mailing address. just pick any legal address in VT as your address and put your out of state address as your mailing address, title, and registration / plate will be mailed to your mailing address.
Thanks for letting people know on such a wide scale. Just got back from Two Wheel Tuesday here in NYC. Will continue to spread the word. It’s a bummer but it’s tricky because it’s something we probably shouldn’t have been able to do in the first place. However, it also sucks because we have no options. I’m a small gov guy but of course jerks ruin things for everyone. I think it’s really up to people to write to their local congresspeople to come up with a new method. I just don’t have any faith in federal powers having much say or making progress on this- it would take wayyyy too long anyway. It sucks because this kind of dooms a lot of really cool old vehicles and makes them parts only (or display items I guess). So tricky.
I have an Argosy/Airstream coach in Hudson with no title. It was previously owned by the NY Highway Patrol. Was totally looking forward to the Vermont trick. Hell, I have a ‘76 BMW R90 with no title, 3 or 4 4Runners with no title, a ‘87gmc with a title I lost, a ‘96 f150 that I also lost the title on, a ‘66bmw neue klass and another 4Runner that I have to apply for lost titles on. And I’m about to glue up some steel for a trailer. What I would really like to know is how to re-vin an automobile. Like if I took all my Toyotas apart and rebuilt a few as 4x4 with 5speed gears and modern power to sell at $30k each, I’d think the trucks need a new vin number. Then they might even be considered new in a bank’s eyes and can be bought with a loan, maybe.
Australia has a national register for vehicles (REV’s). You can check current registration, finance owing, if it’s stolen, written off through damage (unable to be re-registered), had water damage, significant repairs, stolen. All vehicles need to be inspected to be registered.
New Hampshire has 25 year rule, no title needed at 25 years or older. they will just register the vehicle without title or previous registration (you will need a vin verification from form filled out from any garage if you have neither) but once You get the NH registration you can take it to any state who requires titles and they will retitle the vehicle. It’s not nearly as easy but figured I mention it.
Wrong. Everything 1999 and older is title exempt, everything 2000 and newer needs a title forever. In 2025, New Hampshire, for the very first time, will mandate titles for antique vehicles when the 2000 model year becomes 25 years old.
Lived in California and bought a rebuilt bike from Georgia without title… bought after seen video and shipped it to California… paperwork that was supposed to be easy turned into a pain in the arse…
I used the “Vermont” method to get a title for a 1964 Honda several years ago and recently used the same process for an old boat. I guess I just made the deadline by a few weeks. Someone recommended telling my state that I “built “ the boat. I wasn’t comfortable with that. Like you, I just want to legally use the boat or motorcycle.
As an Australian, your system seems unnecessarily complicated. For us (which alters slightly from State to State) all you have to do to register an unregistered vehicle is to obtain a road worthy certificate (from inspectors licenced by the state authority), take the vehicle to a booked appointment at the 'DMV' where you present completed forms with all your details and the vehicle details etc). They inspect it, confirm the VIN and engine number, confirm your ID (from your licence) and check that the VIN and/or engine number aren't stolen or written off by an insurance company from accident damage or theft, provide a receipt (bill of sale), pay the fees and you're done. If its from a deceased estate, the executor of the will can dispose of a vehicle (once their position is confirmed with the DMV). If its registered, or expired within 6 months, the seller and buyer complete a registration transfer form, present that with a road worthiness certificate, pay the fees and you're done. Its only an issue if anything shows up as stolen. A buyer can check a register for this or for any loan security. Easy...
Well it can't be ALL of the US or this video would be pointless. We don't have this mysterious (to us) title document that is often referred to in US videos and it seems that is the main issue.
Here in the UK, there are 2 main differences in the vehicle registration system: firstly we have a central, national system, DVLA, which holds records of every motor vehicle registered in the UK. Secondly, having a vehicle registered in your name (being the Registered Keeper) does not prove ownership - it actually tells you this on the top of the registration document. If you buy a vehicle without documents, as long as it has been previously registered on the system, you just fill in the appropriate form, pay the fee and send it off. DVLA will then write to the last registered keeper to ask if it has been stolen. If they don't receive a reply, after a certain time they will issue a new document in your name (there is no permanent "title", a new registration document is issued every time a vehicle changes hands). There are different procedures if a vehicle has been imported, or built as a one-off special, but all of these are covered in one way or another. Proving ownership is another matter, and would have to be done the same way as with any other goods, by showing proof of purchase.
I linked with a tow company once I found out the car wasn’t stolen I paid the tow company to to house the vehicle for 90 days n paid them to send out for titles and that’s how I got the title n my name. Made it like I purchased the car for the tow company. Abandonment
Bill of sale , checks by a visiting local police officer to your address to check vehicle identification numbers are not current reported stolen , applucation for title completed by new owner.. any charges paid. That should be the national system where no title with vehicle on purchase.
I got pretty lucky on my 1980 cx500. I bought it from some kid who supposedly got it from the owner, no title but there was a release in interest, but it didnt matter because when the Police ran the Vin and old plate from 98 literally no info on the bike came up, so i got to skip a lot of steps to get a conditional title. Edit: im in idaho btw.
@@BrickHouseBuilds yeah, basically I own the bike and the title is in my name, but the conditional title means that in 2 years from approval, if the bike comes up as stolen before I bought it or if the original owner wants it back, then I guess I would have to forfeit the bike. Seemed highly unlikely with my bike, so it was an low risk for me to take. Of course, I bought the bike thinking the paperwork I got was a title and turned out to just be an application for a title, but the previous previous owner had signed a "release of interest", which I could have also used.
I picked up a 72 Honda CB450 here in Michigan last year and it was a breeze to get a title for it. I filled out their online form for missing title, did a NADA "appraisal" online, had a bill of sale, and did an online check on the VIN to prove it wasn't stolen. I think I might have had 20 minutes invested in putting all the paperwork together and I it ended up costing about $35 total and I have a title in my name in about 10 days. I believe the vehicle needs to be purchased within the state of Michigan and you need to be a resident though.
I think a VIN search, plus checking the registering parties criminal history (I know I'll get comments for that), should be sufficient. If it hasn't been reported stolen, and they aren't a habitual criminal, why wouldn't you award a title?
Because conditions exist like lawful owners being separated from their vehicles for extended periods of time (for example rig welders etc gone overseas for months or years) and unable to note a stolen vehicle in time. I get that everybody wants free and easy but life is not simple.
It's too bad they have to get rid of all this stuff because of the incompetence of these people. What if you want to drive the car 3 days out of the year? Oh no register and waste money and go through all this paperwork. Ridiculous. Great video thanks!
Sucks big time BJ hopefully there is another way you can get a title especially as you said you have a business they shouldn’t be crucifying everyone just because of the dishonest ones ,always someone has got to ruin it for others hopefully you get something sorted mate all the best 👌👍🔧🔧🔧❤️
But just because someone is a business owner shouldn't give them an easier chance at getting a title, should be equal for all parties, also just because someone has a business license to sell vehicles doesn't mean they're reputable, look at all the dealers just selling temporary plates.
I sent in paper work for 1926 T. On June 4th 2023 and have been waiting and watching ever day for them to cash the check. I never put the title in my name, that was 30 years ago!
The only option we got now is a bonded title and that’s an awful process! If you fix it during those years and the owner wants it back they can try and get it back.
I got a Texas title for a Vespa 200 Rally. First owner never titled it. Used Vermont to get Texas with argument and gave copies of Vermont law. Total cost for both states was $250.
This is a bummer. I bought an '85 Katana 750 from Canada back in '99 and went this route to get it titled here. It'd be difficult otherwise because those bikes were never imported to the US.
Got back from my purchase trip. I'm leaving the bike on the trailer in case I've got to deliver it to the DMV/ Police. The bike has a 2007 inspection sticker, and was advertised as at 2003 but has the manufacturing date as 1995 right next to the VIN #. I didn't know about Date of Manufacture. The bracket that holds the odometer and speedometer housing has been disconnected. When I saw this yesterday it looks like it needs just two fasteners. But what the heck? This did not stop me from going ahead with the sale. Oh well. Thanks very much for all that you are doing. Clearly, the "State Inspection" process is about all of this. OOPS. I'll let you know. I do live "next door" to Vermont so there may be some relief there. I do have an excellent bill of sale that's notarized with a receipt of my payment attached. The container sales people seemed honest with me. They told me that they did not check the VIN # ~ They are not stupid but I'm feeling that way. My bad. I'm preparing myself to brace for the bad news. 😐
@BrickHouseBuilds you could still get a title through Vermont if you know someone who lives in Vermont and would get you a title through them. Luckily I know someone who lives there and I havent tried it yet but Im pretty sure you can still do it that way.
I found an abandoned derelict bike in a parking garage in CA. I don't recall it being a huge problem. No judge, everything handled through the DMV office. It may have been the case that they had to be able to see that it was once registered in the state. It had been, well over a decade earlier.
Cars and bikes over ten years old should be allowed in all states to be registered with no title if it hasn't been reported stolen. Give it a 6 or 12 month temporary period and that's it. They can even run the vin and contact or try and contact the last owner.
here in UK we have only one system , either apply for a v5 registration or if unknown then a dating certificate from a owners club , vehicle test and they should then get a registration
As a moped person in Canada, I've never had to deal with it. Hear about it all the time because moped laws vary state to state and that seemed like the method to retitle mopeds. Here in Alberta, a registration requires a bill of sale and insurance. Requires an inspection if it came from out of province. A moped *build* requires a Homebuilt VIN if nothing is already there, I had this quoted at the "trailer" cost once because , moped. That took some coercing. But lately they want all the cash they can get. It then requires a request for inspection, inspection, insurance, and you can then get it registered. In moped world this might cost more than buying something new if you can find someone willing to take it in for inspection. A service is great, a fee, ok, but try to keep them from emptying wallets, keep it proportional to vehicle class or something, that vehicle value method's probably close to right. Personally I doubt you do see much of anything, they want to control what's on the roads, and bringing back some old barn junk isn't on their "green" timeline. Theft may be a good reason to hide behind, but that's obviously been happening since day one. There's a bigger agenda to meet EPA goals and tighten controls.
