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PA inspection/title regs.

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Koz, Jan 21, 2009.

  1. 2afbs
    Joined: Mar 1, 2007
    Posts: 352

    2afbs
    Member

    jim, if you google pa enhanced inspections it will lead you to a county by county listing of stations. i was just following up further on my post above and find out there is HB 2163 that was introduced in harrisburg. haven't had time to check further, but they want to make it easier. i want to get my t modified on the street come good weather.
     
  2. richie rebel
    Joined: Oct 8, 2007
    Posts: 1,184

    richie rebel
    Member

    i have a 38 ford cpe,no front bumper, no hood, antique plate,never been stoped,drive the car all over the place maryland,indy goodguys,columbus goodguys,norwalk,around 3000 miles a year,just drive the car man,**** the cops............richie........
     
  3. ken1939
    Joined: Jul 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,558

    ken1939

    Safe is what its all about. I know a guy who runs without inspection. And NO he dosent have the old Purple Tiquer plate either. Remember you *** is on the line for liability in case of, well the unthinkable.

    Fat, stupid and lazy is no way to go through life...
     
  4. HOT40ROD
    Joined: Jun 16, 2006
    Posts: 961

    HOT40ROD
    Member
    from Easton, Pa

    Here in this state. each enhanced inspection station has its own interpretation of the law. There are about 6 in may area and they all there own answer for each question. I suggest that you pick one and stay with that one. They do have the final say on your car. for my bikes it easy, there is only one station and I know what he wants.

    It been said about making sure you have all of your receipt and make sure there is tax included on the receipt. If not that can hold you up. If you have receipt that do not have tax on them make sure you keep them seperate and note it when you get to the notary. You will have to pay the tax at that point.

    If you buy a donor car for most of your parts make sure you have the ***le and bill of sale for that car also. I usually put the donor car in my name a head of time. That can save you some time. and you already paid the tax on it.

    They even want the reciept for every bolt, washer and nut you buy.
     
  5. Koz
    Joined: May 5, 2008
    Posts: 2,786

    Koz
    Member

    Excelent point Ken 1949. Every time we go around the block we in essence risk losing everything we worked a lifetime for when some legal eagle decides we were responsible for his clients inflated loss. If it's in a car we made ourselves the risks are compounded. You have no factory engineer responsible if you are found negligent. The auto makers are sued constantly over defect and cause regardless of their expert licensed design professionals. This in itself is the only reason I can think of to give up my A, when the risk gets too overwhelming. If you have ever had the occasion to be in that situation, a thankfully I have not, count on you well paid insurance company to throw you to the dogs. No inspection/legal ***ling is the stuff legal wet dreams are made of.

    Damn I'm getting cynical!
     
  6. roadster1923
    Joined: Jul 1, 2005
    Posts: 139

    roadster1923
    Member
    from Girard PA

    The dealership I manage is an enhanced PA inspection station. This past year we performed @400 enhanced inspections. About 50 were street rod inspections. It is my belief that Penndot's primary focus of the enhanced program was not to make it tougher for hot rodders in PA to obtain ***le and registration. The focus was on the late models and poor workmanship and less than legitiment paper work. I don't want to use up too much bandwidth, but feel free to PM me and I can answer your questions.
    Steve
     
  7. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,985

    5window
    Member

    The most important things you can do are:
    1. Do***ent everything-save every receipt to prove you paid tax on the big items-or that they didn't qualify if purchased on-line.
    2. Follow the directions in the forms exactly. Playing cute will not only get your form sent back, but get you flagged as a trouble maker for the next go-round.
    3. Make sure you make a copy of everything you send in.If it gets "lost" you are truly screwed the second time around.
    4. Send EVERYTHING to the DMV through your State Representative. Don't mess with AAA or ***le services. The DMV works faster and with less h***les on the S.R. delivered stuff-who after all, make up their budgets and approve all the payraises.
    5. Don't play it too cute. Of course you can shave a bit here and there, but you're only asking for red flags and trouble if you claim you only paid $2500 for the Duesy SJ with the blown Allison motor.

    Do***ent, play by the rules, pay the taxes-THEN find an enhanced inspection mechanic who will play fair and check for a safe ride with maybe a shade of liberal intepretation of the "rules".
     
  8. 90volts
    Joined: Dec 27, 2008
    Posts: 16

    90volts
    Member
    from suburbs



    that was tabled shortly after it was introduced. many unrelated amendments weighed it down and could not be agreed upon. i never understood adding unrelated **** to bills. they should do one thing and one thing only, vote on it and get on to the next one thing!
     
