Getting a title question

[quick128]

Anybody in Virginia have experience or ideas for getting a title on an imported truck that has never been titled in the US, has no import documents, but has been in the country close to 8 years. It's a series III 109. I have not contacted DMV and I'm a little frightened at what they might tell me. This is out of my scope of knowledge.

 

[ArmyRover]

Offer to have their cars ticketed and impounded if they give you any shit.

The no import docs might be a issue, could you get copies through the FOIA?

 

[Buddy]

Anybody in Virginia have experience or ideas for getting a title on an imported truck that has never been titled in the US, has no import documents, but has been in the country close to 8 years. It's a series III 109. I have not contacted DMV and I'm a little frightened at what they might tell me. This is out of my scope of knowledge.

Used to use this place years and years ago to register imported series trucks. http://www.its-titles.com/lost_title_for_car.html

But to be honest It's been at least 12 years since I've used them so I'm not sure how much things have changed. But back then all you needed was a bill of sale and a CC. We typically just made our own bill of sale and sent them in.

 

[garrett]

What Buddy said..........

There are lots of ways to do this. Some states are a little more forgiving in terms of vehicles with no titles/documents. I've done this before but it has been MANY years. I can't remember which states are the most lenient, but you can get a title from one of these states (Maine is one I believe), while using a local address. We do it with out OEX Hiluxes, etc in terms of having them titled in CT, but showing them being garaged (paying taxes, etc) in VA and NC. This can be done as personal OR business.

There use to be a website that did this service for you many, many years ago as I've used them. I think there was a thread on here about it as well back then too - but we're talking 15 years. Let me dig around a little later and see what I can find.

EDIT: This might who I dealt with. Contact them (or Buddy's link). They will know what to do. http://www.broadwaytitle.com/

 

[D Chapman]

Anybody in Virginia have experience or ideas for getting a title on an imported truck that has never been titled in the US, has no import documents, but has been in the country close to 8 years. It's a series III 109. I have not contacted DMV and I'm a little frightened at what they might tell me. This is out of my scope of knowledge.

This sounds like a good deal kinda buy. You should probably just tell me where this truck is located and allow me to handle this one.

 

[emmodg]

You can petition the VA DMV for a replacement for lost title or claim abandonment.
Personally - unless this truck is being given away I'd run from it. Unless you just want a cool looking lawn ornament.

 

[roverover]

Find a local towing company that handles abandoned vehicles put it through their abandoned vehicle auction buy it at the state set price and you get a clear title or if you don't and buy it for a dollar after the auction and get a salvage Title

 

[quick128]

This sounds like a good deal kinda buy. You should probably just tell me where this truck is located and allow me to handle this one.

Let's just say its one of the better deals I've ever come across.

 

[garrett]

Find a local towing company that handles abandoned vehicles put it through their abandoned vehicle auction buy it at the state set price and you get a clear title or if you don't and buy it for a dollar after the auction and get a salvage Title

That's a good idea too.

It's not a huge deal either way - go through one of the many companies that issue new titles or something along the lines Randy is talking about. Won't be any harder than getting a mechanics lean - VIN/title search, etc.

 

[emmodg]

A towing/salvager/crusher has to fill out the exact same forms you would have to and are required to give the "abandoned" vehicles owner the same time to claim the vehicle as you. It's not any faster. You can run the VIN through VA's abandon title database to see if it's in it. You can pay the state around $25 or $35 to run through the database to see if it ever had a VA title. The state changed their laws on this not long ago. I went through all of this not long ago on a Ford Cortina Wagon.

 

[ptschram]

A towing/salvager/crusher has to fill out the exact same forms you would have to and are required to give the "abandoned" vehicles owner the same time to claim the vehicle as you. It's not any faster. You can run the VIN through VA's abandon title database to see if it's in it. You can pay the state around $25 or $35 to run through the database to see if it ever had a VA title. The state changed their laws on this not long ago. I went through all of this not long ago on a Ford Cortina Wagon.

I've done many "garagekeeper's liens" in Indiana.

Sadly, now, even those who have a need for the info can no longer have any access to the BMV database due to "Privacy Concerns"... IMO, it has made it much easier to steal vehicles by mailing certified letters to bogus addresses, advertising auctions and applying for titles.

Am I the only one who finds it curious that a LEO is asking for such info?

 

[quick128]

Never been titled. This I know for sure. Left behind by wealthy guy who had an orvis ad in his head for his fly fishing trips. Walked away and got another when he found head gaskets leaking within days of it rolling off the ship. Unfortunately he took paper work with him. That was 2006. I went ahead and got it. Ill trailer it home one evening this week. Worst case I'll dismantle it or use it for a hybrid on a coil chassis.

 

[galen216]

I've used ITS Titles too and it was no problem. They register it in Maine and send you a title and registration from Maine, then you register in your home state.

 

[ptschram]

Never been titled. This I know for sure. Left behind by wealthy guy who had an orvis ad in his head for his fly fishing trips. Walked away and got another when he found head gaskets leaking within days of it rolling off the ship. Unfortunately he took paper work with him. That was 2006. I went ahead and got it. Ill trailer it home one evening this week. Worst case I'll dismantle it or use it for a hybrid on a coil chassis.

New best friend and hero!

 

[quick128]

I've used ITS Titles too and it was no problem. They register it in Maine and send you a title and registration from Maine, then you register in your home state.

I own land in Maine and have an address. Might be the route I take.

 

[rovercanus]

Am I the only one who finds it curious that a LEO is asking for such info?

Yes.

 

[seventyfive]

yes.

x2

 

[quick128]

As I said title stuff is outside my scope of responsibilities. DMV as their own law enforcement for that. I simply wanted to know a legit way to do it and walk into DMV like a boss with my shit figured out. I could have already been done with a VIN swap by now if I wanted to.

 

[garrett]

I own land in Maine and have an address. Might be the route I take.

Yep - this is what I was referring to - what Galen said. Maine has quite a few resident agent companies that allow you to use their address for the plates/registration. But since you have a legit address you can use that. It's cheaper to keep the registration in Maine too - hence why you see so many trailers with Maine plates all over the country.

 

[ptschram]

Given my profession, I am afraid to even consider such actions without being scrupulously compliant. At one point, I had a vehicle assembler's registration through the Indiana BMV.

When I had a vehicle I kept at my camp in the UP, it bore an Indiana license plate as I didn't meet the domicile requirements for "Resident" status.

I have a tool customer who runs a motorcycle shop. He has many customers whose really wild custom bikes are all titled and licensed in either Montana or Wyoming-lifetime plates and cheap.

My comment about the LEO was meant to indicate that I'd expect a LEO to have resources to find such info. I'm sure one would have a network of LEOs with other agencies. Even I have a network of a coupla LEOs with different agencies I can make inquiries to.