There are service companies in Tennessee that will title a vehicle for you. You have to sell it to them and buy it back titled in Tennessee. The fee you pay for the service doesn’t include the taxes and fees but usually fairly priced.
In WV the previous owner has to file for a lost title, the new owner has little recourse if they don't get the title properly signed over at the time of sale. Our neighbors in Kentucky and Ohio have to have titles signed by a notary at the time of sale.
Being in California I'll can tell you the government and their owners the manufacturers don't want those vehicles on the road. They want you to buy new so title is a good way to keep it off the road.
I am right here next to you in MO. I have slowly been restoring a 71 DT1E for some time that was from my uncle. He bought it new in CA and moved it here in the 80s, title long gone, but the original plate is still on it. Maybe the plates would be part of a useful future process as well? Otherwise, no title, no bill of sale, he has now passed. Once I actually get it together, I guess i will have to go to the judge route. I am a power to the states type of guy when it comes to government, but something federally applicable might be nice here. I cannot wait to stop in the new shop and let me know if I can lend a hand, I am only a town over. I plan on coming on Sept. 30th too!
In the UK we have the V5C, log book, vehicle tax is paid separately, you can apply to the issuing authority for a replacement V5C for the set fee of £25
From what I was told from the Sherif that came to my house to check the VIN on my 1981 Honda CB900C, he just checked that the VIN on the frame matched the engine, and then he ran the numbers to make sure it wasn’t stolen. He said i should be able to take that report and the bill of sale to the BMV and issue a title. I wanted to make sure it was even possible to get a title for it before I started to tear it down. I’ll give you an update on the process. I just think there should be a cap on it that should change yearly, and I’m saying if a bike is over 10 years old without a title and a sherif inspects it to not be stolen then a title should be just that simple to get. Ill let you know how it works out for me here in Indiana
We have something similar in Missouri. The difficulty there I worry about is how the engine numbers do not match the frames. It has never been that way for many motorcycles so Id have to be sure they knew what was up.
They are making it harder to keep old cars/ old bikes in the loop. Im in NB Canada and fought for months with our gov trying to get a bike registered. We have an affidavit form you can fill out but then they told me that form doesn't apply here, then when is it used for.
Glad to see another Missourian trying to get old bikes titled ! I've done the court system and lawyer method. $500+ dollars and over 3 months... We need a easy system to get these old bikes, boats, ATV, cars, etc. titled. Missouri and most other states are losing large amounts of revenue. Titling fees, personal property taxes, license fees, etc. It would be a money maker for each state. Thanks for listening to my ranting! P.s. I am so tired of seeing FB ads saying "you can just apply for a lost title" Keep Riding and Wrenching!
In Australia, there is no such thing as a title. The registration papers are ownership papers. The authorities care only about vehicles that are registered and if they are not, they are off the government's radar. I recently bought five Yamaha XS-650s from a wrecker, three complete and two in peices. Got them for a bargain price with the intention of selling four and keeping one (a '78, my fave model). I've since sold the four and wrote a bill of sale for them giving my name and address, the engine and frame numbers, and the names of the buyers. If and when they want to register those bikes for the road, they'll take that bill of sale to the RMS (DMV to you) and unless they come up as stolen (which they won't), they'll be given registration papers and a licence plate and those people will be the new owners. End of story. Those bikes would've all been registered when they were new and for some years after that and may have passed through several owners during that time. In that case, the the registration papers have a section on the back maked 'Transfer of Ownership' which both parties sign and the buyer takes that to the RMS and the registration (and thus ownership) is transfered into their name. Eventually though, all those bikes were taken off the road and the owners at that time would've handed in the plate and the registration was not renewed but they were still the owners of those bikes. At some point though, they all ended up in the wrecking yard and after their last registration, they may have passed through umpteen owners who inteded to restore them until they finally became mine and then someone else's but the RMS doesn't know or care about any of that and they won't until those bikes are presented for registration next time.
I feel for you. I came to the USA and imported my 2 bikes from overseas. The country I came from does not issue titles. This country only tracks vehicles by engine numbers only, bill of sale not required as previous owner does a quit claim on the registration number and engine number, receipt is only for banks who finance the sale if need be. In 1999 I tried to register the FJ in California and so the saga begins. Got forms went to highway patrol for vin inspection, passed, they didn’t give a crap about roadworthiness. For the 1985 FJ1100 the vin was in the wrong format for the USA and the dmv and they could not enter it into the computer system as they had no process for reformatting an existing vin to allow it to be entered. Also as I did not have a title or bill of sale they suggested I buy a registered titled frame.and swap the parts over, this took 3 years to find one and about 12 months to get the title from the previous owners, and they have messed up the transfer paperwork to the extent it may not be legal, plus I only had a small window in 99 to do this registration due to work and personal commitments so I have not gone ahead but plan to in the next year or so. To prove ownership of the parts to be swapped it was suggested that I sell the engine and parts to myself for $1 and write myself a receipt and have all the old registration data and shipping forms on hand to prove import and previous ownership. My 1965 BSA will register easily but I wasn’t willing to go through the bull crap to get there at the time in 99. Where I came from we had a system where the DMV would issue a new engine or frame number if you could prove legal possession and if the numbers themselves were ambiguous in any way such as mis-stamping or obliteration, this process allowed clearing up of the issues. I re stamped collector cars with numbers matching as built/as delivered/as new vehicle documentation for the show and concourse circuit. The desired numbers had to searched and you could negotiate with a current owner of numbers and buy them but you paid for the previous owners vehicle to be inspected and restated, your vehicle had to be pre inspected then you had 24 hours to re-stamp the numbers and have it post inspected and new paperwork was given to you on the spot to match. It all made sense and if you followed the rules it was no problem. The DMV and police would work with you as you had to pay a fee to do all this but nothing exorbitant just processing fees. New vehicles built by non factory builders had to meet current design and smog rules where as a vintage or a modified older vehicle had to meet the requirements for the year of manufacture, but if you incorporated later technologies you had to meet the rules for the years the technology was approved for use on vehicles. E.G. put an automatic trans in a 1940’s vehicle all the shift/starter interlocks and park function had to work. Good luck and I hope the lunacy is put down.
I did two surety bind titles thru my insurance company this spring on two bikes I got at a auction last fall. The local sheriff came over to inspect the bikes it was a fairly easy process two trips to the dmv two calls with my insurance lady and one visit from the local sheriff. The one bike is on the road the other will be next summer.
Kit car issue as well. I get it, each state can do as they please, but there NEEDS to be a process in each state that let's us get a title/registration so we can njoy our stuff.
Here in montreal I’ve used the “form 148” with the local police identification bureau for several 60’s and 70’s bikes. You fill out all the pertinent bike info, vins, pictures and a brief background story of how you acquired it. They open an investigation into its status. If all is good you get a call for an in person appointment where they present you an officially stamped document to bring to your DMV stating after their investigation you have the right to put the bike in your name, take pictures and place inspection stickers on your frame and engine then they pull out a portable payment system and take their $275 Cad. Depending on how busy they are it can take from one to three weeks.
In Texas, where I am from, I had my Vermont registration denied because it was in my name and was not a transfer. Texas makes getting a title possible but you have to tack on $300 to $400 in extra expense because they will add a non negotiable valuation for which you will have to pay sales tax. I purchased a bike from a friend who had a terminal illness. It was a labor of love for her but it had messed up paperwork. I went through the bonded title application for Texas and the only extra hoop I had to jump through was the physical inspection by a Sworn Peace Officer. He inspects the bike, runs the numbers to see if it's hot and then gives you paperwork certifying the the bike does in fact exist.
There are attorneys in Missouri that will do all the footwork on a bonded title. It's not that expensive at all. Talk to the attorney across the street from the courthouse, because he probably plays golf with the judge and will get it pushed through.
Like you said there needs to be a set of requirements. 1.) Not reported stolen. 2.) Over 20 years old (makes more sense not to have a title). 3.) Bill of sale with a notary. 4.) Submit information about vehicle to motor vehicle. 5.) Pay $100.00 to retitle and make it legal.
Why need a notary for a simple bill of sale? That seems totally overkill, plus what seller wants to deal with that? Just get the seller's signature and be done with it. (I didn't need a notarized anything when I registered my "barn find".)
i live in vermont and for us here if we buy a car from out of state we have to call the local pd and they come do a vin check to make sure it is not stolen and sign off on it then we bring that with a bill of sale to the dmv i think others states should do this same thing for older cars
Possession is ownership and should be titles by the state if; 1) not reported stolen in the last 3 years 2) no open liens 3) no open claims of ownership.
Probably 20 years ago you also needed to be a resident in VT to register like they want you to be now. I just got a street address by renting an ups store box and have your cell phone bill sent there(most dmv’s consider this a utility bill). They allow 2 addresses on the application form. Street address and mailing address. You use the ups store address as the street address but use your out of state address as the mailing address. It was no questions asked. I’m pretty sure this will still work. They consider any person who has property(an address) there a resident and can register cars even if you do not live there full time. This will work better if you are within driving distance and not mailing it in.
Reality is , the government is double dipping on taxes , one’s a person buys a vehicle, and pay taxes on that vehicle, why do another person that buys that vehicle as a used vehicle has to pay taxes on it if they were paid to the government from the first owner, double dipping on citizen.
In 1996 I bought a 1978 Toyota Celica Supra Fastback without a title, and spent the next two years working on the car, and trying to get a title for it!! The guy I bought the car from kept telling me "Don't worry about it, I can get you a title!" but he never did what he said he would!! I had never heard of the Vermont Loophole until just two years ago in 2021 on Uncle Tony's Garage, UA-cam Channel!! And then watching Casey's Customs, I kind of wish now I had of keep that car and my 1981 Chevy Citation (which had a clean title registered in my name) because I would have "chassis swapped" the body of the Citation onto the Supra, and had the only rear wheel drive, 5 speed Chevy Citation on the planet!! BUT ultimately I ended up taking the car to a local junk yard where it got parted out, and then crushed!!!! Even though it ran like a top and had over 500 hours of labor into it, and around $4000 in parts I had put on it in the two years I had owned it!! The point is, loopholes end all the time....and while I am sad to hear this one ended....at the same time, nobody cared when I lost one of my "dream cars" that I couldn't get a title for it!! I know it might sound spiteful, but now a lot of you know what I felt like to own a car, and be powerless to do anything about it, or with it!!!
