New York Registration Process

[Blackbart]

Recently I purchased ERA #804 from the original owner in CT. The car was completed in 2014 and titled and registered in CT as a 1966 Cobra. This was after all the inspections required by CT to register a non-production car were met. ERA provides a chassis/body ID on the Manufactures Certificate of Origin, but this is NOT a legal VIN number as far as most, if not all State DMV departments are concerned. CT issues its own VIN for the car once all inspections have been passed.
Since I live in upstate NY, I was not sure of the process of getting the car titled and registered in my name in New York. A call to DMV confirmed my worst-case concerns, i.e. NY would not recognize the CT title or registration and I would have to start from scratch to get a NY title and registration.
The process begins by sending in an application to two different DMV agencies, Technical Services and the Auto Theft Fraud Division. Technical services wanted all the DOT SAE numbers on all the lights/lenses, four-way hazard flashers, padded sun visors, a backup light, DOT tire numbers and sizes, including photos of the car from all four angles. This seemed to be the “safety regulations” part of the process. All these requirements were relatively easy to meet. Four-way flashers were wired using the existing flasher wiring. An aftermarket back up light (had to be DOT SAE certified) was found and mounted. The Tremec 600 already has the backup light switch on the trans and it was easy to wire it from there. Padded visor “socks” were made that slip on and off the visors easily. This part of the process did not require any physical inspection at this point, other than I had to trailer the car to a Certified Weigh Station to get a Weight slip.
The other agency, Theft Fraud division, did require I trailer the car to their Albany NY inspection garage. This was about an hour and half tow from my house. The inspection is done by profoundly serious armed Troopers. I was instructed to drive the car into their facility where it was put up on a lift for the inspection. This inspection was done to verify all the parts on the car were legally obtained. I had to present the Certificate of Origin, along with all the receipts from ERA for the car chassis and options that were installed or purchased from ERA. They then went to the engine and verified the date code and block number. A 1966 Thunderbird had been purchased for the engine, so I needed the bill of sale and title transfer from that transaction. The Tremec was new and they looked at the receipt and verified the serial number of that component. The rebuilt JAG XJ6 rear axle assembly had been purchased from ERA and they had provided the bill of sale and title from the “donor” car for that unit. Again, the serial numbers were verified against the bill of sale.
The car passed this inspection with flying colors thanks the impeccable record keeping by the previous owner. If I did not have all the required documentation for all these components the car would not have passed. Once passed, this Division issues a NY VIN for the car and the new VIN sticker was placed directly below the CT VIN sticker, which they said had to stay in place for “tracking” purposes. The troopers were very complimentary once the inspection was completed, why wouldn’t they be, it’s an ERA after all! So, at the end of the inspection they give me a form that shows the car has passed the inspection and shows the NY VIN assigned to it. The form also said that the car should be titled as a 1966 ERA. This form then had to be sent to the Technical Services department who would then send me another form authorizing me to take the car to a NY Safety Inspection garage for its safety inspection. But wait, after submitting the Theft Fraud form to Technical services, they reject it saying the form was improperly filled out by the Theft Fraud Division. I had to return to the Theft Fraud garage and have the form “fixed” to satisfy Technical Services concerns. I went back the next day and met with the inspectors and showed them the email I received from Technical services. There were three areas of concern. Number one, the field for “what is the true VIN of this Car” was left blank. Technical services wanted a number in there. Number two, the check box for “is this car to be titled as a rebuilt of salvage vehicle?” had been left blank by the inspectors and number three, Technical services would not accept the car being registered as a 1966 ERA. The Troopers called Technical services to make sure the corrections they would do would be accepted before they made the corrections to the form. The true VIN was marked N/A as there was no “true VIN”, the salvage car checkbox was checked No, this is not a salvage or rebuilt car and the car HAD TO BE TITILED as a 2020 Custom! WTF? Whatever, I just wanted to get a title and registration so I could legally drive the car on public roads. Mind you, this process had started in mid-August and it is now early October. I wanted at least one nice drive before the snow flies here in the Adirondacks.
After the corrections were made I received authorization to get the car safety inspected and to get the car titled and registered in NY. All went well with that and I believe I am now the owner of the newest 1966 Cobra registered in NY as a 2020 Custom. Whatever…..
In summary, it was unfortunately a long process and at times very frustrating as I felt that one agency did not know what the other agency was doing or should be doing. Some of the requirements were almost laughable, (padded sun visors for impact/crash protection? Give me a break) At least since the engine is 1966 Vintage, no emissions tests were required. Oh, I forgot to mention what all this cost me…$25! Yes, the entire fee for all this paperwork and inspections was a whooping $25! Well, add another $10 for the final safety inspection and the total is $35 bucks. A real bargain considering I live in the most taxed state I know of. Our fine legislators are constantly looking for new things to tax, so please do not show them this letter!

