Inspection & Registration in Michigan

I just ordered a Beck Speedster turn key job from Special Edition and am looking for clues on the steps that I will need to take to get it on the road as soon as possible when it is delivered. I live in Dearborn, MI.

As everyone here can tell you, the laws differ from state to state. Because your car has a tube frame you cannot register it as a VW. If Michigan has a law allowing a replica to be registered as the year and model that it most closely represents, you should have a relatively easy time. All you should need is the 9-digit chassis number that is on the tag located up front under the trunk lid, on the chassis plate welded to the center tunnel under the shift coupler access panel, and possibly on another tag in the door jamb.

Good luck and Welcome to the Madness.

Start with your state's Dept. of Motor Vehicles; and also stop in to your Highway Patrol office for advice.

Thanks! Here is the official reply from the Michigan Secretary of State:

(I'm quite impressed. I used a web input for and got a response within 24 hours. I asked a couple of follow-up questions and got answers to those is just a couple of hours)

________________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for using the Department of State's web site.

The vehicle you have described sounds like it is either a "kit" car that is being assembled for you or a replica car. If the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin is provided that identifies the vehicle as a "Replica," the vehicle can be titled using the year of manufacture, the make, followed by the word "Replica," and the replica vehicle's VIN indicated on the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin. However, if the MCO identifies the vehicle as "Replica" and notes the vehicle is a kit car consisting of component parts requiring assembly, then the vehicle is titled as Assembled and the current year is used.

In either case, you will need the proof of ownership, which should include amount paid, including any sales tax paid. The vehicle will need to be inspected by a police officer and a TR-54 VIN and Equipment Inspection form completed. Contact your local police department to arrange for the inspection. In addition to the TR-54, you will also submit a TR-34 certification statement explaining where and from whom you purchased the vehicle, and include any additional modifications you may have done yourself.

The documents will be referred to our Enforcement Division. After approval, you will be contacted by a Field Investigator to deliver the title and place the VIN on the vehicle. Until this final approval, you may only use temporary registration for your vehicle. Unfortunately, this will delay your request for a personalized plate for this vehicle.

If you have other questions, feel free to contact us at 888 SOSMICH (888-767-6424).

Sincerely,

E Brethauer, Dept Technician
Department of State Information Center

________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Mr. Brethauer,

Thank you very much for the quick response!

It is a fully assembled replica that will have a manufacturer's VIN.

Based on your feedback, I have a few more questions:

1) Can I drive it on the temporary registration? I assume if I get a
temporary, I might have to pay a second time

2) If so, do I just need tho have the police inspection first before
visiting the SOS office.

3) The vehicle is being purchased in Indiana with no sales tax. How
do I pay the Michigan sales tax?

____________________________________________________________________________________

Thank you for using the Department of State's web site.

To provide you with temporary registration, you will need to visit the Secretary of State with the documents I have indicated along with proof of Michigan no-fault insurance. You are correct in assuming that you may need more than one temporary registration and the police inspection must be done first. The Michigan sales tax of 6% of the purchase price will be collected at the Secretary of State branch office, along with the title fee of $15. The fees for temporary registration are: $30 for a 30-day, and $50 for a 60-day temporary plate. The processing of your paperwork by our Enforcement Division may take up to six weeks or longer, depending on backlogs in paperwork.

If you have other questions, feel free to contact us at 888 SOSMICH (888-767-6424).

Sincerely,

E Brethauer, Dept Technician
Department of State Information Center

Nice to get the info from the state. I didn't notice anything about an emission test. Is that required in MI?

Sounds pretty staight-forward to me. Double check the 6% tax sales tax to make sure you aren't double taxed.

My guess is requiring an emissions test in Michigan would be like a no smoking sign in Raleigh-Durham, NC.

Tom,

Michigan used to have a .pdf file with special requirements for MI "kit cars" and "replicas". This included things like, no open wheeled cars allowed, minimum bumper height of 14", and the requirement of a windshield washer system, amongst other things. I looked on the web, but could no longer find such a document.
I drafted a letter and got them to accept the bumper guards as part of the bumper, thus allowing customers to keep a "normal" ride height and still meet the 14" requirement. I wonder if these are still part of this process...???

Carey,

Do you still have a copy of this letter that you could email me?

Tom

Carey,

I found this pdf link that lists the requirements in Michigan. I think I'm covered, but I'm a little concerned about the bumper height issue.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/TR-54_38480_7.pdf

I really don't care for the appearance of the bumper guards and only added them to pass the 14 inch requirement.

