Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes the DMV gives conflicting information and I hope to use this area to try to fill in some of these anomalies as I come across them. Look below for tips, hints and other needed details to use in your registration process and dealing with the DMV.

• What is a VIN?

The VIN is the Vehicle Identification Number. Prior to 1981, it was non-standardized but still served as a way to identify a vehicle, rather like a serial number. In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the United States standardized the format to the modern 17-character VIN. In order to avoid confusion with the numerals 1 and 0, a VIN does not include the letters I (i), O (o), or Q (q). Some older vehicles use the engine number as the only form of identification and in those cases it is filled into the VIN field of the reg31 VIN verification form rather than into the engine number field. The engine number field is only for motorcycles.

• The VIN field was filled but the Engine Number area was left blank on the verification form for my vintage car. The DMV clerk would not process my application without it. What should I do?

Unfortunately the DMV clerk was mistaken. It is even printed clearly on the form that the engine number is to be used only for motorcycles. It's perfectly okay to ask for the DMV supervisor when a clerk tells you something that you know or suspect is incorrect. That said, in some cases the engine number is used when it is the only form of identification available but in those cases, the engine number section is still left blank and the engine number is filled into the VIN section.

• The DMV will not accept the verification form as filled. Can you re-verify it?

I'll do everything possible to fix any errors I may have made. In most cases, it will not be necessary to re-verify your vehicle as I've already done so but if something was filled incorrectly, I will be happy to make the corrections and mail the new form to you.

• My vehicle does not run. Can it still be verified?

The short answer is, yes. The longer answer is that the vehicle need not be in running condition but it does need to appear that it can be made runnable. In other words, it must have all sheet metal, the drive line and wheels with inflated tires installed, have a front seat and readable speedometer as the mileage is required.

• Can you verify my vehicle if I send you clear photos of everything?

Unfortunately, no. I must see the car in person in order to verify it. Remember, I can travel if your vehicle is out of the area and there are no local verifiers available.

• Can you verify a custom vehicle?

Custom cars and trucks can be verified in most cases as long as there is some form of serialized identification, such as the engine number, to set it apart from any other vehicle and it has already been registered in California or another state. However, without actually seeing the vehicle myself, I cannot know if it's verifiable so you want me to come to you, my regular fee applies whether or not I am able to perform the verification. Generally speaking I can likely fill the form to the best of my ability but I can't guarantee that the DMV will accept it.

• Can you verify a kit car?

If the kit car has been sufficiently assembled and already has a permanently affixed VIN or serial number and has previously been registered with supporting documents available (title, registration card), then I can verify it. Otherwise it must be taken to the CHP (California Highway Patrol) for verification where they will stamp or otherwise affix a VIN number. The car will be registered by the name of the kit manufacturer so if a replica of, for example, an AC Cobra, the title will say Factory Five or whichever manufacturer provided the kit.

You will likely also be asked by the DMV to provide all the receipts for the engine, transmission and other parts so be sure keep them all together in a safe place or, better yet, it is recommended to always keep them with the car in case you are pulled over and asked to provide them.

• Is there a guarantee that the DMV will accept the form?

I will do everything possible to help you through any problems. However, as we all know, the DMV seems to make up or change rules as it goes so no one can guarantee what they will do from moment to moment. Obviously, if I've made an error I will send you a corrected form but even if the DMV says it is not filled properly, do let me know but first be sure to ask for a supervisor since it is more often than not an error on their end.

• Do you really need the title and other documents?

Yes, you will need to supply proper supporting documentation, such as Certificate of Title, Manufacturers Statement or Certificate of Origin (MSO/MCO) or Registration Card even if expired. A bill of sale, DMV receipt or other informal documentation is not sufficient. If you do not have any official documentation, then it must be taken to the CHP or DMV for verification. For motorcycles, supporting documents are required and must match the VIN and engine number of the motorcycle. Note that a licensed verifier can no longer verify vehicles for which there is foreign documentation.

• May I pay through direct bank transfer?

Unfortunately no. I can accept payment only by exact cash or credit card at the time and location of service and I must have the physical credit card. For more information and a quote, see the Costs page. However, if you wish you may pay in advance so if you let me know, I'll send you the invoice by email which will be due on receipt. For all credit/debit card transactions, there will be a 3% service fee.

• Do you accept payment online?

If you let me know in advance that you wish to pay online, I'll send you an invoice that will allow you to do so and there will be a 3% service fee. It will be due on receipt but please be sure you first use the Quote Request Form on the Costs page so that I know the amount to invoice you. Otherwise payment is by exact cash or credit/debit card at the time and location of service or in some cases for verifications that are over 25 miles, in advance through our secure payment system with the 3% service fee.

• How do you know where all the VIN and emissions tags are for all vehicles?

The short answer is that I don't. While they are generally in one of several places, it is really up to the vehicle owner to tell me where they are and to make sure in advance of my visit that they are not obstructed and are readable. On a recent verification, the car had been repainted and there was so much paint on the door jamb tag that the owner had to sand if off before the verification could be done.

• How do I schedule an appointment?

The first step is to fill and submit the Quote Request Form on the Costs page. This will tell you the exact cost of a verification at your vehicle's location and will add the details to my records for use in scheduling. Once that's been done, you can call Richard at 408-910-0009 or he will call you to work out a date that I am available in your area. In the meantime either before or after scheduling, if you have any questions or special requests, please contact me directly using the form on the Contact page.

Note that I split my time between San Jose and the general San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Cruz and the general Monterey Bay Area and that I also travel outside these areas so my availability will depend upon where I am at the time.

• Can you verify a car with a salvage title?

Unfortunately, no. No mobile VIN verifier can verify a vehicle once it has gotten a salvage title from any state. Only the CHP can verify salvaged vehicles. However, if you need a vehicles verified so that you can get a salvage title and you have non-salvage supporting documents, then I can verify it.