[twobjshelbys]

Bummer. By declaring it a 2020 custom it will be tax assessed as a 2020 vehicle at your purchase price. My Cobra cost me my purcase price for computing sales tax, but the registration was $65 for 5 years, yours probably costs a little more than that.

[Mark IV]

The people at the DMV inspection are not "Troopers" but sworn and armed DMV inspectors. We have a lot of experience with the NYS DMV and could have helped you and saved you some effort. We have helped numerous people navigate the NYS process and better than half of them are NOT our customers. We just helped a Superformance customer that bought in Cali through the DMV maze as well as Factory Five builder not long ago.

If you give NY what they want and don't try to scam the system you will fine most of the people involved are "car people" and will give you some leeway as long as they don't think you are trying to bullsh!t them or attempting to circumvent the process.

I highly suggest that any "touchy" issues be done via PM and email and not on the forum. You will be surprised who follows these threads........

[desgros@vtlink.]

Blackbart,

Excellent outline for registering your ERA in NY. I once lived on LI but moved years ago.
Fortunately Vermont only required an MSO for my registration and of course 6% sales tax. At least one good reason for living in the Green Mountain State.
John
ERA #3010 Slabside 289 SB BRG

[1795]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Bummer. By declaring it a 2020 custom it will be tax assessed as a 2020 vehicle at your purchase price. My Cobra cost me my purcase price for computing sales tax, but the registration was $65 for 5 years, yours probably costs a little more than that.

Tony,

In NY it does not matter the year of the car for sales tax, they all get taxed the same based on the purchase price. At least there is no luxury tax on vehicles in NY.

Jim

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by 1795

Tony,

In NY it does not matter the year of the car for sales tax, they all get taxed the same based on the purchase price. At least there is no luxury tax on vehicles in NY.

Jim

I understand and agree about sales tax, but in other states (not sure about NY) the annual "personal property tax", or "registration tax" goes down with the age of the vehicle to a certain minimum based on the original value. That's the way it's been everywhere I've lived, including in MA. It seems that CT and maybe RI base it on current market value, which is related in another post here. My point is that being a 2020 vehicle, you're initial property tax will be based also on your purchase price or some other value assessment, not the depreciated value. That is how they get you in taxes.

[1795]

Tony,

There is no property tax on vehicles in NY, you pay the sales tax when you register the vehicle and then only the registration fee that only changes modestly. There is no yearly property tax on personal property, other than your home. Registration fees are based upon the weight of the vehicle, not the cost.

Jim

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by 1795

Tony,

There is no property tax on vehicles in NY, you pay the sales tax when you register the vehicle and then only the registration fee that only changes modestly. There is no yearly property tax on personal property, other than your home. Registration fees are based upon the weight of the vehicle, not the cost.

Jim

Wow! That's great! Every place else I know of taxes cars, boats, etc. I won't mention it again in case they get any ideas

[Cutter54]

Blackbart; Thanks for detailed report. I am on Long Island and planning first build of a FFR Cobra. Three questions:
1- Aside from the modest cost of the application and safety inspection didn't you have an expense of flatbedding the car to the weigh and inspection stations? For many of us that would be an additional cost, unless the car can be safely towed.
2-How to find local weigh and inspection stations in NY? I suspect they are not the same thing. Towing the car a few miles might be an option to transporting it an hour away, right?
3- The time of 2+ months for the "process" you mention, referred just to the weighing, examination/inspection & registration or is there more to it? Please comment.

Thank you so much. I am almost discouraged from starting the build, but if others did it, I should be able to. The devil is always in the details. Enjoy your baby!

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

Wow! That's great! Every place else I know of taxes cars, boats, etc. I won't mention it again in case they get any ideas

Pennsylvania does not have property tax on cars either. Hearing that other states have property taxes on cars sounds strange to me. I should be looking out for all of the taxes that other states have in case I decide to move to another state when I retire.

[Blackbart]

Originally Posted by Cutter54

Blackbart; Thanks for detailed report. I am on Long Island and planning first build of a FFR Cobra. Three questions:
1- Aside from the modest cost of the application and safety inspection didn't you have an expense of flatbedding the car to the weigh and inspection stations? For many of us that would be an additional cost, unless the car can be safely towed.
2-How to find local weigh and inspection stations in NY? I suspect they are not the same thing. Towing the car a few miles might be an option to transporting it an hour away, right?
3- The time of 2+ months for the "process" you mention, referred just to the weighing, examination/inspection & registration or is there more to it? Please comment.

Thank you so much. I am almost discouraged from starting the build, but if others did it, I should be able to. The devil is always in the details. Enjoy your baby!

Don't be discouraged, the end result is well worth the effort. Just maintain good records, keep all original receipts and you will find the process, although time consuming, to be painless. Don't try to short cut or misrepresent anything, it's simply not worth it.
I had to flat tow the car to the weigh station, (NY DMV will give you a list of certified weigh stations in your area), which was only two miles from my home, $45. For the longer tows to the inspection stations I rented a U-Haul car transporter and returned it to the same U-Haul location. It was a 24 hour rental that cost $59 each time. Those trailers are great, the car loaded on just fine, plenty of clearances.
The total time it took from submitting the paper work and getting a NY VIN/Title and plates was about 7 weeks, about what I expected.
Took the car out yesterday for the first time, drove around Lake Sacandaga and the southern Adirondacks and I am still smiling!