I'm right there with you. I bought a 1969 dodge polara from Facebook marketplace. The guy had a Virginia title. Virginia is a non notary state. Took it to DMV here in NC. Paid my money got a registration. Well,a couple weeks later I got a letter from DMV stating since the car came from out of state, DMV theft division had to come out and look at the car and check the VIN numbers etc. then do a search . Well the guy came out looked it over and said it'd take 4 months to process. Been over 2 and I'm still waiting. I think personally you should be able to go to DMV ,pay a fee to have them do a vin search and if it isnt stolen or hasnt been registered since Reagan was in office etc. they should give you a title. Just one mans opinion. Best of luck to you. Meanwhile, I'm waiting.
I’m in MT and it’s surprising how many people have bikes for sale without any title. Here in MT we have to go through the process of getting a bonded title. That requires an officer to inspect and run the vin and then a surety bond has to be purchased. Then you send it in with a small fee and cross your fingers.
I just used the Vermont loophole at my Tennessee DMV yesterday. Worked like a charm. Is it just in Missouri that this new rule applies? I sent my paperwork to Vermont in early June, and got my registration and plate last week. Took the reg to the DMV yesterday, asked me if I had a title, I said VT does not issue titles on vehicles over 15 years old, he said ok then entered all the information, gave me a new TN reg and plate, said title would be sent in the mail.
@@BrickHouseBuilds Well crap, I guess I got lucky! Sucks though, since a lot of classic bikes have lost titles. I'll have to figure something else out for next time.
New Hampshire does something similar but you have to have someone there that will fill out a vin form for you and another to go to a dmv to get a title for you
Special "Antique" plates , only weekends on the road as long as the production of this particular vehicle has ended. The whole process is escorted by a "non theft paper" both from police and insurances via VIN number, paid fees, sometimes maybe a will "unexpectedly found in the barn" needed if a quy passed away and everybody is happy
Here in Oklahoma there are people that create income through the Oklahoma Title 42. It's a step by step process of going through some steps to get a legal title for any vehicle. These people will do all the paper work and all the legal steps you need to follow and get you the title to your vehicle legally. You might give it a look and see what you can do legally through oklahoma's title 42 process. You can do it yourself as well but you'll have to go through it all yourself, which will require you to do some research on what steps to take.
In NH, you provide a bill of sale and a previous registration. If you do not have the previous registration, a police officer can verify the vin and run it to make sure it has not been stolen. After that it can be registered. After 15 years, no title is required. Yes, you need to be a resident. We buy and sell on bill of sale all the time. Bummer for the bad apples messing it up for all the rest.
My Son in in NH and hopefully I can utilize that to get a title for a CBX I found in NY. Might be a little tricky. Hopefully the person I am buying it from can find the NY title, that person's father died and is cleaning out the yard/house.
No longer 15 years. It is year 1999 and older. Thanks to NH Rep. Mary Cooney, whose husband who owns a car dealership in Chichester wanted titles mandated for everything, she put the bill in to mandate titles for everything year 2000 model year and newer forever.
Just a friendly FYI for michigan residents. If your orv, or motorcycle/car is more then 7 yrs old, and worth less then 2500(any kbb lowest price or dealer appraisal is accepted) you can use the tr-205 secretary of state form and you can get a title on the spot if the bike was last registererd/titled michigan. If its from out of state then you will need a surety bond in the value of double the appraisal value(usually 50-100). You pay 6 percent tax on the appraisal/kbb price, plus the normal 15 dollar title fee and your all good. Hope it helps someone.
I found a 40 year old 1982 Honda XL500R that had been sitting for 16+ years. I had no bill of sale, not title, no license plate....nothing. I went to the California DMV and it was simple. I had to get it inspected by the CHP for the VIn check and roadworthyness check (after my year-long restoration). I paid about $120 in fees...title, registration, etc. No problem.
@@warrenpeas No, because I made the date on the bill of sale be less than 10 days earlier. Technically I didn't have a bill of sale originally as the bike was given to me, but the DMV has that form. I also filled out a "Statement of Facts" form and described the situation...ie. ..."no title", "never registered previously", "only ridden on their large private property", "donated to me", "restored to be original and fully street legal"...all true BTW. I also had a copy printout of the JD Power value (like Kelly Blue Blook), and a printout of the VINcheck that showed nothing. I had to also fill out a "Verification of Vehicle" form for the VIN verification that I then needed to take to the California Highway Patrol to verify the VIN, but the CHP makes you go to the DMV first to start the paperwork process. There were no late fees or penalties that I saw. Also, I did not have to do any title insurance or "Bond" for the title...I think because the value of it was stated to be under $5000.
That sucks. The fact that every state seems to have different rules, seems a bit weird in 2023. Here in VA you need the title signed over to you, a bill of sale, a passed inspection, and proof of insurance (and residence) to get a title and registration. I just bought a non-runner project that I'm going to try to get running. I'm currently trying to figure out if I can just get the title in my name without registering it for road use....until I get it back on the road. I like your idea about buying land in Vermont and selling square foot parcels. I'm sure there's places in Vermont where you can buy land for super cheap. Someone could probably make money doing that. Or they could do it because they love vintage motorcycles.
I live in VA, yes you can just title the vehicle in your name. I've done it with non-running projects. No need to show insurance or inspection, as the vehicle will not be on the road.
My daughter in VA bought a boat and trailer that hadn't been registered since the 1980s and had two owners since. She had the old title and bills of sale for each sale and they wanted her to find the original owner and have him sign a release. Imagine trying to find someone who sold a boat 30+ years ago! She registered the trailer in Maine (lots of trailers even commercial ones are registered in Maine) and registered the boat in New Hampshire for a year then she registered it in VA using the NH registration.
Notarized bill of sale a vin code check. if it had not been registered for 10 years or if the owner has passed and the family did not register it then pay your fees and title in your name
I'm bummed. I used VT for several cars, all legal & legit. The first time was for a car with Canadian registration. I bought it with all the right papers, bill of sale and import slip. AZ wanted me to go through an importer which would have cost like $2000 by the end of it. VT registered it for $268 including a plate.
In my state of NY its pretty simple to file for a lost title. As long as the vehicle is older than 1971... Still need a Vin check from your local police. Its a bit of leg work. But if its newer than 1971, you're pretty much screwed. If states could institute possibly a more intensive background check for a higher fee at the police level. Then if its clean, no matter the age of the vehicle, and you can prove its in your possession, then it should be allowed to get a replacement title. They get their cut for their due diligence, and we can get our old junk back on the road.
My buddy built a 2 stroke 750 Suzuki Water Buffalo chopper in Texas from all scrap motorcycles. He dropped thousands of dollars on custom work on it and can`t get a title for it. He built it to outrun sport bikes in the quarter and eighth mile. Now he can only run it on the drag strip.
I ran into a similar issue with my 65 truck recently. I had the title but the owner signed it in the wrong spot, which invalidated the title. The bad part, he signed it 20 years ago and passed away around that time too. So the truck sat abandoned in the back yard of someones place for 20 years. The daughter of the P/O of the truck sold it to me and gave me a bill of sale. I figured with that and the old title there was something that could be done.. nope, living in Arizona they told me I had to do a bonded title, the issue, the bond amount is based on the Average retail of the vehicle currently based on the NADA website. I paid 700 for a rusted, neglected farm truck.. NADA average cost of a 1965 F100, $30,000 so I had to get a bond in the amount of $45,000 which came out to be 700.00 I had to pay for the bond. I dont have money laying around so it was hard to come up with that amount of money. I had everything showing that I had the right to the truck a notarized bill of sale also stating that the daughter waved all rights to the truck, as the inheritor of his estate and the title. But because it was an out of state title signed in the wrong spot and not notarized, they forced me to go through the bonded title route. I have a 1967 Suzuki T20 that I was going to rebuild, but without a title that sat in a salvage yard for the better part of 30+ years, I am thinking of just shelving it. I was going to do the Vermont thing, but I am not going to do the bonded title crap again.
The way it ought to work would be a simple form you send in with a copy of the bill of sale, some pictures of the vehicle, an explanation of why you don’t have a title, and a small fee. DMV folks check out the vin for theft and most recent registration if possible. If the application checks out, some official, whether it be a cop or a dmv person will call you and schedule to meet for a physical inspection to verify the vehicle exists, and then issues a title. The whole thing should cost less than 100 bucks and take no more than a 30 days to complete. I have seen this done with a homemade trailer before. Though not exactly the same circumstance, it shouldn’t be any more difficult.
Alright everyone I am starting to remove a ton of comments that are not helpful or have horribly bad advice like just drive it without title. This is not a sounding board for EVs, conspiracies, politics, etc. Keep it on topic and if you have something helpful to add please do so. If not I am going to delete it. I hate to do that but it has become excessive with tin foil hat stuff.
Nice censorship bro. InB4 you remove this comment...
@middlesiderrider Guy, this isn't the place for nonsense stuff. I want this video and comment section to be helpful and informative not just a bunch of crazies spewing off conspiracies. I even said I hate to do that but it was really necessary to keep things on track.
@@BrickHouseBuildsdon't call me Guy, friend
@@middlesiderrider I'm not your friend buddy
@@BrickHouseBuildsyou admitted to committing fraud in this video. Might wanna delete that too
There really needs to be a “barn find” title. Just show a bill of sale, do the VIN check to make sure it ain’t stolen, and then they issue a new title. It really should be that easy.
Sounds nice to me. Literally a specific process for things like this.
Fully Agree with this. Kind of what I was thinking.
BJ maybe people like you and I should contact our state reps and see if we can get some action from them.
This seems like a good solution
I lucked out and that's pretty much what happened to my bike when I bought it. Last registered in 98, but when the police ran a VIN search literally no records came up. Which means getting a conditional title was super easy for me.