  9. noboD
    Joined: Jan 29, 2004
    Posts: 8,981

    noboD
    Member

    This was shot down quite a while ago, there was a thread on it. They are also talking about inspection for first time antique license too.
     
  10. hr31hr
    Joined: Nov 30, 2006
    Posts: 221

    hr31hr
    Member
    from PA

    Well, I took advantage of a break in the weather and a day off to get my car at least through the enhanced inspection. Probably gusty given it is Friday the 13th. Dropped it off at Vintage specialties in Gettysburg this morning and picked it up this afternoon.

    I had called them ahead of time to find out what they look for and common issues they have found. Based on what they told me it p***ed with only a coulpe of minor things that need to be addressed.

    I had all of my receipts and they also helped verify the math and alter the write up to hopefully make it flow thorough Penn Dot without issue.

    As soon as I get the insurance set up with Grundy I will hand carry the paperwork over to Harrisburg. I will let everyone know how it goes.
     
  11. 4tl8ford
    Joined: Sep 1, 2004
    Posts: 1,087

    4tl8ford
    Member
    from Erie, Pa

  12. 2afbs
    Joined: Mar 1, 2007
    Posts: 352

    2afbs
    Member

    ok Pa guys. i bought a 27t modified with a current Rhode Island registration (they don't have ***les). take the papers to the notary for a ***le and everything flies thru harrisburg and 2 1/2 weeks later i have a comm of Pa certificate of ***le for a vehicle. now when spring ever gets here and i want to plate it what do you suggest as a plan of action? go for an antique tag (i think the pics needed will shoot that down), street rod plate, just put a regular plate on it..get it inspected and drive. i know i've seen other fenderless roadsters running around with regular plates but till now never thought to ask the owners.
     
  13. forddriver49
    Joined: Nov 3, 2008
    Posts: 13

    forddriver49
    Member

    I am running a 31 model A no fenders no hood no bumpers. I have antique plates on it at that! I have to stress give your information to your local representative they will take good care of you. I have done two vehicles this way and getting ready to do my third. I applied for antique plates for my 46 dodge dumptruck and was turned down because the paint was faded! Yeah, yet they want them to be original equipment! It was the original paint. I took the info to my local representative and had my plates in two weeks. Never been stopped never had problems. Just my experiences. Does anyone no of any progress on getting Year-Of- Manufacture license plates legalized?
     
  14. noboD
    Joined: Jan 29, 2004
    Posts: 8,981

    noboD
    Member

    From what I hear it will probably never happen. I wish it would. The recent change in antique plates was so they show up on Big Brothers cameras, for your safety.
     
  15. puprod
    Joined: Feb 6, 2009
    Posts: 4

    puprod
    Member
    from pa

    Where is this shop located? I'm building a 48 chevy and I am looking for a shop that's going to be good to work with

     
  16. Al Consoli
    Joined: Mar 26, 2008
    Posts: 1,871

    Al Consoli
    Member

    I may be wrong, but from what I understand, the "New Law" requires you to get a new modified vehicle or street rod ***le which requires all the red tape involved in doing so. I think you are S.O.L. to get regular plates because it won't p*** inspection, and you will have to take it to an Enhanced Inspection Station.
     
  17. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,985

    5window
    Member

    I'm not sure either, but I don't think you'd ever get Antique plates and the restrictions on those are pretty severe as to when and how you can drive your car. I also don't think you'd ever get regular plates,either, too many mods. Ultimately, I think you'll need SR plates, but maybe if it was already licensed (had plates) in Rhode Island you won't need to get an enhanced inspection since that is for new vehicles. Search for a very enlightened inspection station. And let us know,
     
  18. Mike51Merc
    Joined: Dec 5, 2008
    Posts: 3,855

    Mike51Merc
    Member

    Alot boils down to the person processing your application. Antique plates require the car to be substantially stock. Collectible plates require the car to be substantially modified. Some bureaucrat will be making the judgment call. I know of guys that were rejected for Antique tags because of lake pipes or different hubcaps yet I've seen fully customized cars with Antique tags. I've even heard stories of guys photoshopping the pictures to make the car look conforming.

    Antiques are exempt from annual inspections.
    Collectibles and Cl***ics are exempt from emissions only.
    There are use limits but I've seen no set annual mileage limits for these plates. It mentions show, etc., and occasional use. Occasional use is defined as no more than once per week, but it seems to have no limits on shows.
     
  19. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,985

    5window
    Member

    I don't know if it's always the case,but I had grief changing the registration from "regular" to "street rod". It had to be ***led as a regular car when I bought it (at Carlisle) because that's all the ***le service could do there and I needed to drive it home (scariest trip I ever made! 60 miles with all sorts of bits flying). But, with a chopped windshield and other mods,it had to be re-done as a street rod. Ended up the state vacated the first ***le and issued a new one.