• What will be the cost of a verification?

To get the exact cost of a vehicle verification at its location, simply use the Quote Request Form found on the Costs page of this site. It will accurately calculate the driving distance from my closest location to your vehicle, provide the price of verifying the first vehicle, and will give you information on the cost of verifying additional vehicles during the same visit. The first 10 miles are included in the basic price so the form will calculate any mileage over this distance.

It is important to note that while the Quote Request Form calculates the distance from my closest location to your vehicle, some flexibility might be needed in order to schedule a date for when I am at that location. Otherwise the mileage will be from wherever I am at the time.

• I was told that my vehicle is a "Goldenrod" and only the DMV can complete the registration. Is this true?

According to the DMV's documentation about Goldenrod titles:

A nontransferable nontitle (goldenrod) registration may be issued when out-of-state titling documents are not submitted at the time of application for California registration and there is no change of ownership.

While I cannot speak for whether or not your vehicle has a Goldenrod title, I can say that to register it in California it would require a VIN verification and emission test, which are best done before even approaching the DMV. Once the verification is done, it would be up to the DMV to request any other paperwork they might require.

• What is needed to register my vehicle in California?

The vehicle must have in place the factory attached VIN tag, emissions and Federal Safety labels (where applicable), and you'll need to get an emissions test and fill the application for title and registration.

In order to register your vehicle in California, you will need to have official supporting documentation, such as Certificate of Title, Manufacturer Statement or Certificate of Origin (MSO/MCO) or Registration Card even if expired, a California emissions test, a VIN verification. Bills of Sale or other non-official documentation is insufficient.

• I called the DMV and they said it was probably lost in the mail because it should have been processed by now. Is it possible to get another form written up so I can make a DMV appointment and bring it in myself?

If a new form is needed, I am happy to help but first be sure at least 60 days have gone by and check with your bank to see if the check has been cashed. This has happened to me too, then after I called and mailed a new check, I discovered that they had already cashed the original check days before I called and I've been trying for two years to get a refund on the duplicate!

• Is a secondary VIN required?

1970 and newer vehicles have the US Federal Certification (FMVSS) which must also have the matching VIN from the actual VIN plate. Many trailer manufacturers seem to think that he VIN on the FMVSS is the only required VIN but it is not and they must still have the primary VIN stamped on the chassis or on a riveted metal plate. To clarify, the FMVSS contains the secondary VIN but the primary VIN tag must still be present and readable. Vehicles that are pre-1970 require only the VIN tag which is often on the firewall or door jamb but might be in other places.

NOTE: Since I cannot know the location of the VIN on every make, model and type of vehicles (although I try to research each one before the appointment), you must know where it is and make sure that it is intact and easily readable.

• Do remarks made on the verification form make an automatic referral to the CHP?

This was told to a customer by a DMV clerk but it is absolutely not true. There are some fields on the form that specifically state to make remarks as needed to clarify the selection, which is what the Remarks area is for.

• Do I need to pay in advance of the appointment?

Generally speaking, payment is due at the time and place of the verification either by exact cash or by credit/debit card and for credit/debit cards, a service fee of 3% may be applied. However, on appointments that are over 25 miles away, I do require payment in advance by credit card and will send you an invoice where it can be paid securely online and is due on receipt.

If you will not be present personally to pay at the time and place of the verification I can certainly send an invoice where you can pay in advance if you wish to do so. Just let me know ahead of time.

• Can you verify vehicles for registration in another state?

If you know that the state in question will accept a verification from a licensed VIN verifier in California and can provide a couple copies of the form, I would be happy to do it for you and there is an extra fee for this service. If you let me know in advance that the state provides the form on their Web site, I can also download and print it for you. When submitting the Quote Request form prior to setting up an appointment, select the number of extra forms required. That is, if you have one vehicle requiring the verification for another state, select one (1). I understand that Nevada, Oregon and Wyoming will accept my verifications and there are likely others.

• How can I get more information about the process?

For general information, you can call Richard at 408-910-0009 and if he's not available to answer, be sure to leave a message. For questions specific to your vehicle or for more technical things, please use the Contact form which sends directly to me.

• My car has a 500cc or smaller engine so does it need to have the emissions label since it is exempt?

All cars 1968 or newer must have the emissions label and on vehicles that are exempt from emissions devices, the label will say so. Remember, it is the label that I look for which which is required even on vehicles that are excempt. If your vehicle was not built for use on U.S. roads, it might not have the label and in that case the application may require further certification by other agencies before it can be registered. I cannot verify vehicles which have only foreign supporting documents.

• Can a vehicle from another state be registered in California?

Per the California DMV's site: Not all new vehicles are manufactured to be sold in California. Many manufacturers make vehicles to be sold only in the other 49 states. These vehicles (49-state) are made with smog equipment that meets federal emission standards, but not California standards. California-certified (50-state) vehicles are made to be sold in California.

• My Federal Certification label is missing. Can you locate an alternate VIN?

Per the California DMV's site: Only the California Highway Patrol (CHP) may search for an alternate vehicle identification number (VIN) and complete the Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form when the U.S. Federal Certification Label is missing, illegible, or damaged.

• I bought and imported a vehicle from another country. Can I register it?

According to the California DMV's site: California has special requirements for vehicles imported from other countries (including Canada and Mexico). It may be very costly or impossible to modify these vehicles to meet California emission requirements and/or federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). No direct import vehicle less than two years old can be converted to California emission standards. Not all direct import vehicles over two years old can be converted to California emission standards and FMVSS. No motorcycle or diesel-powered vehicle can be converted to California emission standards. For details, contact the California Air Resources Board (CARB).