Once a project car is finished to the point where it can be driven on the public roadways, as with any vehicle operating on the street, registering the vehicle is a legal requisite. If the project car has been titled and registered during the building process, there is little to worry about. However, if the car was not registered, or registered as “non-operational,” the process can be a tad more involved.

We reached out to some experts for guidance in registering an antique or custom vehicle with the least amount of pain involved. We all know that a trip to the local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can be as exciting as a trip to the dentist to have your wisdom teeth removed. Typical of a government agency, only the people running for public office would speak to us in an official capacity, and being an off election year … no one at the DMV wanted to be quoted for our article.

Instead, we reached out to the godfather of the Blacktop Mafia, Tony Colombini, for some hints on navigating through the DMV to register your antique or custom vehicle. Tony was quick to point out that he was not an “expert” in registering vehicles, but he could share some stories, tips, and tricks that he had “heard” over the years. However, if you love old car smell, Tony happens to be an expert in that area.

Tony “T-Bone” Colombini is a self-described expert in old car smell. He’s also registered a few antique cars in the past.

{Editor’s note to state regulators and code enforcement officials: Mr. Colombini is only repeating stories told by other individuals and not reporting on his past exploits. His tales are in no way, shape, or form, an admission of guilt or wrong-doing. He can neither confirm or deny any involvement}.

Know The Rules!

Car registration, especially classic car regulations, vary greatly from state to state. “In some states it is easier to get things done than other states,” said Colombini. “In California, it can be tougher to register any vehicle, new or vintage, compared to New Mexico.” The first step for anyone should be a visit to the DMV or Secretary of States’ website of the state where you plan on registering your vehicle.

“Learn if your vehicle is a classic, antique or custom-built vehicle,” Colombini added. “Each designation has its own regulations.” For example, in California, under the year of manufacture (YOM) program, a vehicle must have been manufactured at least 39 years ago to be considered an antique vehicle.

California also defines a custom-built vehicle as any motor vehicle that has been assembled or completely reconstructed using new or used parts. Custom vehicles are registered with the make as “custom-built.”

Custom-built cars can be difficult to get registered through the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Be prepared to take a couple of extra steps to ensure that your process is smooth. A trip to the Highway Patrol for verification will aid in the process.

“Learn the state’s usage limits for the specially designated registrations,” warned Colombini. “Many states limit the mileage and when you can drive cars that are designated as classic cars.” Case in point: If you register your car as an antique car in Virginia, the use is limited to participation in car club activities, parades, and driving to and from these events, testing or driving to obtain maintenance or repairs, and occasional pleasure driving with 250 miles of the owner’s residence. Connecticut has no driving restrictions on vehicles registered as antique cars.

Get The Documents You Need

Once you have determined what the rules are for each type of registration are in your state, and what restrictions you can live with, the necessary paperwork will need to be filled out.

In California, and many other states, an appointment to the DMV will help expedite the registration process. Registering the vehicle as an antique or custom-built vehicle requires a few documents that will need to be brought with you to the appointment. Unlike bringing a new child into this world, registering a new custom-built vehicle in California requires more than just a birth certificate.

The lines at DMV can be long and the wait unbearable for even the most stalwart. Making an appointment and bringing the proper documents will make the process a little more pleasant. Photo from yelp – department of motor vehicles, Las Vegas.

A custom-built or antique vehicle that is not currently registered in any U.S. State will need proof of vehicle verification completed by the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the agency that is tasked with enforcing the vehicle codes in the state. “I have heard that some CHP stations know how to process this verification and others that have no clue,” said Colombini. “It all depends on which CHP station you go to, and who is on duty at that time.” Oddly enough, custom-built trailers that are under 6,000 pounds can be verified directly by the DMV.

Possession Is Nine-Tenths Of The Law

There is also the question of ownership. To register any vehicle in any state, a person must show ownership of the vehicle. Documents like a manufacturer’s certificate of origin, invoices or bills of sale for the major vehicle parts, or prior registration titles can be used as proof of ownership.

For custom-built vehicles, a completed Statement of Construction will need to be filled out and completed prior to visiting the DMV for registration. The form can be downloaded from the state’s DMV website. An Application for Registration form will also need to be downloaded and completed when you show up at the DMV for your appointment.

If the vehicle is a commercial vehicle that is under 10,000 pounds, a weight certificate will need to accompany the other forms when you arrive for your DMV registration appointment.

Thankfully, most of the cars registered as antique or custom-built are older than the 1975 model year and do not require an emissions inspection. For custom-built vehicles 1975 and newer, an emissions inspection conducted by the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) is required for registration in California.

Finally, the last couple of documents that most owners registering a vehicle as an antique or custom-built vehicle will need is an official certificate for brake and light adjustment or a Statement of Facts from a mechanic confirming the effective performance of said brakes and lights.

There are different types of registrations for vehicles. Understanding the limitations for each type of registration will prevent a car owner from running afoul with the law. It’s rare that you see an antique with wheelie bars and regular personalized license plates.

At The Registration Appointment

Inevitably, there will always be one more document, or one more issue, to take care of before the DMV will issue a registration. In some cases, it may feel like the bureaucracy of the registration process is designed to provide roadblocks so that vehicles can not be registered.

In the event that registering a custom-built vehicle seems almost impossible, our Blacktop Mafia man-on-the-street “heard” another story. “In some states, it is easier to register your car. Once the vehicle is in the system, it is easy to get the registration changed to a different state,” advised Colombini. “I’ve ‘heard’ stories of people that have given or sold their vehicles to family members in other states, who register the vehicle, then have to sell the vehicle back to the original family member for different reasons. The ‘new’ owner then registered the vehicle in their home state.”

We’ve ‘heard’ that some builders in the past have given or sold their project cars to family members in other states. Those family members registered the vehicles in that state only to later sell the car back to the original family member. Once the car is registered, the car can be easily registered in the new state.

Show Me The Money

We’ve also heard about the guy around the corner that can get stuff done. Take him three $100 bills, come back in an hour and viola’… the vehicle is registered. However you choose to register you vehicle, it is going to cost you. Going through the DMV (which is the only legal method), the fees are based on factors such as the type and age of the vehicle, and residence of the owner. Each state has its own standard for setting the registration fees along with designating the different types of vehicle registrations.

We’ve had a lot of fun with certain aspects of this topic but we don’t want to send the wrong message. The best way to go about registering your antique or custom-built vehicle is to work with the DMV and follow the proper vehicle codes. Ultimately, doing things the right way will prevent problems in the future.