    I would strongly advise you to pick which category you really want and go there first, regardless of the other h***les involved. Don't give PennDOT a second shot. :)
     
  20. hr31hr
    Joined: Nov 30, 2006
    Posts: 221

    hr31hr
    Member
    from PA

    True, know the regs before you build or buy if possible. I had built one before back the "enhanced" process. Paper work was esentially the same but know what the state was looking for helped me to walk in and out with a plate and ***le the same day back then. Hopefully it will again.
     
  21. hr31hr
    Joined: Nov 30, 2006
    Posts: 221

    hr31hr
    Member
    from PA

    Dropped all of the paperwork off in Harrisburg on 2/20. Checked on 3/5 and was told it went to processing on 2/25 and it would be 4-6 weeks. The wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly.
     
  22. Raven53
    Joined: Jan 12, 2009
    Posts: 442

    Raven53
    Member
    from Irwin Pa

    I agree it's all in interpretation I have had shops no sweat put a sticker on others want to become philly lawyers.... I think what would be a big help with guys in Pa is a list of shops that are rod friendly. I still have my inspection lic for pa. Believe me its all grey area, I would have to fail you for a cracked side gl*** but if you backed it out smashed it out cleaned up the mess pulled it back in I could sticker it. Pa law only requires a windshield .....and no crack or broken other gl***. Before I retired from the business we were just putting antique plates on every thing ....pictures of a stock car the same yr as what you were running and submit them. The state cops have no clue on enforcement, and face it most dont even know the difference between a coupe or a 2 door sdn.
     
  23. Al Consoli
    Joined: Mar 26, 2008
    Posts: 1,871

    Al Consoli
    Member

    It's not the state cops that should concern us. We have some "ambitious" (I'm being kind) local police who have their own interpretation of the code.
     
  24. scarylarry
    Joined: Apr 24, 2001
    Posts: 2,547

    scarylarry
    Member

    Just remember that if you are running an antique tag and you are not running a stocker and you have an accident, your insurance may not cover you. I know it will never happen to you, but...just think about it and READ whats in your policy. My problem with the street rod plate is that you get a R/reconstructed ***le which is O.K. if you have a pieced together project. A clean car like the 34 I just got with nice original body and clear ***le would bother me to give up that ***le.
     
  25. 5window
    Joined: Jan 29, 2005
    Posts: 9,985

    5window
    Member

    Not quite true. I've got a clear Model A ***le with street rod plates. Just a new VIN tag. No "R".
     
  26. scarylarry
    Joined: Apr 24, 2001
    Posts: 2,547

    scarylarry
    Member


    Hmmmm, may make a difference deciding if I keep the fenders on or off. I want ONE legal car!
     
  27. 6-71
    Joined: Sep 15, 2005
    Posts: 542

    6-71
    Member

    I got my street rod plate in1983,and The ***le is an R ***le and a reissued vin number.Maybe they have changed the law over the last 26 years?
     
  28. hr31hr
    Joined: Nov 30, 2006
    Posts: 221

    hr31hr
    Member
    from PA

    Update: Partially my fault in that I did not include a check for the fees but after receiving all of the paerwork back on 3/26, and returning with the check on 3/27, I received my plate and registration yesterday. The note with returned paperwork said it would receive prompt attention upon it's return. I guess given it tok five days to get from the 1st flor to the second two weeks probably is prompt.

    Now I get to fork out more money for another inspection to complete the process.
     
  29. Koz
    Joined: May 5, 2008
    Posts: 2,786

    Koz
    Member

    The ***le for my new roadster should be going in in about three weeks. It's interesting to see about how long they're taking now. I think I've got most of ther lingo down now and hopefully it will come back with no hitches.
     
  30. hr31hr
    Joined: Nov 30, 2006
    Posts: 221

    hr31hr
    Member
    from PA

    Well my schedule and the weather finally lined up and I stopped by the garage today to finish the process. For those of us in PA and other states with similar regulations below are what I have learned after going through the process three times. Once prior to the "Enhanced" process where I built a car from the ground up starting without a ***le, Once for a home bilt trailer and this time where I had a PA ***le but bough the car from out of state.

    1. Keep all of your receipts, whether you use all of them or not
    2. Call ahead to where you are going to have the car inspected. You can ask what the hot spots are and start the relationship.
    3. Read the application ahaead of time and undstand the requirements.
    4. If you do not have a ***le for the car get it before you build.
    5. Again keep receipts and dont be cheap. All the state really wants is taxe revenue. Give them some and you will get less scrutiny.

    Good Luck!
     

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