Connecticut Registration

[thardin]

I am looking into kits currently, and was wondering what the registration process was like in CT. Anybody go through this lately? Are there any specific things I should look out for? How about Emissions? Looks like they are starting that up again!

My parents have a summer house in Maine with an establishe P.O. box. What are the advantages or dis-advantages of trying to register the vehicle in Maine? Any legal ramifications? Is there an inspection process there?

[Don]

Obtain from CT DMV the publication: R-157 Composite Motor Vehicles which contains all the regulations. CT refers to kit cars as Composites: Major other items

Vehicle must be trailered to Wethersfield, temp plates are not allowed.

Side exhaust must have heat shields

Inspection includes brake test and placing on a lift

Anti theft unit will reserach any previous VINS, if previoulsy registered

Major drivetrain compoents must each have a Bill of Sale: Engine, transmission, rear end

Vehicle needs a Bill of Sale and if a new registration a Certificate of origin. I had all my documents Notarized

CT DMV assigns a new VIN beginning with CT and then the number. Anti-theft unit affixes the Vin tag to the door jam

My Cobra had a notarized Bill of Sale, legal title and registration from the state of Wisconsin. CT would not accept since the Cobra was recognized as a kit ( composite ) car However, there was no difficulty in accepting the paperwork for payment of Sales Tax

If paperwork is incomplete, car will not be inspected.

..........Good Luck !!!!!!

.......

[Bob In Ct]

Just met a guy at Heavenly Donuts in Derby who just registered a B&B (used). He says he did not have to go to Weathersfield or go through inspection. He has antique plates on it too! Of course I'm still being treated as a 2000 which means I'll be registering my SPF out of state very soon.

Bob

[thardin]

What are the difficulties and pitfalls of registering out of state? My parents have a house in Maine, but only have a P.O. box. Any issues there? Would I have to insure it in Maine? Would there be any issues with that?

[Bob In Ct]

The State of Maine will register your car even without a Maine address. They will charge you property tax each year as well. All the paperwork is sent to your Connecticut address. Maine uses the funds to maintain there roads.

Have you ever noticed how many classic cars have Maine plates?

Bob

[Don]

The regulations I referenced were in effect during June of 2000 , R 157 Composite Motor Vehicles. Same as Bob in CT, my Cobra year of vehicle is 2000, the year it was registered. While waiting for the inspection, the Cobra in front of me did not pass since it did not have the exhaust heat shields, which I had installed.

Has anyone else recently, in 2003 , registered in CT a kit/composite car and would share their experience ?

The only potential pitfall of registering out of state, if stopped for a moving violation or an accident , is explaining the difference on the out of state registration using a CT mail to address with a CT drivers license and avoiding payment of property taxes to the CT city/town where the vehicle is garaged.

[Bob In Ct]

Don:
You're correct about the registration and license not matching. That is a better situation, however, than flunking emissions and not being registered at all. Which is exactly what will happen to me at inspection time. And remember, you only pay property taxes on registered cars. The state by denying my registration is telling the town that it is their call that I not pay property taxes.

Bob

[thardin]

Maine Registration does not sound all that bad, if possible. My parents live there from April through October and have a mailing address. I would not have a CT "mail-to" address. Is there an issue having a license with a CT residence but a car registered in Maine? Would I get a hard time for that?