I believe its a way to keep old gas engines off the road . NY stopped all the loop holes years ago .
100%
What loophole was that?
Paper and lead scraping of the frame number . I did it back in the day a few times . Tried a few years back and dmv refused it . Atv and bikes that is.
@@chrisgaskill7923 bikes and ATVs are like targets now by at least SCPD
@wlaukaitis same here in NY these days
In Texas you simply apply for a bonded title.
1) take the vehicle to the vehicle theft task force to check it out
2) take that paperwork to DMV and get title application
3) get bond on title
4) take all paperwork to DMV to register vehicle.
It’s not too bad. Will probably cost like $200 in total
The burden is upon to buyer to 1) Not buy a sketchy possibly stolen or disputed vehicle, and 2) factor in the bonded title process and not over pay for a bill of sale only vehicle, and 3) fully understand the bonded title process
Delaware does it that way
I did a bonded title in Mississippi when I got out of high school, was cheap and easy.
Been there, done that. Yes it is a process that can yield a “bonded” title, it should be mentioned that there is a three year period that your title will show “bonded title” right on said title( after 3 years you can apply for a new title without the bonded notation)It can be transferred, so that’s a plus. My gripe, and most likely many peoples gripe, is that the state assigns its own “ value” to a POS, that we have dragged out of the weeds/barn…..and let’s just call that what it is, legal theft. They don’t differentiate between a rust bucket and a driving vehicle.
@@stevenhicks8625 completely agree- I got an old CB350 for $400- obviously not in the best shape. The state said it was worth like $1500 😵💫. Ridiculous.
We're pretty dang lucky here in Tennessee. You can print off for free, a "Certificate of Ownership" where you fill out all the info on the vehicle, your info, and the info of the previous owner and as long as the vehicle is 30 years old or older, you can get a title with that and a bill of sale. I've used it on several bikes now. Also, on stuff newer, you can do that same certificate with an appraisal from a dealer and a clean vin signed off by a local cop, and as long as it's under $3,000 in value, you can get a title too.
Do you have to live in that state to do that?
This is ideal as a model for national adoption.
@sea_bbs_ yeah I think you do have to be a tennessee resident. It's a great system though! I think it's an extra $30 on top of the regular titling fee or whatever which isn't bad at all in TN. I even did it for my 02 yz426f that I'm supermotoing.
Let’s make some money dude I need titles
@@masondunlap9417 On the Application it does not say you need to be a Tenn. resident. I wonder if I should roll the dice & just send the form in from Florida, or I do have a good friend that lives in Tenn. It seems like this is my ticket to freedom for a 77 RD400 I bought with no title. Florida is impossible. . One other great thing is the Bill of sale is on the same form (for bikes over 30 years old), Tenn. Certification of Ownership Application.
7/30/23 I may have to do a huge purge of these tinfoil hat comments to keep everything on track. Loooooots of the uncles who get into political arguments on Thanksgiving in the comments section lol.
Alright here is my proposal! Someone buys an acre of land and then can sell 1 square foot of it to people so they can then have a Vermont address! It's like the Scottish lord thing you see all the time online except you can be a lord of Vermont! Then you have a real address and are considered a resident!
The Lord of VT sounds good…Maybe Duke🤴perhaps. Gonna need a much bigger mailbox 📬 for all them registrations and plates.🤩
Dude, anybody can open a P.O. Box in any state. Simply cruise to Vermont, go to random town's post office and open a P.O. Box. Now you have a Vermont address. Doesn't cost a dime. Road Trip!!
@@jomamma1750 But does it work is the question ?, And if so, how long before that goes south as well .....
@@IrnMaiden304 A P.O. Box is a legal address bub.
Interesting. I have one car that has a borked title from Illinois. Owner is likely dead. An Iowa titled motorcycle that the owner signed the title undated, but passed away around 2005, and another that’s had the Vermont plates, but not been transferred ownership to me as of a year ago.
Oh well. I should have got it together a while ago. I’ll probably just end up selling my VW Rabbits and use the one bike for parts.
Over here in the UK you have to get an owners club to verify in writing from photos you’ve sent them that the bike is what it’s supposed to be, then send the letter that the owners club has given you along with a form filled out with the bikes details and photos including engine and frame number and send that to the government agency (DVLA), I did it recently on a 1976 Suzuki GT250A, and it went pretty smooth, cost £30 for the owners club letter and £50 to the DVLA took 3 weeks all in.
South Dakota. They are even more lenient than the Vermont was. Pennington County Treasurer in Rapid City. BINGO ! They will title and register a non vin custom and salvage title plus allow the bike to be registered for street using your state address
Looks like West Virginia has stepped up to the plate and now will be issuing titles for out of state vehicles!
Is West Virginia actually doing it?
@@bryanjackson8512 I thought Idaho was lewgit as well as South Dakota. I see tons of RV's, Japanese Kei mini cars and bikes with SD plates.
I bought a kei fire truck with no title back in May and submitted my paperwork to Vermont DMV a mere 3 days before the deadline. I called their helpline, saying that I had done that before their deadline and they said, "As long as the office receives it before July, we will accept it."
Happy to report I got my plates in the mail a few weeks afterwards, and just got my actual registration last week!
Awesome! A nail biter for sure!
I got mine a couple months before the deadline -- had no idea the deadline was coming at the time . Was able to renew this year with no issue...so glad!
I got two 70s Hondas last fall here in MN without titles 1975 CB200T 1974 CB750K. The previous owner passed away about 10 years ago so i was worried about how hard it would be to get a title but luckily his widow I bought them from had registration papers from the 80s for each of the bikes. The DMV required a bill of sale, pictures of all sides of the vehicles/vin numbers on the frames and engines, the old registration and a death certificate for the previous owner to get me a bonded title after signing a "statement of facts". it took a few weeks but I got both titles in the end for around 80 dollars. I couldn't imagine how hard it would be without tons of help from the previous owners widow because a simple bill of sale would not have been enough. So many cars and bikes that could easily be restored never will be because of paperwork issues and its a shame.
Thats interesting for sure. The "statement of facts" sounds similar to the declaratory judgement process in a way.
I think in Minnesota it can really depend on the worker you get at the dmv on any given day and how they interpret the rules. I’ve gone to one dmv and been shut down then driven across town to a different dmv and had no problems.
That's insane that they still required a bonded title when you had all that background paperwork and a death certificate and it's that old. WTF! What use is the "Statement of Facts" if they apparently don't give a shit what it says and declares obviously.
I just went through the bonded title process here in Wisconsin. It was a bunch of paperwork and took some time but not too difficult. Cost me $200 at my insurance agent to get the bond the WI DMV told me to get. All in all it cost me almost $400 to get a bonded title.
Which is at least $300 too much, assuming WI titles are $50 for a fully depreciated older vehicle. It's just a way for the state to extract more fee$ from the taxpayers...
Ouch.
That sounds in line for pricing in Wisconsin, the title fee to obtain one in wi is 169.50, license plates are 75 bucks plus the tax on the purchase price of the vehicle,
It still sucks when you buy a car or bike for $300, put $200 worth of parts in it and try to sell it for $1,000. For all that labor invested you only get $100 profit if you find a buyer? It kinda destroys the car flipping business, sending more repairable vehicles to the landfill. The only people it benefits are the CEO's of auto manufacturers when people are forced to buy new.
Four hundred bucks is couch money in 2023. Too bad my state (SC) doesn't do bonded titles.
Registering a classic motorcycle here in the UK with our DVLA is a fairly simple straightforward process. We are lucky I guess in only having one nationwide system 🏴
Up until now have never had a problem with any DVLA business.
I have acquired truly abandoned vehicles and returned them to the road in the past. It’s been a while since I have done that but IIRC to get a registration/log book in my name was £39? There are some possible legal issues regards ownership but if your ‘claim’ an abandoned vehicle the DVLA send a letter to the last registered keepe r as to if they still own the vehicle. Usually find out within 6 weeks as to whether or not the ‘previous keeper’ is still interested in the car. If not/no response then the V5 log book is sent out to you..
I once bought a GN125 in bits and did a V62 form for V5 and put in a note saying "Bought in parts without number plate and unsure as to colour due to it being painted in the past" so I put silver and they sent me a logbook back,,,, apparently it was blue originally lol
South Dakota
I'm also a Missouri resident and have many Missouri friends that have vehicles registered in South Dakota.
I've been told you can do that with only a bill of sale.
A national VIN system should be in place for this type of situation even if an individual had to pay a fee and submit a good clear photo of the VIN number and have a waiting period to receive documents to submit for a title heck even having a VIN check included in the system to show if it's stolen or missing.
(As said below, a "Barn Find Title") would be key. Not Federal, but federally standardized and implemented at the state level. AND be fair about it,
overcharging might push folks to be dishonest. And be realistic please, getting a signature on title paperwork from the grave is tough.
Getting together on this is the only way we will ever see any Process change. Power in numbers thing.
Why not federal?
@@jeffstorey9147 Only that the feds are so slow to up take and if we had each state define the parameters, we might have 50 different "standards". It would be great to have a legal way to save road vehicles from being parted out due to title loss.
We don't need federal involved in vehicle regulations. They screw our lives up enough
This is why I wish cars/trucks/motorcycles were handled like aircraft where the "tail number" is assigned by the manufacturer and never changes.
@@2000freefuel Boy would i like a Log Book with a used car! hahah... yeah aviation is different. Very rare an aircraft paperwork loss. !/2 the value in the aircraft is Log Books. Don't the Brits assign a tag number at initial registration, like a tail number.?
I still have my Vermont Plate. I was wondering how long this would last. Glad my restoration made it through. For the other bike I am working on I will have to go through the traditional Michigan Rules. Could take a long time. The old days are gone with Vermont. Sorry to hear this news. Thank You for the update. Damn.
I feel your pain. Here in MO too, I am still waiting for my Vermont registration and plate for a 1972 Suzuki. Vermont DMV cashed my check on July 6, 2023. Still waiting July 25, 2023. MO needs to pass legislation to protect historic vehicles. Bill of sale, 30 years old, or older and not stolen. Pay fees. Get a title. Should be easy. Email your local Representative, Senator, the Governor.
