[Morgester]

Vehicle Code § 580. Specially constructed vehicle


A "specially constructed vehicle" is a vehicle which is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. A specially constructed vehicle may be built from (1) a kit; (2) new or used, or a combination of new and used, parts; or (3) a vehicle reported for dismantling, as required by Section 5500 or 11520, which, when reconstructed, does not resemble the original make of the vehicle dismantled. A specially constructed vehicle is not a vehicle which has been repaired or restored to its original design by replacing parts.

SB100 is designed for any vehicle that fits the above definition. As a practice, DMV denies a "specially constructed vehicle" designation for any vehicle that is assembled by one builder for a customer. They view this as a resale.

To establish private use it is the better practice to use multiple vendors or do the installation your self. A new turn key kit car can never be registered in California because it was built for the purpose of resale.

Once you build your car (not for purpose of resale) after some passage of time you may sell it. The used vehicle is still a "specially constructed vehicle"

So the type of kit (or lack thereof) doesn’t mater. Rather it is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer