I am now into the worst part of the build that I have dreaded.... Title paperwork.

[nucjd19]

Hey fellas,
Not a particular question but maybe there is one hidden in this post. I live in Alabama and I am extremely lucky to not have some of the red tape that a lot of you guys have in other states (looking squarely at you California). But, I am stressing out over getting my VIN number and therefore title and tag. First was getting all of the paper work together which included state forms (Notarized) , bills of sale (Notarized) and MSO. Then getting it to the DMV which was a junk show. Mailed it priority mail and watched it bump around different cities in my state for 7 days getting delayed to finally say it was delivered. Then waiting 2 weeks and calling the state to make sure they actually got it and it was not lost. BTW, you CAN get a replacement MSO for 85 dollars from FFR if you need it I found out. This then spiraled into 3 weeks of calls and opening tickets where they did not see it in the system and no one seemed to know who actually checked the PO box for "this kind of stuff". Now, I finally got an email from the state saying they have received and processing everything and I will hear from an inspector in a "few" weeks.

I am super fortunate to have great folks on here from Bama on the FFR forum (wareaglescott, scottmillhouse, and Railroad) that I pm'ed with and they helped me make sure I had everything correct to get to the state. The title/VIN paperwork was one of the aspects that kept from ordering sooner. I just know how hard dealing with red tape can be which really sucks the fun out of it.

So I have stopped working on the last little things I am going to do for the Roadster until the title and tag are done ( Wheel well aluminum Mike Everson Radiator shroud, etc). I know this is silly compared to what a lot of you guys go through but I hate having the control taken out of my hands and then just waiting and hoping i did not mess up anything on the paperwork that would delay the process.

So how did you guys deal with the stress of the title process? Any yoga breathing exercises, practicing archery, basket weaving you would recommend?
Jon
Pics for your time:
P.S. I know I know..... I need to weed wack the fence line :)

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[egchewy79]

It's so interesting what each state's process looks like. I was able to get titled before I was even driving in gel coat. No inspection either. I was told this loophole has closed however in OH.

[GoDadGo]

Ditto On That Titling Process Being A Total P.I.T.A.

[ggunter]

I feel for you guys who have to bite their nails hoping the DMV or MVA blesses you with the privilage of registering your car in thier state. This process should not be as hard as some of these states make it. Or the DMV's are such a bureaucratic mess that the left hand doesn't have a clue what the right is doing. As messed up as maryland is in most things at the MVA it was surprisingly easy to get my car through the gauntlet. I registered mine in an hour and the person behind the counter didn't charge me the 6% sales tax and handed me the tags and registration for $119. I said are we done? She said all done. Now my head started spinning and i'm running this scenario in my head, should I take the tags and run..... or will an auditor find this 6 months later and MVA charge me penalties and late fees like the IRS? Now this was during Covid when you had to make an appt. to get in the door of MVA, and they probably wouldn't have caught it, but I told the personn she didn't charge me the sale tax. Then she got her panties in a wad and said I should have told her that. I said, I gave you a COO. You should know the car has never been titled and taxes are due. Well she huffed and puffed and called her supervisor over and $1900. of tax later I was out the door. The point of all this is to have your paperwork in order and as many notorized pieces of documents as possible.

[Railroad]

As I may have mentioned in our previous communications, do not sit idly by if the inspector does not show up within about 30 days. I waited 9 months, only to find out the inspector was jerking me around on the list. I should have notified his boss after the fact, but was so glad to have it completed, I moved on.

[GTBradley]

So how did you guys deal with the stress of the title process? Any yoga breathing exercises, practicing archery, basket weaving you would recommend?

Multiple, long relaxing drives to and from the DMV.

[Papa]

Thankfully the Mile-Hi Cobra Club made this process much easier for kit builders in Colorado. Several years ago, the club successfully lobbied for legislation that favors the builder. There are still hoops to get through, but nothing like some other states. We do have to go through an equipment inspection and serial number check for stolen parts, but our kit cars are emissions exempt! The only glitch I encountered was having to pay registration fees for the years from purchase to complete. That didn't make any sense, but the DMV didn't include my $16k invoice from BluePrint Engines in my tax valuation, so I came out alright there.

[cob427sc]

Massachusetts is right up there with all the running around and waiting. I waited a year through covid to get my 33 registered because the RMV stated it wasn't a priority vehicle. Only if it was my primary vehicle would they give me an appointment to come into their office. Finally made it the first part of April and then waited almost 2 hours as no one could figure out how to load the info into the computer. Finally, an IT tech made it work but my title and registration were issued as 1933, not a replica which it should have been. Registry cop who inspected the car was great. Came to my house on his way home, did a quick eyeball of everything and attached the VIN sticker.

[Blitzboy54]

I'm in a hoop jumping state but won't have to do it until spring. I've been told by other NY builders while time consuming not really all that bad. So fingers crossed.

[nucjd19]

As I may have mentioned in our previous communications, do not sit idly by if the inspector does not show up within about 30 days. I waited 9 months, only to find out the inspector was jerking me around on the list. I should have notified his boss after the fact, but was so glad to have it completed, I moved on.

Thanks for the Tip Railroad. I will keep on them .

[nucjd19]

Thank you everyone for the stories. makes me feel better knowing that I am not alone in the random abyss that is the DMV.

