DMV Administrative H*LL in Texas

[BigShooter]

Any Texans with state contacts or DMV expertise here? in 2024 I got my FFR Daytona titled and licensed. It was a long process and the only title category they would issue was 'assembled vehicle'. I was told to get a waiver (for emissions) and that I needed that ONCE. Now at renewal time they won't renew without a new waiver, stating that I need it every year. To get a waiver, you need to fail an inspection, then spend money attempting to 'repair' the vehicle, then fail a regular inspection, and then set up a time at the waiver inspection facility.
I'm in Williamson county - a county still doing the smog inspections.

[TXeverydayDad]

Sorry to hear you’re going through this. Do you remember which form you used to register it? VTR-852 (custom vehicle) or VTR-64 (assembled vehicle)? If VTR-64, would it be possible to re-register it with form VTR-852? As a custom vehicle, a replica of a 65 coupe, you’d only need to meet the standards for that year, incl emissions (ie none).

[Skuzzy]

You might want to try the https://www.texascobraclub.org/ site as well.

It does not appear you can switch to VTR-852 once registered under VTR-64, or vice-versa.

They have already told me I will not be able to register in Texas as I cannot prove I did not steal the motor. I built it myself and have all the parts and machine shop receipts, but that is not good enough. I am going to have to go the Montana route, then try to transfer to Texas.

Do you have another DMV you can try? Every DMV in Texas seems to have their own set of rules which do not adhere to the actual Texas laws as it pertains to vehicle registration. The Texas laws/requirements are pretty straightforward. It's the DMV's that make it a nightmare. Good luck.

[sread]

The issue is not being titled as ASVE (assembled vehicle). The problem is you should have requested or just used the Form 852 to apply for Custom vehicle or Street rod license plates. That is the form that makes it emissions exempt. My 33 hot rod is titled as an ASVE but was inspected and registered under form 852 and wears Street Rod license plates. It states right on the registration renewal form "no inspection required".
And as skuzzy mentioned there is zero consistency when dealing with any given employee at the local DMV office. I ended up having to go straight to the office manager at the Harris County office after numerous trips when each time I returned I was given a new story and another bull**** hoop to jump thru.
I promise you I knew the Texas Assembled Vehicle Manual better than any one of those morons there.
There is bound to be some way to go back and get it changed but you better have the patience of a saint and be a better man than me...lol. You may have to go to Austin to the DMV headquarters to get it straightened out. Good luck...I'll pray for you.

[BigShooter]

Thank you,
It looks like I did a VTR-852 and a VTR-64 and my approval letter came back with boxes checked that it does NOT qualify for classic/antique or custom vehicle/street rod plates. There was ONE guy at the DMV station in Austin and he was VERY dogmatic about how he was going to do it. If I'm going to be hassled about this on an annual basis, I may try to fight that and go for a re-registration. Anyone know how to do that??


Sorry to hear you’re going through this. Do you remember which form you used to register it? VTR-852 (custom vehicle) or VTR-64 (assembled vehicle)? If VTR-64, would it be possible to re-register it with form VTR-852? As a custom vehicle, a replica of a 65 coupe, you’d only need to meet the standards for that year, incl emissions (ie none).

[BigShooter]

The clerk in Austin (the only office that would do this in the metro) used both 852 and 64 form, but the approval came back stating it was NOT eligible for custom or street rod plates... no idea why. I may get a waiver this year, then I'll spend the rest of eternity hounding these people for a change..... not feeling like much of a saint right now!! That you - I'll take prayers on this one for sure :)
I had a DMV person submit an application for waiver last week and hopefully they take it without an inspection. Normally, they make you fail an inspection, spend money trying to 'fix' the car, then fail another one, before you can get the waiver. I explained to her that there is no way to 'fix' it. sigh....


