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Custom Built Car Registration
Research, Reviews, Pricing & More. Get Custom Auto Discounts.www.Edmunds.comQuality garage solutions to maximize your space. Get a free estimate.www.customclosetsbyapaintedlady.comTop What is a Custom-Built Car?
California law describes a custom-built car as one that's "built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer." Basically, a custom-built car is one you built yourself. These types of cars are usually built from kits, or parts taken from salvage vehicles and other cars.
Restored cars, even if you manufactured parts, aren't custom-built. Modification to body, engine, vehicle systems, or the vehicle's interior also don't qualify. You could add a miniature version of the Caesar's Palace water fountains to the rear deck and your car will still qualify as a regular car, registration-wise.
Because custom-built cars are not your typical vehicles, the registration process is a little more involved than with a regular car.
Top Paperwork Tips
When you register, you'll need documentation to prove you're the owner. Hang on to your invoices, manufacturers' certificates of origin, receipts, bills of sale, and junk receipts for the major components such as the frame, engine, body, and transmission.
Top How to Register
When you're ready to put your custom car on the road, make an appointment at your local DMV office. You'll need:
- A completed Application for Title or Registration.
- A filled-out Statement of Construction.
- Proof-of-ownership documents, like receipts and bills of sale. A motor vehicle bond will be required if proof of ownership cannot be obtained for parts valued at $5,000 or more.
- A vehicle verification done by the California Highway Patrol. Make your DMV registration appointment before scheduling the CHP vehicle verification.
- Official brake and light adjustment certificate, unless your custom vehicle is an off-highway vehicle or a trailer weighing less than 3,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
- A smog check certificate completed by a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee Station. Since custom-built cars do not have a year-of-origin designated by a manufacturer, they must be inspected by a BAR Referee Station instead of a regular smog check facility (call (800) 622-7733 for an appointment).
- Any and all titling, sales tax, and registration fees due.
Top Registration Fees
Motor vehicle registrations in California are based on your location and the age of the vehicle. If your custom car can be "dated"―that is, if there is a model year for the body and motor―you can use the DMV's handy registration fee calculator to estimate your fees based on how much you spent on the parts.
Related Questions from DMV Answers
Are vehicle inspection stations open on Saturday?
Days and hours of operation for vehicle inspection stations can vary greatly. Your state might perform vehicle inspections at privately owned inspection stations located throughout the state, in which case you’ll need to contact your closest station and ask about days and hours, or it might perform these inspections at the DMV, in which case times will depend on the DMV’s typical days and hours.In order to register your vehicle or renew your vehicle’s registration, as well as avoid citations, fines, and other penalties, it’s important to handle your auto inspection (and, in some cases, the re-inspection) within the time limits your state mandates.Check your state in the grid below.NOTE: The grid might state that your state doesn’t require vehicle inspections, but keep in mind this grid deals with safety inspections only. Your state might require other kinds of inspections, such as emissions inspections or VIN inspections in certain situations (such as w...
Read more >>What if my car fails the vehicle inspection?
The grid below highlights how your state requires you to handle a failed vehicle inspection.Generally, you’ll need to make the necessary repairs and return the vehicle for another inspection. However, some states offer perks such as free re-inspections for returning the vehicle within a certain amount of time and/or to the same auto inspection station. In addition to taking advantage of any freebies your state offers, it’s important to make the repairs and return for a re-inspection in a timely manner in order to handle vehicle registration or registration renewal on time, as well as avoid late fees, citations, and other penalties.NOTE: If the grid states you don’t have to get a vehicle inspection in your state, be sure to double-check with your motor vehicle licensing agency. Some states do require certain kinds of inspections, such VIN inspections before registering out-of-state vehicles, salvage vehicles that have been rebuilt, or custom-built vehicles, or emiss...
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