Hi wondering if you ever got your plate and registration I'm in the same situation???
@@Mahcmahc20 Yes, I received the plate, but I am still waiting for the tag and registration. Thirteen days have passed since I received the plate. Still waiting, but hopeful.
I went through the whole process of ownership in doubt in Washington.
Got my bike as a rust bucket from craigslist, hasn't been registered since the 90s.
Started with a dmw look up to make sure it wasn't hot, all clear.
Applied for the title, had to sent the previous owner a certified letter of release of intrest and asking for the title, and being so old the DMV had no record of ownership.
Had to take it to the state patrol to get it inspected and able to register and it helped that I have every nut and bolt documented in a binder.
So that bumped me into the 3 years of wait to apply for my title in WA. Another year and half to go!
I think as long as you're buying a bike that's not hot, and has such a long time with no registration. It's pretty straight forward process of obtaining a title (at least in WA) just takes a long time.
This kinda happened to me, I bought a Buick GN from a guy down the street in NY. Even though I ha the title and just wanted one in my name, I went to DMV and applied "For title only" and they had no record of it. See this piece of paper in my hand DMV person? The car exists! Try harder
it shouldnt take 4 years to get a title... California can do it in under 2 weeks for residents with only like a 20 dollar fee...
I live in Virginia and bought a camper trailer from a seller in North Carolina, where they don't title trailers. I went the abandoned vehicle route to title the trailer. I had to advertise the trailer as abandoned for some period of time (don't remember how long--it's been a while), and when no one contested, I was able to obtain title. The process was lengthy (several months) but not TOO expensive (under $200). Still, when the overall value of these things is $1K to $2K, it's a huge percentage when you think of it. Bottom line: We need a process to show the darned things aren't stolen. Once that threshold has been met, the rest should be cheap and quick.
In Canada, in these circumstances you can often get an affadavit done by a town clerk/ notary-public. You then take that to the government office and obtain an Ownership
Thats along the lines of the declaratory judgement from the sound of it. At some point in the process does it come down to a persons opinion?
My cx500 had no ownership and in Ontario canada all that was required for an affidavit was to obtain a letter from a Honda dealership that claims the vin number was a match to the make and model. Oddly enough the vin on my bike didn’t have enough characters in it for their search program so I was lucky and they just wrote the letter anyways. It ended up costing me about $180 bucks to get the paperwork sorted.
Oh and since the vin on the bike is too short for the Canadian vin standard they just made up a new one for me. Haha. So my vin on paper doesn’t match my bike anyways. But as far as the law is concerned I’m the first and only owner of my 79 cx500
@@BrickHouseBuilds no, you just have to swear that you are the rightful owner. Some places ask to see a bill of sale , some don’t. It’s quite a simple process thankfully
As someone above also mentioned , if there is anything odd with the VIn number (like it’s too short like in the case of an imported bike) they sometimes want a dealer letter. But I’ve never had to venture down that path .
Just put all those lovely rare barn finds with no title in containers and send them to the UK. We will look after them for you. 👀🧐😎😜🙈
I did a bonded title here in Illinois. The biggest PITA is that the dealers around here don't want to commit to doing an appraisal in writing and signing a piece of paper that says it's correct to the best of their knowledge. I sent a letter to my local Representative and to the Secretary of State who runs the DMV and asked them to change the requirement to accept the "GOOD" NADA value instead of an appraisal.
I always now require a Notarized Bill-of-Sale with any bike I buy.
I have beef with the Illinois DOR anyway because of my Bandit lol. Not fun
@@BrickHouseBuilds I think I may have been one of the last to use the Vermont Loophole. I just received the registration for a TW200 yesterday in the mail. I had sent it in before the deadline and an about 5 days ago a girl called me and said that my check was $2 short and together we worked it out with a credit card. I guess I was pretty lucky.
The state of Illinois is losing residents in droves with all the high taxes and fees. The secretary of state is more interested in passing laws that give the police an excuse to harass teenagers than actually solve problems or provide good service at the SOS facilities. I was actually thinking about finding an old project bike but the price for anything with a clean title will probably go up without an easy path to obtaining a title.
9:00 I feel like the 23% in income tax along with the 7% sales tax and land taxes I pay should cover the government services of keeping track of my ownership of a vehicle.
This is a real problem. I have passed on some really cool bikes due to this very thing. I have 2 that had slightly "sketchy" but complete paperwork that were both difficult to title but eventually did in my state of AR.
Ar is annoying. I bought a put of state salvage title car b4. They wanted a form filled out with all parts replaced and the vin from the vehicle that the replacement parts came from…
New Hampshire does a vin verification on anything with a number. You don't need a story or a reason. Just go to just about any garage or dealer, and you are good to go, I've had a bunch of vehicles verified and haven't paid a dime doing so. I've heard some places charge, but I haven't been
Been seeing many reccomendations for NH actually. Will have to look into it
In TN, we bring the bike/car to the local PD for a VIN search, pay $65 to the local paper to post a notice of ownership (wait 10 days), and send all that to the state, with a Bill of Sale and you get something like a title (can't recall the name), but it allows you to register and plate the vehicle.
Is this still true? I just moved to Westmoreland TN and have a car from out of state with bill of sale,old reg and old insurance info. The previous owner passed away and I can't get a title I've been working on it for 6 months in NY before I moved.
@@bbmikek Yes, sir. www.tn.gov/revenue/title-and-registration/vehicle-titling.html
can you do this in TX by chance?
I am glad you made this video. I just don’t waste my time with non titled bikes. They are all over facebook market place. To me they are worthless motorcycles. People want good money for them. But I stay clear. I figure if it was so easy the person selling should get the title.
Yep, non titled bakes are just parts.--- Always love the seller that says "just take this bill of sale to the DMV and they'll give you a title". He's either a liar or a fool, just walk away.
I'll buy all the non-titled Knuckles and Pans you come across.
@@ranchodeluxe1 Me too I live in VT no titles on cars & trucks over 15 yrs old and no titles before 2003 on motorcycles ATVs and snowmobiles!
@@williamdavidson9009 wanna start a side hussle transferring titles?
I have two bikes I’m screwed with now. 😂
Louisiana allows a "build a title" process. Take the motorcycle to state police office. They run it through the national stolen database (if there is a legible VIN). If it clears, they issue you a certificate to take to DMV.
Bit of a rigmarole to get this done in New Zealand. I kind of envy how easy it is in some US states.
Whole process Costs roughly $800 ($500usd).
To start you need a declaration saying the vehicle was purchased “deregistered”. Signed by whom you bought it from, and a justice of the peace. So basically a notarised bill of sale.
Then it goes for inspection at a state approved inspection site. The inspection is stricter than regular annual inspection, you need to provide proof there is no rust in the rocker panels on older cars for example. Must have fully reconditioned brakes (new pads and rotors basically, but you know as well as I one should rebuild the master and calipers). Brake checks are done, tested for imbalance etc.
But that’s it, that’s done, you can then register it in your name.
In NZ we don’t have titles, cars are simply registered to a name and that persons driving license. To register, you need current inspection. Registration lapses after 1 year, which results in having to do the above process. If you can’t pass inspection, you can place it on rego hold to prevent it lapsing whilst it’s laid up, but most people forget. But I have seen a car that’s had its hold renewed every year since 1999 though (you can only hold it a year at a time)!
Here in New Zealand we have a national register for all vehicles ,includes the history of all owners,country of origin ,last registered owner ,complete details of vin number etc .reported stolen ,damages ,money owing etc .Easy Peasy .If the vehicles registration has lapsed it has to go through a complete and thorough check by a government agency to be re registered.Also we have a yearly warrant of fitness ,except for vehicles older than 10 years that require a 6monthly warrant of fitness .
And what's the population of NZ, again? And how many registered vehicles since they've existed? Seriously, I don't mean to be a jerk but the differences are astronomical...
(shudders thinking about how much tax they would add with our bloated bureaucracy)
I'm almost sure you guy's have computers there ,don't mean to be a jerk !
@@davidallen3050spot on😂
"Easy, Peasy. After a "thorough Government check." Hilarious.
@@dric_foreal Ya. The problem, Professor is that motorcycles been around longer than computers. In my state, South Dakota, there are only computerized records up to about 1989.
The other part you don't speak of is the costs related to these "easy,peasy" government tyranny. I just transferred a title on a 1978 Super Glide. It cost me $10 to transfer and ten dollars for a permanent historic registration. No bogus "statement of fitness, or any other govt. ass kissing.
on the VT registration form it asks for your address and your mailing address. just pick any legal address in VT as your address and put your out of state address as your mailing address, title, and registration / plate will be mailed to your mailing address.
No thanks
Thanks for letting people know on such a wide scale. Just got back from Two Wheel Tuesday here in NYC. Will continue to spread the word. It’s a bummer but it’s tricky because it’s something we probably shouldn’t have been able to do in the first place. However, it also sucks because we have no options. I’m a small gov guy but of course jerks ruin things for everyone. I think it’s really up to people to write to their local congresspeople to come up with a new method. I just don’t have any faith in federal powers having much say or making progress on this- it would take wayyyy too long anyway. It sucks because this kind of dooms a lot of really cool old vehicles and makes them parts only (or display items I guess). So tricky.
I have an Argosy/Airstream coach in Hudson with no title. It was previously owned by the NY Highway Patrol. Was totally looking forward to the Vermont trick. Hell, I have a ‘76 BMW R90 with no title, 3 or 4 4Runners with no title, a ‘87gmc with a title I lost, a ‘96 f150 that I also lost the title on, a ‘66bmw neue klass and another 4Runner that I have to apply for lost titles on. And I’m about to glue up some steel for a trailer.
What I would really like to know is how to re-vin an automobile. Like if I took all my Toyotas apart and rebuilt a few as 4x4 with 5speed gears and modern power to sell at $30k each, I’d think the trucks need a new vin number. Then they might even be considered new in a bank’s eyes and can be bought with a loan, maybe.