[GoDadGo]

I completed my car in August 2020 but didn't get my title and license plate until January 2021.
My pal Dave is experiencing an equally long delay titling his F5 33 Hot Rod.
Hopefully, Alabama has a better process than Louisiana.
With That Said, Good Luck & God's Speed!

[emac]

I really hate to tell my tale with registration, but here is how it went in SC about ten years ago....

11:45am Called the Sherriff and said I needed to have a VIN verified and a formed signed. A few minutes later the wife called and said the cops are at the house. I told her to tell them I am on my way.
12:15 Papers signed, ate a sandwich and decided to try my luck at the DMV. Paid taxes, fees, and got my title and tag.
1:30 Back to work

Times are approximate, your time may vary :D

[CaptB]

Just remember the gubmit isn't happy unless you're not happy.

[nucjd19]

Well, I a not sure who did the DMV rain dance for me on the forum but I got a call from the inspector today and he will be at my house tomorrow morning! Thank you fellas. Y'all really do answer questions and prayers around here :)

[GoDadGo]

Please keep us posted & good luck once again.

[nucjd19]

Please keep us posted & good luck once again.

Fingers crossed Steve :) Thanks!

[nucjd19]

Well that went way smoother than expected...... The inspector with the state was super nice and everything was very quick. Thank you everyone for letting me vent. You guys are the best :)
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[wareaglescott]

Congrats.
Im jealous they showed up at your place. I had to trailer my car down to Montgomery for inspection. Now you can enjoy some miles!

[nucjd19]

Congrats.
Im jealous they showed up at your place. I had to trailer my car down to Montgomery for inspection. Now you can enjoy some miles!
Yea. I was really surprised. He gave me a call yesterday and said he would be in my neck of the woods and if he could stop by in the morning. I was like.... Heck YES!!!! Like I said one of you guys did the DMV rain dance for me :) Thank you again wareaglescott. You have been super helpful and very kind :) I owe you.

[GoDadGo]

Congratulations!

[Nigel Allen]

Happy days.

[WIS89]

Jon-

Very happy your registration situation all worked out pleasantly. However, I had to chuckle just a little bit. In your original post about registration, you described how stressed you were over the situation. The way I see it is, if your screen name suggests what I think it does, you have been in a whole lot more stressful situations than this! HAHA

In all seriousness, I get it. I have enjoyed following your build, and the manner in which you have attacked the project; nicely done. Go enjoy the heck out of it!

What are your plans for paint? Color, stripes/no stripes, etc. If you have already posted about this, I must have missed it, and I apologize.

Congratulations again!

Regards,

Steve

[nucjd19]

Jon-

Very happy your registration situation all worked out pleasantly. However, I had to chuckle just a little bit. In your original post about registration, you described how stressed you were over the situation. The way I see it is, if your screen name suggests what I think it does, you have been in a whole lot more stressful situations than this! HAHA

In all seriousness, I get it. I have enjoyed following your build, and the manner in which you have attacked the project; nicely done. Go enjoy the heck out of it!

What are your plans for paint? Color, stripes/no stripes, etc. If you have already posted about this, I must have missed it, and I apologize.

Congratulations again!

Regards,

Steve

HA!! Thanks Steve :) I am in line for Jeff Kleiner for paint and body work. The game plan is Viking blue with no stripes. I love the monochromatic look of these cars. And, you are correct. I am in some stressful situations almost every day but this one is not in my wheel house and I am subjugated to the higher powers that be at the DMV. I am not used to not having direct control over something LOL! Anyway, thanks again. My build is just following along the path that so many other more talented builders created before me. I am grateful and humbled by all of the generosity and kindness on the forum.

[del-taher]

I am getting ready to register my Mk4 in Maryland and saw your post from 2021. Hopefully, you still respond to questions! Mine has also never been registered anywhere and I have not paid taxes (yet). Still need to get my VIN. What class did you register under? Is it a "manufactured" vehicle, historic? Did you try to get a front license plate waiver?

Thanks in advance!

David

[egchewy79]

Original poster is from Alabama. Each state has differing requirements/regulations. I’d try to contact someone in Maryland or your local cobra club to ask. Wipers and reverse lights are required by some states and not others, for example. In Ohio, there are some inspection stations that are known to be easier than others.

[brewha]

So the big question is, how much sleep did you get the night before he arrived? When I took my car to inspection, I think I got 40 minutes of sleep overthinking everything that could go wrong.

[nucjd19]

So the big question is, how much sleep did you get the night before he arrived? When I took my car to inspection, I think I got 40 minutes of sleep overthinking everything that could go wrong.

HA!!! I did not think about it honestly. I had done everything that my former Bama guys had done and passed so I knew I was on the right track. The inspection was very cursory compared to you guys up north and it was smooth. Total inspection was about 10 minutes.

[nucjd19]

I am getting ready to register my Mk4 in Maryland and saw your post from 2021. Hopefully, you still respond to questions! Mine has also never been registered anywhere and I have not paid taxes (yet). Still need to get my VIN. What class did you register under? Is it a "manufactured" vehicle, historic? Did you try to get a front license plate waiver?

Thanks in advance!

David

Like eg said it is SOOOOO different state to state. Alabama does not require a front tag and it was registered as assembled. Only way now since the vintage loop hole was closed years ago. Good luck!!!
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