It would suck to have them installed and then still get rejected.

Do you know of any way that I can become more sure that the bumper guards will pass inspection before I have them installed?

I would think you could come up with a way to do a temp bumper brace clamped onto the axle beam and use a section of 1.5" pipe as the bumper to satisfy the DMV then remove it. ~ Alan

tom,i think i can help you with it, i live on the other side of town in grosse pointe. i have a good connection with an employee of the sec of state over here, if you want i will give you my phone #. bill

Tom,

Just sent you an e-mail about this as well. From what I can gather, speaking with several MI customers, it looks like it depends on who inspects the car... Some have actually had the bumpers measured and others don't even have bumpers and were passed anyway...
Regardless, we can make it meet all the requirements, just a matter of deciding which route to take.

Bill, did you get my email? I would appreciate your help.

Tom

i will call you tom. bill

After a lot of investigation, it appears that the 14 inch minimum bumper height requirement is aimed at people who modify their cars (low riders) and not at original equipment. Carey, from Special Edition spoke with the state and is trying to get a letter to that effect. If that works out, I can have the car set up at optimal height and not worry about the inspection.

If possible, however, I would like to avoid inspection, altogether. Since this is a turnkey vehicle with a VIN and not an assembled vehicle or hotrod, I'm hoping that I can get this registered without going through inspection.

Has anyone in Michigan had success in doing this?

Well, I applied, got my temporary tag the same day. Got my personalized plate in two weeks. Then I waited 30 days for the title. Called the state and found out it was stuck in the system due the unusual VIN. They said they would process it right away. Waited another 30 days. Called back. Title application has been rejected. Even though it is a turnkey with a MSO, it is a "kit car" and has to go through the "assembled vehicle" process, and, btw, my tag is now invalid and I can't drive it. The paperwork is now back at the branch office. Parked it. My city police department was very nice and they're sending someone out this Friday (I have a furlough day) to inspect it and fill out the state inspection form. Then back to the SOS branch office, reapply, hopefully walk out with a new temporary tag. Wait for the state. Get it inspected by them. Get the title. Reapply for the permanent tag. My tax dollars at work.

It may be late...but worth the wait! Hang in there, Tom. BTW, what's the latest on the 'baby watch'?

Hey Jim 6-18! At least I got 1000 miles in before they shut
me down :)

Back on the road. Safety inspection with local police went fine (another $20), reapplied for title, walked out with new temporary tag good for 60 days (Another $50). Now have to wait to be contacted by state for second inspection, get their VIN attached, wait for the title, and finally, pay another $8 to transfer my "Natalie" tag to the vehicle.

Tom, you're a Dude among men for having that kind of patience. Lane had a similar round-afer-round with South Cacalackey when he got his car.
Thankfully, the People's Republic of Maryland has a Street Rod category -- that's actually CHEAPER than going historic or special constuction.

Thanks Cory, but what choice do I have? As long as I eventually get it registered and they don't prevent me from driving it, I'll be okay :) I'm looking forward to meeting you at Carlisle next year. This was just not the year for me with the new baby and a pre-sorted Speedster.

Tom, good decision to do some sorting for a while. Same story for me in 2005 with the DMV woes. Got it registered by Labor Day 2005. Then I made Carlisle in 2006, and have been going ever since. The SOC eastcoasters have had to put up with me ever since.........

17,000 miles and counting.

"The SOC eastcoasters have had to put up with me ever since........"

And let me tell you, it's a chore.

Obviously I'm kidding, as Danny has done one good deed or another for just about every one of us. Tom, I look forward to meeting you in the flesh next May, unless you want to join one of the smaller get-togethers that we have planned in the interim.

Woo Hoo! The State of Michigan just affixed their VIN number to my car and handed me my title! It only took 4 months! Now back to the Secretary of State Office to renew tag so that I can put my "Natalie" tag back on the car. The finish line is in sight.

Kewl for you Tom......enjoy!

Very Cool! You oughtta write a song about that!

I'm glad mine will be registered as a VW.

By the way, I just discovered I had lost my smiley face when I tried to upload a photo. I have no idea how long it has been gone.

Those of you who consider yourselves donating members may want to check from time to time to see if it is still there.

I wouldn't mind getting a reminder when my status changes.

michael will you be on the road this summer.bill

I am aiming for the Dream Cruise.

OK guys. Next year, we're caravanning to Carlisle to show the the SOC how the D roles.