Australia has a national register for vehicles (REV’s). You can check current registration, finance owing, if it’s stolen, written off through damage (unable to be re-registered), had water damage, significant repairs, stolen. All vehicles need to be inspected to be registered.
New Hampshire has 25 year rule, no title needed at 25 years or older. they will just register the vehicle without title or previous registration (you will need a vin verification from form filled out from any garage if you have neither) but once You get the NH registration you can take it to any state who requires titles and they will retitle the vehicle. It’s not nearly as easy but figured I mention it.
Same for Maine.
Wrong. Everything 1999 and older is title exempt, everything 2000 and newer needs a title forever. In 2025, New Hampshire, for the very first time, will mandate titles for antique vehicles when the 2000 model year becomes 25 years old.
Lived in California and bought a rebuilt bike from Georgia without title… bought after seen video and shipped it to California… paperwork that was supposed to be easy turned into a pain in the arse…
What happened
America. Where you can buy a gun at the corner store, but you can't register an old 2nd hand motorcycle
I used the “Vermont” method to get a title for a 1964 Honda several years ago and recently used the same process for an old boat. I guess I just made the deadline by a few weeks. Someone recommended telling my state that I “built “ the boat. I wasn’t comfortable with that. Like you, I just want to legally use the boat or motorcycle.
As an Australian, your system seems unnecessarily complicated. For us (which alters slightly from State to State) all you have to do to register an unregistered vehicle is to obtain a road worthy certificate (from inspectors licenced by the state authority), take the vehicle to a booked appointment at the 'DMV' where you present completed forms with all your details and the vehicle details etc). They inspect it, confirm the VIN and engine number, confirm your ID (from your licence) and check that the VIN and/or engine number aren't stolen or written off by an insurance company from accident damage or theft, provide a receipt (bill of sale), pay the fees and you're done. If its from a deceased estate, the executor of the will can dispose of a vehicle (once their position is confirmed with the DMV). If its registered, or expired within 6 months, the seller and buyer complete a registration transfer form, present that with a road worthiness certificate, pay the fees and you're done. Its only an issue if anything shows up as stolen. A buyer can check a register for this or for any loan security. Easy...
That's basically what the process is in a lot of states.
lol you basically described the same exact process that's in place for all of the US
Well it can't be ALL of the US or this video would be pointless. We don't have this mysterious (to us) title document that is often referred to in US videos and it seems that is the main issue.
@@chriscansdale6389 It's not all of the US. But no one was claiming that it was all of the US. It's just most states.
@@RyanHamilton-gr2zm perhaps you should re-read the comment by wc7568 which was the one I was replying to because that's precisely what he said.
Here in the UK, there are 2 main differences in the vehicle registration system: firstly we have a central, national system, DVLA, which holds records of every motor vehicle registered in the UK. Secondly, having a vehicle registered in your name (being the Registered Keeper) does not prove ownership - it actually tells you this on the top of the registration document.
If you buy a vehicle without documents, as long as it has been previously registered on the system, you just fill in the appropriate form, pay the fee and send it off. DVLA will then write to the last registered keeper to ask if it has been stolen. If they don't receive a reply, after a certain time they will issue a new document in your name (there is no permanent "title", a new registration document is issued every time a vehicle changes hands).
There are different procedures if a vehicle has been imported, or built as a one-off special, but all of these are covered in one way or another.
Proving ownership is another matter, and would have to be done the same way as with any other goods, by showing proof of purchase.
There's a new registration every year in the US, the title is the same as a deed proving ownership of the vehicle.
This is a massive issue in South Africa too
I linked with a tow company once I found out the car wasn’t stolen I paid the tow company to to house the vehicle for 90 days n paid them to send out for titles and that’s how I got the title n my name. Made it like I purchased the car for the tow company. Abandonment
Bill of sale , checks by a visiting local police officer to your address to check vehicle identification numbers are not current reported stolen , applucation for title completed by new owner.. any charges paid. That should be the national system where no title with vehicle on purchase.
Seems simple enough. Whats the process called officially?
@@BrickHouseBuildsthat's pretty much what I did, it was an application for a Conditional Title.
Or police too busy fighting crime. Maybe high a person who's trained to do it and charge fees to cover the expenses of having that employee
I have missed so many opportunities to get a nice old bike but backed out but just because there is no easy way to get a title. That is unfortunate.
I got pretty lucky on my 1980 cx500. I bought it from some kid who supposedly got it from the owner, no title but there was a release in interest, but it didnt matter because when the Police ran the Vin and old plate from 98 literally no info on the bike came up, so i got to skip a lot of steps to get a conditional title.
Edit: im in idaho btw.
Were there any stipulations with a conditional title? A bonded title takes time to be free and clear as an example
@@BrickHouseBuilds yeah, basically I own the bike and the title is in my name, but the conditional title means that in 2 years from approval, if the bike comes up as stolen before I bought it or if the original owner wants it back, then I guess I would have to forfeit the bike. Seemed highly unlikely with my bike, so it was an low risk for me to take. Of course, I bought the bike thinking the paperwork I got was a title and turned out to just be an application for a title, but the previous previous owner had signed a "release of interest", which I could have also used.
I picked up a 72 Honda CB450 here in Michigan last year and it was a breeze to get a title for it. I filled out their online form for missing title, did a NADA "appraisal" online, had a bill of sale, and did an online check on the VIN to prove it wasn't stolen. I think I might have had 20 minutes invested in putting all the paperwork together and I it ended up costing about $35 total and I have a title in my name in about 10 days. I believe the vehicle needs to be purchased within the state of Michigan and you need to be a resident though.
Mi is about surety bond now they quit doing lost title few years back .
@@thomas8673 how hard is this, please would you explain a bit
Do you have to live there in order to get it?
I think a VIN search, plus checking the registering parties criminal history (I know I'll get comments for that), should be sufficient.
If it hasn't been reported stolen, and they aren't a habitual criminal, why wouldn't you award a title?
Because conditions exist like lawful owners being separated from their vehicles for extended periods of time (for example rig welders etc gone overseas for months or years) and unable to note a stolen vehicle in time. I get that everybody wants free and easy but life is not simple.
It's too bad they have to get rid of all this stuff because of the incompetence of these people. What if you want to drive the car 3 days out of the year? Oh no register and waste money and go through all this paperwork. Ridiculous. Great video thanks!
Sucks big time BJ hopefully there is another way you can get a title especially as you said you have a business they shouldn’t be crucifying everyone just because of the dishonest ones ,always someone has got to ruin it for others hopefully you get something sorted mate all the best 👌👍🔧🔧🔧❤️
I'm hopeful. It's not like it was the only option but it was just very proven
Hopefully they can or have exceptions for business owners
Thats literally how govt works, a very small group of people do nefarious things and everyone else pays the price.
But just because someone is a business owner shouldn't give them an easier chance at getting a title, should be equal for all parties, also just because someone has a business license to sell vehicles doesn't mean they're reputable, look at all the dealers just selling temporary plates.
@@NewUser-mh8vz I hear ya but I do feel it should carry a slight bit of weight that a person is not trying to take advantage of stuff
I sent in paper work for 1926 T. On June 4th 2023 and have been waiting and watching ever day for them to cash the check. I never put the title in my name, that was 30 years ago!
Crossing my fingers you get it!
The only option we got now is a bonded title and that’s an awful process! If you fix it during those years and the owner wants it back they can try and get it back.
I got a Texas title for a Vespa 200 Rally. First owner never titled it. Used Vermont to get Texas with argument and gave copies of Vermont law. Total cost for both states was $250.
This is a bummer. I bought an '85 Katana 750 from Canada back in '99 and went this route to get it titled here. It'd be difficult otherwise because those bikes were never imported to the US.
Got back from my purchase trip. I'm leaving the bike on the trailer in case I've got to deliver it to the DMV/ Police. The bike has a 2007 inspection sticker, and was advertised as at 2003 but has the manufacturing date as 1995 right next to the VIN #. I didn't know about Date of Manufacture. The bracket that holds the odometer and speedometer housing has been disconnected. When I saw this yesterday it looks like it needs just two fasteners. But what the heck? This did not stop me from going ahead with the sale. Oh well. Thanks very much for all that you are doing. Clearly, the "State Inspection" process is about all of this. OOPS. I'll let you know. I do live "next door" to Vermont so there may be some relief there. I do have an excellent bill of sale that's notarized with a receipt of my payment attached. The container sales people seemed honest with me. They told me that they did not check the VIN # ~ They are not stupid but I'm feeling that way. My bad. I'm preparing myself to brace for the bad news. 😐
@BrickHouseBuilds you could still get a title through Vermont if you know someone who lives in Vermont and would get you a title through them. Luckily I know someone who lives there and I havent tried it yet but Im pretty sure you can still do it that way.
At that point it's a title service but yeah you could do that
@@BrickHouseBuildsI still have family in VT but was told they cannot do it either. ???? So now Im a bit confused.
I found an abandoned derelict bike in a parking garage in CA. I don't recall it being a huge problem. No judge, everything handled through the DMV office. It may have been the case that they had to be able to see that it was once registered in the state. It had been, well over a decade earlier.
I mailed my check and paperwork in late June 2023. Yesterday, 7-26-2023, I received one of the last DMV Loophole, plates. Goodbye Vermont Loophole.
Cars and bikes over ten years old should be allowed in all states to be registered with no title if it hasn't been reported stolen. Give it a 6 or 12 month temporary period and that's it. They can even run the vin and contact or try and contact the last owner.
here in UK we have only one system , either apply for a v5 registration or if unknown then a dating certificate from a owners club , vehicle test and they should then get a registration
i used VT to build, title, and flip old Puchs and Garellis all the time.
As a moped person in Canada, I've never had to deal with it. Hear about it all the time because moped laws vary state to state and that seemed like the method to retitle mopeds.
Here in Alberta, a registration requires a bill of sale and insurance. Requires an inspection if it came from out of province.
A moped *build* requires a Homebuilt VIN if nothing is already there, I had this quoted at the "trailer" cost once because , moped. That took some coercing. But lately they want all the cash they can get.
