After successfully completing the construction of your custom-built car, the sense of pride in your achievement is well-deserved. However, it is essential to consider the next steps in the process. Following the investment of time, energy, and financial resources into your unique vehicle, it is crucial to protect your investment by ensuring that it is properly titled and registered.
Titling a homemade vehicle or “kit car” is indeed feasible, though it may require some effort and attention to detail. With the proper procedures, individuals can obtain a new Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for their kit car or homemade vehicle. This process ensures that the vehicle meets legal requirements and can be registered for road use.
If you’d rather avoid the hassle and save time, let us handle the work for you. We can assist with obtaining new titles and registrations for cars, motorcycles, and almost any vehicle with wheels, including some kit cars.
How Do You Register and Title a Home-Built Vehicle?
The registration of homemade vehicles is overseen by your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or state office, which typically requires completion of application forms for title and registration, a special vehicle safety inspection, and an emissions testing certificate if applicable.
Custom-built vehicles must be inspected by a state authority rather than just local facilities, and they may have different emissions testing requirements than standard vehicles. It is essential to consult your city’s and state’s specific regulations to ensure compliance.
Insurance and Transport During Registration
If you don’t have insurance yet, you can typically transport your kit car to the inspection facility using a trailer. However, be aware that driving on public roads requires active insurance, and obtaining insurance usually requires you to have an active VIN. Plan your steps accordingly.
Specific Documents Needed to Register a Kit Car
Some states may require a brake and light adjustment certificate, extended emissions testing, and additional paperwork beyond the typical requirements. When registering a kit car or homemade vehicle, the DMV often requests extra information, which may include:
- Detailed photographs and receipts for the car’s components
- A Statement of Construction or an equivalent parts list
- A valid VIN number or a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO)
Certificate of Origin or Confirmed VIN Number
If you’re titling a manufactured kit car from a company like Superformance or Factory Five Racing, the vendor will provide a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) that the DMV will need during registration.
If you’re titling a homebuilt vehicle or one where the frame and body do not have a VIN number, the state will issue a state-assigned VIN after the car passes inspection. There are also services you can look into that will get you a new VIN using the state’s legal process.
Statement of Construction
A Statement of Construction provides detailed information on the parts and methods used in the car’s construction. Though your state may not call it by that name, when registering a homebuilt car you will be asked to prove that you used roadworthy and safe parts to ensure the safety of yourself and others. This could also come in the form of receipts and manufacturer descriptions of critical components.
Photographs and receipts for components
In addition to a state-sanctioned safety inspection, the DMV will usually require receipts and photographs from all major components used in the kit car’s construction. You want to have bills of sale, junkyard receipts, invoices and manufacturers’ certificates on any major parts you used in building the vehicle to prove roadworthiness.
Do Homemade Trailers Need to be Registered?
Many states will require you to title your trailer if it weighs over a certain amount. For example, all trailers over 4,000 pounds in Texas must have a title and registration, while New York requires that any homemade trailer must have a title regardless of weight. Other states require no title for any trailers at all, even manufactured ones.
Typically, this is the process to register a homemade trailer:
- Weigh the trailer
- Have a safety inspection performed
- Write up a detailed description of how the trailer was made
- Take photos of the construction and provide parts receipts
- Insure the trailer if needed
- Submit paperwork to the DMV
- Pay all associated titling fees
Some states may require the parts description to be notarized. Some states may also allow you to estimate the weight of your homemade trailer based on its components. Check your state’s DMV website for the facts specific to your state.
What is the Easiest Way to Get a Title for a Homemade Vehicle?
Once you are ready to title a homemade vehicle, we can help. As enthusiasts ourselves, the title specialists at Dirt Legal work with people every day who want to make their dreams a street-legal reality.
From two-stroke dirt bikes to homemade go-karts, we can get a new title and registration for just about anything with wheels.
Due to the custom nature of homebuilt cars, contact us to see if our services are a match for your needs.
