Long story short - Mom and dad lived in NH, where owner transfer of antique cars is a signature on the registration and bill of sale. Dad died in Feb, car was registered in both names, no ***le due to age. Mom gave me the car as a gift, so no inheritance issues. Went to California DMV this morning with registration, bill of sale stating gift and death certificate. According to Cal DMV, they need more paperwork, including having the car's registration changed to my mom only, even tho I have a death certificate for my dad. And a letter from the NH DMV on their letterhead stating that they don't require ***les. And the list goes on and on. Then I'm told it will be a 3 to 6 month wait for me to apply for a ***le for the 39, in order for me to even drive it. (Anyone have a 39 ***le for sale? ) AND today, DMV changed YOM license plating req's, with new forms, new information, etc. So beware and be prepared if you try for YOM plates, it's more difficult now according to the supervisor I spoke to. Why does it have to be so difficult? I wish California could take a few lessons from NH and make it easier for us to deal with the DMV. I might even consider smiling when I walk into the DMV if that was to happen. Taylor
i just got caught in that YOM plate trap to. but alteast you can stop a cop and have them verify the age of the car. if all else fail go to AAA, they are much more helpful.
You're the very first person I've ever heard complain about the Cali DMV! I believe that Obama care is going to use their efficiency model! I feel your pain brother! I'd say you're going to have to exercise some "combat patience" and jump through the Cali hoops, try to remain civil, maybe try to get the same person at your DMV each time you go in, and by all means don't be afraid to kiss some ***!
It has to be difficult because so many folks have tried to pull a fast one on the DMV, so we all have to suffer. Just go to AAA as I do now...Boyd Coddington was notorious for it and was arrested more than once for DMV fraud.
AAA will not deal with a vehicle that has no ***le. They were my first stop on this adventure. They only deal with the "vanilla" flavored registrations.
It helps to go to a small town DMV even if you have to drive a few miles. It's amazing the difference in at***udes. Try to hit a small town with a fairly large Hispanic populace. The folks in those DMV's seem to be more familiar with difficult transfers and the like. Keep in mind that California is scrambling for money now and it's gonna get worse and probably never better....
You're usually better off with a reciept saying you paid a token sum for a car than saying it was a gift. Why it's more complicated than that, who knows, personally I'd try a different DMV office because how much trouble you get can be measured in a ratio inversely proportional with a combination of the at***ude and the IQ of the clerk you get - and that's probably the single constant in vehicle registration in all 50 states. That you need to get New Hampshire to confirm they don't use ***les is utter ********, CA should be able to look that up themselves.
two words: ***le service NEVER meet the DMV on their turf. even when you're right you're wrong. Try cars***le.com they might be able to help.
If you die and go to hell, it will be a California DMV office. In the 1980's and early 90's when I lived in Calif, the DMV had a program called "The 72 Hour Turnaround" I ***led several cars this way, that only had a bill of sale. This included a couple out of state cars which weren't really part of the DMV program but I figured what the heck, maybe they'll slip through and the vehicles legally belonged to me. If the California car hadn't been registered in the last 7 years, you mailed a copy of your bill of sale, along with any other info to Sacramento. After the VIN was checked, they mailed you a ***le In 3 days. You didn't go to the DMV for this, it was all done through the mail. There was no physical inspection of the car. Seems like it cost an additional $50 or $100. You only got the new ***le and had to go to a regular DMV to get a new registration. I don't know if the DMV still has the program but it couldn't hurt to ask. on a funny side note: I always used small town DMV's when I lived there. My favorite was Brawley. I had been there several times and had a favorite girl. I went in with the unsigned ***le to my dead father-in-law's truck he willed to me, along with his death certificate. The girl says "dead is a bad word around here" and then proceeds to tell me very quietly "are you sure he's dead, because I thought I just saw him walk by outside" I walked outside and "discovered" the signature. Came back in, gave the signed ***le to the girl and left with my new ***le. ahhhh.... the good ol' days.......
Here's the "new" form for anyone that needs it. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg352.pdf I don't see how it can be more difficult,UNLESS you're trying to register Fake/Reproduction plates. It's easy if you go in with all the needed forms and info. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/vr.htm All the needed forms are online and easy to find. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm There's even a "Checklist" of what's needed. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/checklists/outofstate.htm
I still think we've got you all beat in M***. !! I dont have enough skin on my fingers to type all the specifics...it ****s!! rumors are spreading about using N.H. as a ***le safehaven too!! Only a matter of time before all you will be able to drive is a george jetson mobile!!
I just got my 28 coupe registered. It started out as a ditch filler body, no ***le,no vin,no record. I got a vin number plate from a guy out of state and filled out the proper DMV paper work had a Sheriff inspect and fill out the appropriate paper work and got a bond from my insurance company. I went to the DMV with my check book and wrote them a check. Bottom line CA is broke and the DMV is not going to turn money away, you just have to jump through "their" hoops. Like other people have said go to a small town DMV, you will have better luck. Oh yeah, muster up a smile, hostility breeds hostility.
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