It then requires a request for inspection, inspection, insurance, and you can then get it registered.
In moped world this might cost more than buying something new if you can find someone willing to take it in for inspection.
A service is great, a fee, ok, but try to keep them from emptying wallets, keep it proportional to vehicle class or something, that vehicle value method's probably close to right.
Personally I doubt you do see much of anything, they want to control what's on the roads, and bringing back some old barn junk isn't on their "green" timeline. Theft may be a good reason to hide behind, but that's obviously been happening since day one. There's a bigger agenda to meet EPA goals and tighten controls.
There are service companies in Tennessee that will title a vehicle for you. You have to sell it to them and buy it back titled in Tennessee. The fee you pay for the service doesn’t include the taxes and fees but usually fairly priced.
Do you have the name of one of the companies?
ditto.. name of companies?
"Saints Engine" I can't post the URL here but google it
In WV the previous owner has to file for a lost title, the new owner has little recourse if they don't get the title properly signed over at the time of sale. Our neighbors in Kentucky and Ohio have to have titles signed by a notary at the time of sale.
Being in California I'll can tell you the government and their owners the manufacturers don't want those vehicles on the road. They want you to buy new so title is a good way to keep it off the road.
I am right here next to you in MO. I have slowly been restoring a 71 DT1E for some time that was from my uncle. He bought it new in CA and moved it here in the 80s, title long gone, but the original plate is still on it.
Maybe the plates would be part of a useful future process as well? Otherwise, no title, no bill of sale, he has now passed.
Once I actually get it together, I guess i will have to go to the judge route.
I am a power to the states type of guy when it comes to government, but something federally applicable might be nice here.
I cannot wait to stop in the new shop and let me know if I can lend a hand, I am only a town over.
I plan on coming on Sept. 30th too!
In the UK we have the V5C, log book, vehicle tax is paid separately, you can apply to the issuing authority for a replacement V5C for the set fee of £25
From what I was told from the Sherif that came to my house to check the VIN on my 1981 Honda CB900C, he just checked that the VIN on the frame matched the engine, and then he ran the numbers to make sure it wasn’t stolen. He said i should be able to take that report and the bill of sale to the BMV and issue a title. I wanted to make sure it was even possible to get a title for it before I started to tear it down. I’ll give you an update on the process. I just think there should be a cap on it that should change yearly, and I’m saying if a bike is over 10 years old without a title and a sherif inspects it to not be stolen then a title should be just that simple to get. Ill let you know how it works out for me here in Indiana
We have something similar in Missouri. The difficulty there I worry about is how the engine numbers do not match the frames. It has never been that way for many motorcycles so Id have to be sure they knew what was up.
They are making it harder to keep old cars/ old bikes in the loop. Im in NB Canada and fought for months with our gov trying to get a bike registered. We have an affidavit form you can fill out but then they told me that form doesn't apply here, then when is it used for.
Glad to see another Missourian trying to get old bikes titled ! I've done the court system and lawyer method. $500+ dollars and over 3 months... We need a easy system to get these old bikes, boats, ATV, cars, etc. titled. Missouri and most other states are losing large amounts of revenue. Titling fees, personal property taxes, license fees, etc. It would be a money maker for each state. Thanks for listening to my ranting! P.s. I am so tired of seeing FB ads saying "you can just apply for a lost title" Keep Riding and Wrenching!
Yeah people are clueless saying just apply for a lost title. So complicated
In Australia, there is no such thing as a title. The registration papers are ownership papers. The authorities care only about vehicles that are registered and if they are not, they are off the government's radar. I recently bought five Yamaha XS-650s from a wrecker, three complete and two in peices. Got them for a bargain price with the intention of selling four and keeping one (a '78, my fave model). I've since sold the four and wrote a bill of sale for them giving my name and address, the engine and frame numbers, and the names of the buyers. If and when they want to register those bikes for the road, they'll take that bill of sale to the RMS (DMV to you) and unless they come up as stolen (which they won't), they'll be given registration papers and a licence plate and those people will be the new owners. End of story. Those bikes would've all been registered when they were new and for some years after that and may have passed through several owners during that time. In that case, the the registration papers have a section on the back maked 'Transfer of Ownership' which both parties sign and the buyer takes that to the RMS and the registration (and thus ownership) is transfered into their name. Eventually though, all those bikes were taken off the road and the owners at that time would've handed in the plate and the registration was not renewed but they were still the owners of those bikes. At some point though, they all ended up in the wrecking yard and after their last registration, they may have passed through umpteen owners who inteded to restore them until they finally became mine and then someone else's but the RMS doesn't know or care about any of that and they won't until those bikes are presented for registration next time.
I feel for you.
I came to the USA and imported my 2 bikes from overseas.
The country I came from does not issue titles.
This country only tracks vehicles by engine numbers only, bill of sale not required as previous owner does a quit claim on the registration number and engine number, receipt is only for banks who finance the sale if need be.
In 1999 I tried to register the FJ in California and so the saga begins.
Got forms went to highway patrol for vin inspection, passed, they didn’t give a crap about roadworthiness.
For the 1985 FJ1100 the vin was in the wrong format for the USA and the dmv and they could not enter it into the computer system as they had no process for reformatting an existing vin to allow it to be entered.
Also as I did not have a title or bill of sale they suggested I buy a registered titled frame.and swap the parts over, this took 3 years to find one and about 12 months to get the title from the previous owners, and they have messed up the transfer paperwork to the extent it may not be legal, plus I only had a small window in 99 to do this registration due to work and personal commitments so I have not gone ahead but plan to in the next year or so.
To prove ownership of the parts to be swapped it was suggested that I sell the engine and parts to myself for $1 and write myself a receipt and have all the old registration data and shipping forms on hand to prove import and previous ownership.
My 1965 BSA will register easily but I wasn’t willing to go through the bull crap to get there at the time in 99.
Where I came from we had a system where the DMV would issue a new engine or frame number if you could prove legal possession and if the numbers themselves were ambiguous in any way such as mis-stamping or obliteration, this process allowed clearing up of the issues.
I re stamped collector cars with numbers matching as built/as delivered/as new vehicle documentation for the show and concourse circuit.
The desired numbers had to searched and you could negotiate with a current owner of numbers and buy them but you paid for the previous owners vehicle to be inspected and restated, your vehicle had to be pre inspected then you had 24 hours to re-stamp the numbers and have it post inspected and new paperwork was given to you on the spot to match.
It all made sense and if you followed the rules it was no problem.
The DMV and police would work with you as you had to pay a fee to do all this but nothing exorbitant just processing fees.
New vehicles built by non factory builders had to meet current design and smog rules where as a vintage or a modified older vehicle had to meet the requirements for the year of manufacture, but if you incorporated later technologies you had to meet the rules for the years the technology was approved for use on vehicles. E.G. put an automatic trans in a 1940’s vehicle all the shift/starter interlocks and park function had to work.
Good luck and I hope the lunacy is put down.
I did two surety bind titles thru my insurance company this spring on two bikes I got at a auction last fall. The local sheriff came over to inspect the bikes it was a fairly easy process two trips to the dmv two calls with my insurance lady and one visit from the local sheriff. The one bike is on the road the other will be next summer.
Kit car issue as well. I get it, each state can do as they please, but there NEEDS to be a process in each state that let's us get a title/registration so we can njoy our stuff.
Here in montreal I’ve used the “form 148” with the local police identification bureau for several 60’s and 70’s bikes. You fill out all the pertinent bike info, vins, pictures and a brief background story of how you acquired it. They open an investigation into its status. If all is good you get a call for an in person appointment where they present you an officially stamped document to bring to your DMV stating after their investigation you have the right to put the bike in your name, take pictures and place inspection stickers on your frame and engine then they pull out a portable payment system and take their $275 Cad. Depending on how busy they are it can take from one to three weeks.
In Texas, where I am from, I had my Vermont registration denied because it was in my name and was not a transfer. Texas makes getting a title possible but you have to tack on $300 to $400 in extra expense because they will add a non negotiable valuation for which you will have to pay sales tax. I purchased a bike from a friend who had a terminal illness. It was a labor of love for her but it had messed up paperwork. I went through the bonded title application for Texas and the only extra hoop I had to jump through was the physical inspection by a Sworn Peace Officer. He inspects the bike, runs the numbers to see if it's hot and then gives you paperwork certifying the the bike does in fact exist.
There are attorneys in Missouri that will do all the footwork on a bonded title. It's not that expensive at all. Talk to the attorney across the street from the courthouse, because he probably plays golf with the judge and will get it pushed through.
Like you said there needs to be a set of requirements. 1.) Not reported stolen. 2.) Over 20 years old (makes more sense not to have a title). 3.) Bill of sale with a notary. 4.) Submit information about vehicle to motor vehicle. 5.) Pay $100.00 to retitle and make it legal.
Why need a notary for a simple bill of sale? That seems totally overkill, plus what seller wants to deal with that? Just get the seller's signature and be done with it. (I didn't need a notarized anything when I registered my "barn find".)
i live in vermont and for us here if we buy a car from out of state we have to call the local pd and they come do a vin check to make sure it is not stolen and sign off on it then we bring that with a bill of sale to the dmv i think others states should do this same thing for older cars
I see you have a link for the West Virginia process. I haven’t had to use it but know a few folks that have. Worked well they said
Yeah a resident there sent me that info and I found it really interesting
Possession is ownership and should be titles by the state if; 1) not reported stolen in the last 3 years 2) no open liens 3) no open claims of ownership.
Probably 20 years ago you also needed to be a resident in VT to register like they want you to be now. I just got a street address by renting an ups store box and have your cell phone bill sent there(most dmv’s consider this a utility bill). They allow 2 addresses on the application form. Street address and mailing address. You use the ups store address as the street address but use your out of state address as the mailing address. It was no questions asked. I’m pretty sure this will still work. They consider any person who has property(an address) there a resident and can register cars even if you do not live there full time. This will work better if you are within driving distance and not mailing it in.
How would you send them the phone bill with the VT address if you’re not in VT?
