I've been dealing with CA DMV for 40 years........I'm done! My current issue: Recently purchased '54 Ford Customline. I bought the car from David. David bought the car from Robert in 2013. It was last registered in 2002 and from 2002 thru 2013 the car has been sitting in a field. Apparently, it's fallen out of the system. In 2013 David began paperwork. He paid $38 in fees (probably title transfer and tax) and applied for a new title. DMV handed him form #31 for a VIN verification and that's where we sit now. A phone call determined I owe fees and penalties from 2013 forward totaling $560. I've read Blowby's post on the waiver of fees and penalties and downloaded all pertinent info. My questions: What exactly do vehicle reg services do? Are they able to get penalties waived? What's their general pricing? Can anyone recommend one in Northern CA? I've seen recommendations in Southern CA. Can the SoCal companies do it all over the phone or do I have to deal with someone local? Can I even move forward without a verified VIN? As far as VIN verification, CHP has a 1 month waiting list, DMV has a 4 hour waiting line and AAA only does VIN verifies in Southern California! A private VIN service will come out to do it but that cost a C-note! Maybe I'll just move to Nevada!
There must be a DMV employee around here we can bribe. In the mean time, I was just reading up on bonded titles. I know nothing about them, sounds like you can get one for a vehicle not registered in your name? http://blog.suretysolutionsllc.com/...tle-register-a-car-without-proof-of-ownership
The web site no worky and I called today, there is just a message box for that number. I didn't leave a message thinking maybe she's in jail.
Second or third hand knowledge, they can get the fees waived and I do believe some of them are licensed (or whatever certification you need) VIN verifiers. So It could be a one stop shop, I have heard the costs of $75-$150 thrown around. I would make an appointment with a super slow dmv (if you can find one), get the statement of facts sheet (and any other paperwork you would need) and trailer the car down. Might take the whole day or 1/2 of it but stick to your guns. I have a co-worker that goes to the dmv in Bythe (I think) and he says there's never more then 2 people in line when he goes. But he only goes when he's on the way to Parker Az. for boating.
check with other dmv offices and go online and make an appointment. Local (corte madera) office is always backed up badly, went to Novato and got an 8 am appointment, walked in and took care of business. Likewise try other CHP offices for VIN, I got into Corte Madera pretty quickly.
ANY police officer,highway patrolman,or someone who works at the scales(chp) can perform this........ Know any cops? If you have the form filled out, they need to look and sign. Takes of 5 mins...... Longer to get to your place than see/sign....... I'de start asking around.
Donna has worked miracles for a lot of us. She is not cheap. Never, ever go to the DMV! It can be years of expensive aggravation, waiting in long lines and dealing with very unsympathetic state employees. Don't even ask them a question- they will start a dossier on you that may be with you for life.
1oldtimer --> For slow CA DMV's, you ought to checkout the one in San Clemente. I went with a friend there to renew his license and the place was EMPTY!
That's been the secret spot for a couple of decades. They were closed for a year and just re opened, I've been there once since they opened and it was maybe an hour. They were the ones who wanted me to restore my YOM plates before they would register them, the Laguna Hills office never cares about condition. But they're always packed.
This was just talked about here, there is a code section about being able to have the fees reduced because you didn't know about them at the time, problem you have to plead your case at DMV.. do a search as I did. I would give the link but I just printed them out and stuff them into my '69 Chevy truck that has the same problem.
Do you do house calls? A lot of those title services got put on hold, some states would accept their paperwork and others would not. I can't suggest a good solution but I have heard of people titling in a state that was easy then transferring title to another state that was more difficult before. I am sure it is not considered ethical in the least. But that's the way the ball bounces when the playing field gets tilted too much.
Porknbeaner....I think the title services the op refers to are private dmv registration services....not out of state title mills. I deal with a lady that handles alot of small used car lot transfers...she makes an appointment with the dmv and does numerous transfers at the same appointment. You can see that in that scenario...when the dmv employee is dealing with the same person they might see once a week etc...that it becomes a calmer, more routine experience. In other words...I don't think the dmv employees f*** with these private dmv service people like they do with the general public. I think they feel they are dealing with pros and don't question as much. I gladly pay her low fee....not only do I avoid dmv...their lines and snarky workers... it is so much more convenient and cheaper to boot!
True That^^^^^^^^ We ( the town) had someone who had left the DMV, and started doing this. Things were going well from what I heard,and was going to use this route,but I was told boundries were a lil over stepped,and license was revoked...= Big Bro does keep an eye...... I would still believe that it's a valuable source for a lot of us, but, gotta play by the rules with the power granted.... I will be looking for something like this when the time come's up. I say do it. I put DMV up there with the dentist...........WTF!, but have to endure the pain of it all,and the bullshit!
I just used Donna to verify the Vin on a Model A with a Texas title. She made it super easy. Give her a call!
The $$$ you spend on the vehicle registration service will probably be made back on the fees they save you. "Donna" (or whomever you use) may be able to refer you to a certified VIN inspector if she doesn't also handle that spectrum. Lets also consider your blood pressure, aggravation dealing with knucklehead DMV employees and your time (what's your day worth?). Vehicle registration businesses exist because folks will gladly pay to not deal with all the crap in the previous sentence.
Good news! Just got off the phone with Donna Leek. $275 for all paperwork. She says all prior registration fees and penalties will be waived. The only thing I will have to pay is current year registration fees. A deal, considering fees and penalties now amount to $560, plus I don't have to waist my time with DMV (numerous trips @ 3 hrs each trip)! In addition, she will verify the VIN (included in the $275) and, she doesn't have to physically see the car. I simply email her a photo of the VIN plate and send her all my paperwork! This is a no-brainer for me! Tomorrow I go to pick up the car and once I get it home we'll start the process. Thanks for the link, you guys!
I just use AAA - No cost to handle it other than the yearly membership, which is only about $68.00 for the first year and you get the towing service if you ever need it. Well worth it to me.
I registered a Harley in Nevada that was from Colorado and they required a VIN verification and the fees were higher than California (couldn't register it in California as it had less than 750 miles on it)
Nevada is no piece of cake anymore. Too many CA transplants in the legislature and DMV. They are pretty nasty about unregistered cars on your property too.
Thanks for recommending Donna! I had no paperwork, $650 in back fees on the DMV computer and no luck trying to find the previous registered owner. Donna did it all, transfer, new title, reg, tags, all done by mail, I didn't set foot in the DMV and for much less than just the back fees that were due. Couldn't be more satisfied.
AAA is good. But all they do is straight registration or a straight transfer, any other services you still have to go to DMV. Couldn't even use them to turn in a release of liability after selling a vehicle.
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