The issue is not being titled as ASVE (assembled vehicle). The problem is you should have requested or just used the Form 852 to apply for Custom vehicle or Street rod license plates. That is the form that makes it emissions exempt. My 33 hot rod is titled as an ASVE but was inspected and registered under form 852 and wears Street Rod license plates. It states right on the registration renewal form "no inspection required".
And as skuzzy mentioned there is zero consistency when dealing with any given employee at the local DMV office. I ended up having to go straight to the office manager at the Harris County office after numerous trips when each time I returned I was given a new story and another bull**** hoop to jump thru.
I promise you I knew the Texas Assembled Vehicle Manual better than any one of those morons there.
There is bound to be some way to go back and get it changed but you better have the patience of a saint and be a better man than me...lol. You may have to go to Austin to the DMV headquarters to get it straightened out. Good luck...I'll pray for you.

[BigShooter]

Thank you. I've posted on the cobra forum - maybe someone there has some insight. Sorry about your hassles on your car as well. Maybe we need to sell our cars to friends out of state, then buy them back and start fresh??? Or buy property in a non-inspection county and register it there.... Yikes. These people can drive you crazy!!

[RoadRacer]

I have the same problem..emissions. I too went through all the proper paperwork (street rod) and got back a 2021 asve because of my crate motor (no serial number). Bonded title for $30k and not allowed on street rod plates.

I was also told it wouldn’t matter at all. Same thing etc etc.

4 years later I’m still relying on finding the right person to renew without emissions. I sweet talked someone last year. But no one (yet) will or can fix the original problem. I just hope Travis does away with emissions ����*♂️

[sread]

This is the exact phrase at the bottom of paragraph 1, page 2 of form VTR 852 :

"Once the vehicle is approved for Custom Vehicle or Street Rod license plates, the vehicle is exempt from the Texas vehicle safety inspection (and emissions inspection , if applicable). Carry a copy of this completed application/inspection form in your vehicle"

The problem is getting the stupid mf's to follow their own written policies.

[sread]

A quick update - today I decided it was as good a day as any to roll the dice and play DMV roulette and attempt to get my registration renewed. I went to the Fort Bend county tax assessor's office with my renewal notice in hand as well as a folder containing a copy of the form VTR 852 with the above phrase hi lighted along with a complete printed copy of the Texas Assembled Vehicle Manual as well as all the other documents needed when the car was originally titled/registered. When my number was called I approached the window and vowed that no matter what happened I would remain calm, polite, but assertive and plead my case. I handed the clerk the renewal notice and said nothing other than "hello". She looked at it, asked me to verify my name and address and typed something into her terminal. A few seconds later she said that will be $68 even. Didn't ask for insurance verification, proof of passed emissions test, or anything. I gave her the cash, she typed up a receipt along with the new registration sheet with windshield sticker, handed it to me and said have a good day.
And get this, the $68 fee that she collected is $10.25 less than what is shown on the renewal notice. I started to question it and said nope, not going to say a thing. I took my folder with new registration and sticker and got the hell out of there.
These results are not typical and your mileage may vary.

[Skuzzy]

Maybe when she saw your "novel" of paperwork you had with you, she decided to keep quiet and hope you would not go into a 2 hour diatribe all about your car. Hey, whatever works. Congratulations on beating the random monkey-wrench system!!

[TXeverydayDad]

That’s great news! Glad to hear that it worked out!

[ggunter]

Registration around the country seems to be a universal theme. It depends on who's behind the window that day, and if they feel like following the written laws. As screwed up as Maryland is on EVERYTHING, my registration went too well in the fact that when the person behind the counter saw it said 1965 Replica on the COO she only charged me the minimum tax which was $60, because she though the car was that old. She handed me the tags, and I said are we done she said yep. I should have grabbed them and ran out the door, but the dumb voice inside my head said, no...no... not so fast slicky boy. Some auditor six months down the road will catch this and then fine me with penalties and interest. So... I told her she did not charge me enough tax. (can you ever find yourself saying that?), when I told her she didn't charge me on the whole car she got angry because she had to do it all over again. I gave her the COO and told her she should have known this car has never been registered. That's when I thought the whole process was going to go downhill. She had to call her supervisor over and they looked through all the paperwork again. In the end I had to pay $1961.00 in tax but at least they wouldn't come back on me later. Start to finish it was 35 minutes. I feel bad for those of you who have to go through the dog and pony show at the DMV circus. I understand why California is like that, but Texas? The land of common sense, guns and hotrods. Shouldn't be that way.