Reality is , the government is double dipping on taxes , one’s a person buys a vehicle, and pay taxes on that vehicle, why do another person that buys that vehicle as a used vehicle has to pay taxes on it if they were paid to the government from the first owner, double dipping on citizen.
In 1996 I bought a 1978 Toyota Celica Supra Fastback without a title, and spent the next two years working on the car, and trying to get a title for it!! The guy I bought the car from kept telling me "Don't worry about it, I can get you a title!" but he never did what he said he would!!
I had never heard of the Vermont Loophole until just two years ago in 2021 on Uncle Tony's Garage, UA-cam Channel!! And then watching Casey's Customs, I kind of wish now I had of keep that car and my 1981 Chevy Citation (which had a clean title registered in my name) because I would have "chassis swapped" the body of the Citation onto the Supra, and had the only rear wheel drive, 5 speed Chevy Citation on the planet!! BUT ultimately I ended up taking the car to a local junk yard where it got parted out, and then crushed!!!! Even though it ran like a top and had over 500 hours of labor into it, and around $4000 in parts I had put on it in the two years I had owned it!!
The point is, loopholes end all the time....and while I am sad to hear this one ended....at the same time, nobody cared when I lost one of my "dream cars" that I couldn't get a title for it!! I know it might sound spiteful, but now a lot of you know what I felt like to own a car, and be powerless to do anything about it, or with it!!!
I'm right there with you. I bought a 1969 dodge polara from Facebook marketplace. The guy had a Virginia title. Virginia is a non notary state. Took it to DMV here in NC. Paid my money got a registration. Well,a couple weeks later I got a letter from DMV stating since the car came from out of state, DMV theft division had to come out and look at the car and check the VIN numbers etc. then do a search . Well the guy came out looked it over and said it'd take 4 months to process. Been over 2 and I'm still waiting. I think personally you should be able to go to DMV ,pay a fee to have them do a vin search and if it isnt stolen or hasnt been registered since Reagan was in office etc. they should give you a title. Just one mans opinion. Best of luck to you. Meanwhile, I'm waiting.
I’m in MT and it’s surprising how many people have bikes for sale without any title. Here in MT we have to go through the process of getting a bonded title. That requires an officer to inspect and run the vin and then a surety bond has to be purchased. Then you send it in with a small fee and cross your fingers.
I just used the Vermont loophole at my Tennessee DMV yesterday. Worked like a charm. Is it just in Missouri that this new rule applies? I sent my paperwork to Vermont in early June, and got my registration and plate last week. Took the reg to the DMV yesterday, asked me if I had a title, I said VT does not issue titles on vehicles over 15 years old, he said ok then entered all the information, gave me a new TN reg and plate, said title would be sent in the mail.
You just missed the cutoff. Your application via Vermont was likely before the change
@@BrickHouseBuilds Well crap, I guess I got lucky! Sucks though, since a lot of classic bikes have lost titles. I'll have to figure something else out for next time.
New Hampshire does something similar but you have to have someone there that will fill out a vin form for you and another to go to a dmv to get a title for you
Special "Antique" plates , only weekends on the road as long as the production of this particular vehicle has ended. The whole process is escorted by a "non theft paper" both from police and insurances via VIN number, paid fees, sometimes maybe a will "unexpectedly found in the barn" needed if a quy passed away and everybody is happy
Here in Oklahoma there are people that create income through the Oklahoma Title 42. It's a step by step process of going through some steps to get a legal title for any vehicle. These people will do all the paper work and all the legal steps you need to follow and get you the title to your vehicle legally. You might give it a look and see what you can do legally through oklahoma's title 42 process. You can do it yourself as well but you'll have to go through it all yourself, which will require you to do some research on what steps to take.
In NH, you provide a bill of sale and a previous registration. If you do not have the previous registration, a police officer can verify the vin and run it to make sure it has not been stolen. After that it can be registered. After 15 years, no title is required. Yes, you need to be a resident. We buy and sell on bill of sale all the time. Bummer for the bad apples messing it up for all the rest.
My Son in in NH and hopefully I can utilize that to get a title for a CBX I found in NY. Might be a little tricky. Hopefully the person I am buying it from can find the NY title, that person's father died and is cleaning out the yard/house.
No longer 15 years. It is year 1999 and older. Thanks to NH Rep. Mary Cooney, whose husband who owns a car dealership in Chichester wanted titles mandated for everything, she put the bill in to mandate titles for everything year 2000 model year and newer forever.
Just a friendly FYI for michigan residents. If your orv, or motorcycle/car is more then 7 yrs old, and worth less then 2500(any kbb lowest price or dealer appraisal is accepted) you can use the tr-205 secretary of state form and you can get a title on the spot if the bike was last registererd/titled michigan. If its from out of state then you will need a surety bond in the value of double the appraisal value(usually 50-100). You pay 6 percent tax on the appraisal/kbb price, plus the normal 15 dollar title fee and your all good. Hope it helps someone.
Great info thank you!
I found a 40 year old 1982 Honda XL500R that had been sitting for 16+ years. I had no bill of sale, not title, no license plate....nothing. I went to the California DMV and it was simple. I had to get it inspected by the CHP for the VIn check and roadworthyness check (after my year-long restoration). I paid about $120 in fees...title, registration, etc. No problem.
did u pay penalty for waiting a year to title?
@@warrenpeas No, because I made the date on the bill of sale be less than 10 days earlier. Technically I didn't have a bill of sale originally as the bike was given to me, but the DMV has that form. I also filled out a "Statement of Facts" form and described the situation...ie. ..."no title", "never registered previously", "only ridden on their large private property", "donated to me", "restored to be original and fully street legal"...all true BTW. I also had a copy printout of the JD Power value (like Kelly Blue Blook), and a printout of the VINcheck that showed nothing. I had to also fill out a "Verification of Vehicle" form for the VIN verification that I then needed to take to the California Highway Patrol to verify the VIN, but the CHP makes you go to the DMV first to start the paperwork process. There were no late fees or penalties that I saw. Also, I did not have to do any title insurance or "Bond" for the title...I think because the value of it was stated to be under $5000.
In Oklahoma you an affidavit with bill of sale and vin check
That sucks. The fact that every state seems to have different rules, seems a bit weird in 2023. Here in VA you need the title signed over to you, a bill of sale, a passed inspection, and proof of insurance (and residence) to get a title and registration. I just bought a non-runner project that I'm going to try to get running. I'm currently trying to figure out if I can just get the title in my name without registering it for road use....until I get it back on the road.
I like your idea about buying land in Vermont and selling square foot parcels. I'm sure there's places in Vermont where you can buy land for super cheap. Someone could probably make money doing that. Or they could do it because they love vintage motorcycles.
I live in VA, yes you can just title the vehicle in your name. I've done it with non-running projects. No need to show insurance or inspection, as the vehicle will not be on the road.
My daughter in VA bought a boat and trailer that hadn't been registered since the 1980s and had two owners since. She had the old title and bills of sale for each sale and they wanted her to find the original owner and have him sign a release. Imagine trying to find someone who sold a boat 30+ years ago! She registered the trailer in Maine (lots of trailers even commercial ones are registered in Maine) and registered the boat in New Hampshire for a year then she registered it in VA using the NH registration.
Notarized bill of sale a vin code check. if it had not been registered for 10 years or if the owner has passed and the family did not register it then pay your fees and title in your name
I'm bummed. I used VT for several cars, all legal & legit. The first time was for a car with Canadian registration. I bought it with all the right papers, bill of sale and import slip. AZ wanted me to go through an importer which would have cost like $2000 by the end of it. VT registered it for $268 including a plate.
In my state of NY its pretty simple to file for a lost title. As long as the vehicle is older than 1971... Still need a Vin check from your local police. Its a bit of leg work. But if its newer than 1971, you're pretty much screwed. If states could institute possibly a more intensive background check for a higher fee at the police level. Then if its clean, no matter the age of the vehicle, and you can prove its in your possession, then it should be allowed to get a replacement title. They get their cut for their due diligence, and we can get our old junk back on the road.
My buddy built a 2 stroke 750 Suzuki Water Buffalo chopper in Texas from all scrap motorcycles. He dropped thousands of dollars on custom work on it and can`t get a title for it. He built it to outrun sport bikes in the quarter and eighth mile. Now he can only run it on the drag strip.
I ran into a similar issue with my 65 truck recently. I had the title but the owner signed it in the wrong spot, which invalidated the title. The bad part, he signed it 20 years ago and passed away around that time too. So the truck sat abandoned in the back yard of someones place for 20 years. The daughter of the P/O of the truck sold it to me and gave me a bill of sale. I figured with that and the old title there was something that could be done.. nope, living in Arizona they told me I had to do a bonded title, the issue, the bond amount is based on the Average retail of the vehicle currently based on the NADA website. I paid 700 for a rusted, neglected farm truck.. NADA average cost of a 1965 F100, $30,000 so I had to get a bond in the amount of $45,000 which came out to be 700.00 I had to pay for the bond. I dont have money laying around so it was hard to come up with that amount of money.
I had everything showing that I had the right to the truck a notarized bill of sale also stating that the daughter waved all rights to the truck, as the inheritor of his estate and the title. But because it was an out of state title signed in the wrong spot and not notarized, they forced me to go through the bonded title route.
I have a 1967 Suzuki T20 that I was going to rebuild, but without a title that sat in a salvage yard for the better part of 30+ years, I am thinking of just shelving it. I was going to do the Vermont thing, but I am not going to do the bonded title crap again.
Wow. That NADA value is out of control. There's another Vermont out there. You just have to find it. I wish you the best of luck with your projects.
The way it ought to work would be a simple form you send in with a copy of the bill of sale, some pictures of the vehicle, an explanation of why you don’t have a title, and a small fee. DMV folks check out the vin for theft and most recent registration if possible. If the application checks out, some official, whether it be a cop or a dmv person will call you and schedule to meet for a physical inspection to verify the vehicle exists, and then issues a title. The whole thing should cost less than 100 bucks and take no more than a 30 days to complete.
I have seen this done with a homemade trailer before. Though not exactly the same circumstance, it shouldn’t be any more difficult.