Any California DMV experts

Hey All,

So, here's what I did. Yes, it was stupid.

I'm building an autocross car, but want it to be street legal. Building a 1984 Celica. I wanted the lightest one I could find, so I got one in So Cal and drove it back to Denver. Car is exactly what I wanted.

I bought it from some rinky dink dealer in early June. He did all the paperwork and told me the state would mail me the title. I guess that's how it works there- can't imagine they made that up. Big pain it the butt, if you ask me.

Well, I have no title. I've called them a million times. First sounds like they couldn't find the title. Then just couldn't get them to actually go to the DMV and take care of it. Well, about four weeks ago he swore to me he filed the lost title paperwork and everything with the state. But I still have no title.

So the question is, assuming (and that's a big assumption) that the title was actually transferred to my name, is getting a duplicate title from California a reasonably easy thing to do? It does have current California registration. Since has never been registered in Colorado they said I can't file for a duplicate title. I'd have to bond for a new title. I got the paperwork for that... uh, no. That's not happening. Would cost more than the car.

Anyone have any advice?

Thanks,

Ed

Well, since you are dealing with a government agency, I'd presume the proper forms have not yet been buried in soft peat and used a fire lighters quite long enough. Give them another decade or so to properly age everything.

Or you could go yell at Patty and Selma.

Hmm. I only looked at the purchase process in CA from a private party; in that case you take the title, the vehicle and merrily drive off into the sunset.

You can register a car in CA in your own name with an Application for a Duplicate Title, but I guess you need to be a resident there.

If this was the Nevada DMV I'd suggest you call them and ask for advice but you're dealing with CA here...

Streetwiseguy wrote: Well, since you are dealing with a government agency, I'd presume the proper forms have not yet been buried in soft peat and used a fire lighters quite long enough. Give them another decade or so to properly age everything.

I'm still hoping that is the case. I'm guessing as soon as I figure out how to get another title the first one will find it's way to me. Kind of like going to the bathroom at a restaurant- dinner is always waiting for you when you get back.

BoxheadTim wrote: You can register a car in CA in your own name with an Application for a Duplicate Title, but I guess you need to be a resident there.

Push comes to shove, I'll "sell" it to a friend in CA and pay them to deal with this. Once they get a title in hand, I'll "buy" it back from them - private party. Easy peasy. Best idea I've come up with so far, anyhow.

I'm not completely sure it'll work yet, but I think so- I believe with a bill of sale and the right forms they could indeed get a title. Alternately, I check out the DMV procedures in various states where I have family. I could "sell" it to my sister in Ohio, or my Uncle in Texas. Some state somewhere has to make this easy.

More times changing hands is going to mean more taxes paid on the thing too, so keep that in mind.

have you called the Cali DMV to see what they have to say? they should be able to punch the vin into a computer and see if it has been transferred to you.

fast_eddie_72 wrote: ....I'm not completely sure it'll work yet, but I think so- I believe with a bill of sale and the right forms they could indeed get a title....

You will still need to have the previous owner (the current title holder) sign the lost title form to say that they lost it and get a duplicate. If the car is out of the system (over 10 years I believe) they might make you do a VIN inspection (oh joy) which has to be done by a CHP officer. I have been through variations of this process a few times.

Just call the Cali DMV. They're actually pretty helpful. I had to go through some hoops when I bought an MG that had been parked for 6 years. Most importantly, they're the only ones who can give you real, legitimate information instead of the garbage you get on internet forums

+1 for calling the DMV, they are way more helpful on the phone than they are in person.

I do not think there is a way to talk to the DMV on the phone in California. I have never done it, but I have never tried because I don't think it is possible. Just calling for an appointment will get you an automated service and an appointment in a month or two.

If you do try and call them, definitely try one in a small town (maybe someplace like Eureka or Klamath).

I have never done it, but I have never tried because I don't think it is possible.

This took all of five seconds....

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm

Telephone: 1-800-777-0133

Thanks guys. I have not called yet but was planning to. I was thinking the same thing as you novaderrik- I'm hoping they can type in the VIN and see if it shows up as being in my name. I'm thinking that would make things a lot easier. There has to be some way for me to file for a replacement of lost title if the car shows up as belonging to me. If not I'll have to mess with the nuckleheads at that car dealer again. I'd really like to avoid that.

stuart in mn wrote: This took all of five seconds.... http://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm Telephone: 1-800-777-0133

I'm not saying you can't CALL them, I am saying talking to an actual person and asking a question may not be that easy (at least not in larger towns / cities).