[twobjshelbys]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Pennsylvania does not have property tax on cars either. Hearing that other states have property taxes on cars sounds strange to me. I should be looking out for all of the taxes that other states have in case I decide to move to another state when I retire.

How much does it cost to register? Here's the breakdown of our Honda registration:

Registration 33.00
Gov (prop tax) 196.99
Supl Gov Svcs Tax 49.00
Tech fee 1.00

The "Gov" and "Supl Gov Svcs Tax" are deductible as personal property taxes on Fed income tax.

Both here and in CO, the tax portion is depreciated - it goes down every year until it reaches a minimum and then stays there. I don't recall what the time period is.

[mrmustang]

Originally Posted by 1ntCobra

Pennsylvania does not have property tax on cars either. Hearing that other states have property taxes on cars sounds strange to me. I should be looking out for all of the taxes that other states have in case I decide to move to another state when I retire.

SC is one of those states that has a personal property tax on vehicles. When I moved down from PA to SC, I was concerned about the 69 GT500. Thankfully unfounded, as my annual property tax is $35.00 My daily drivers cost 3x that much and are not worth anywhere near what the Shelby is, go figure.

Bill S.

[desgros@vtlink.]

In Vermont you pay sales tax at first registration. The fee for renewed registration stays the same for the life of the vehicle. Antique vehicle (after 25 years) and exhibit plates are much less.

John
ERA #3010 Slabside 289 SB BRG

[Cutter54]

" The total time it took from submitting the paper work and getting a NY VIN/Title and plates was about 7 weeks, about what I expected.
Took the car out yesterday for the first time, drove around Lake Sacandaga and the southern Adirondacks and I am still smiling!"

Hey man, good for you. Life is short. I hope it is all you hope for. I can't wait. Thanks for the clarification about towing, etc. I'll follow the routine, by the book, and join the club by next spring, maybe in time for some cruising. Maybe we'll meet. Stay well.

[1ntCobra]

Originally Posted by twobjshelbys

How much does it cost to register? Here's the breakdown of our Honda registration:

Registration 33.00
Gov (prop tax) 196.99
Supl Gov Svcs Tax 49.00
Tech fee 1.00

The "Gov" and "Supl Gov Svcs Tax" are deductible as personal property taxes on Fed income tax.

Both here and in CO, the tax portion is depreciated - it goes down every year until it reaches a minimum and then stays there. I don't recall what the time period is.

My son just got his drivers license a couple of months ago and last week my parents decided to give him one of their old cars as a gift for free. I put the car in my name for insurance purposes. I went to a tags place and paid $139 total to get the car in my name and registered for the first year, reusing my parent's old license plate (we only have rear plates in PA). I did not save the receipt so I don't know the break down of what the fees were.

Once you own a car, the annual fee to renew registration is $43, regardless of the age, mileage or value of the car.

[Blackbart]

Originally Posted by Cutter54

" The total time it took from submitting the paper work and getting a NY VIN/Title and plates was about 7 weeks, about what I expected.
Took the car out yesterday for the first time, drove around Lake Sacandaga and the southern Adirondacks and I am still smiling!"

Hey man, good for you. Life is short. I hope it is all you hope for. I can't wait. Thanks for the clarification about towing, etc. I'll follow the routine, by the book, and join the club by next spring, maybe in time for some cruising. Maybe we'll meet. Stay well.

I was just re-reading this thread and wondered how you are doing on your build. If done, please consider joining a bunch of Cobra's for the 2022 Summer Fun Run in Lake George, NY the weekend after 4th of July (July 8, 9 and 10).

[767Jockey]

Back when I lived in NY (11+ years ago) there was a woman in the Albany offices that handled Cobra and assembled car titling/registration issues who was an absolute nightmare to deal with. She was somewhat infamous and known by name. I can't recall what her name is/was. I wonder if she's still lurking around, or hopefully she has retired and gone to pasture. She was a nightmare, and at times that seemed to be her deliberate intention. If she's gone, good riddance.

[snapier]

I had a similar experience last year I purchased a 2002 Superformance cobra (SP01400) form Minnesota and live in Moravia, NY. I had to tow the car to an inspection station in Syracuse, NY to have a New York Vin No. and to have it registered as a 2002 Custom to get around the NY state smog laws. Once you have the paperwork completed and turned in from the inspection station it takes about 4 to 6 weeks before you see the approved form in the mail. Once you have the form you take that and proof of insurance to the DVM for your plates. It can be done in NY. I purchased the car in the beginning of May and on the street by the end of June.

[SBSerpent]

Wow. Makes the California SB100 process seem like a cakewalk