If you are calling the CA DMV, make sure to call the central offices in Sacremento. They are the people actually issue the titles and know the administrative rules. And, under the current governor, they have become much more helpful. If you have signed bill of sale from the seller and the value of the car is fairly low,you should be able to get a title issued.

Well, I called the California DMV. First off, they were pretty helpful, so that made me happy. They checked the VIN and found that it is not in my name. Nor is it in the name of the dealership. It is still in the name of the previous owner. Now, I don't know what happened, so I won't accuse anyone of anything, but the dealer assured me they had filed all the paperwork to transfer the title to my name. They also told me they mailed me the registration. I didn't get a registration and the car isn't in my name.

So the nice woman at the DMV directed me to the California DMV Investigations Department. She gave me the wrong number, but the woman who answered the phone at Internal Affairs got me the right number. I'm filling out a Record of Complaint Form. We'll see what that gets me.

I'm not 100% sure this will work out, but at least it seems there is some means of trying to move it forward. Even if I can't get the title, I sure plan to do everything I can to make the dealership unhappy if only to prevent them from doing anything like this again. Wish me luck.

one more choice... make it trailered a-x/track car... no tag... no title... no taxes... doubt that the PO can find you in Col.

wbjones wrote: one more choice... make it trailered a-x/track car... no tag... no title... no taxes... doubt that the PO can find you in Col.

Yes, this is an option. My wife even suggested it (!!) But I really wanted it to be street legal. My son gets his learner's permit in six months. He's really excited to drive it to High School. Besides, I don't have anywhere to keep it, let alone a trailer. It's parked on the weird garage approach in the alley right now. Off the street, but outside.

Other option is to find a cheap hatch back or GT coupe and, um, convert by taking everything off of this car and putting it on that car... if you know what I mean. But I don't like that idea either.

Hummmmmmmm.

http://www.getnewtitle.com/

I know bonding in illinois is cheap, like $50 cheap (plus regular title fees and taxes). This was as of 5 plus years ago though.

Uh oh. Did you ask them if there is any back registration due? IIRC if you own the car, they'll come after you for that...

If that was the case I"d be doing my ton-of-bricks impression on with the dealer.

BoxheadTim wrote: Uh oh. Did you ask them if there is any back registration due? IIRC if you own the car, they'll come after you for that... If that was the case I"d be doing my ton-of-bricks impression on with the dealer.

Well, dunno, but I did pay for registration for a year. I have some record (from the same dealer) that I've got current registration. But that's the same people who sold me a car they didn't have a title for, sooooooo.

internetautomart wrote: I know bonding in illinois is cheap, like $50 cheap (plus regular title fees and taxes). This was as of 5 plus years ago though.

Here in Colorado it's a lot. I got the paperwork and went through it. Shoot, it's still on my desk. I'll look at it again tomorrow. But when I started through about page four I decided it was going to get really expensive and time consuming. If that's what those title replacement people do, berkeleyin' A I'll pay them $400 to do it. I checked their BBB rating and it's A-. Not bad. Dunno.

But I'll see what the CA DMV folks can do for me first. They really did seem pretty helpful on the phone. And if it's a PITA for the dealer, all the better.

I just want to figure out if I can get a title before I spend any money on it. I have a pretty stupid check coming tomorrow. Most of it will go to an account for my retirement, but I want to hold a couple grand out for an engine for this project. But not spending another dime 'till I know what the hell I'm dealing with. Grrrr.

Well, today in the mail I got plates and a registration for the Celica in the fine state of Maine. Seems Maine doesn't issue titles for cars that old, so I should be able to take the registration into the Colorado DMV, fill out a title application and poof! New title for me. That's what they say anyhow. So far so good. May have a nice legal car soon. Got me "new" 114,000 mile engine today too. I think 2011 is going to be a good year.

I made a title mistake myself. Bought a 88 Fiero from a salvage yard, got it running then moved to Mo. I thought I'd just have my dad run the paperwork for me, but they wanted to inspect the car before issuing the title. I clearly didn't think this through.