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Registering your military vehicle in Virginia
Posted: June 5th, 2018 @ 1:35pm
This article started as an email from a club member who recently purchased a HMMWV and needed some pointers on getting through the DMV processes for title, registration and plates. Given that most of us have been in this situation at some point, and will likely be in it again, I took the liberty of institutionalizing the knowledge on our website. I hope it helps...
Antique Plates
I believe VA recently passed legislation allowing you to register ‘off road’ vehicles with antique plates. That comes with some stipulations. For example, you can only drive to/from an event, to/from a mechanic, or within 250 miles of your house. A lot of people don’t like those restrictions, but I’ve never had a problem with them. The benefits are typically lower insurance, and you (as the owner of the vehicle) attest to is safety; meaning, no inspections are required, but the vehicle does have to be in working order.
Which DMV is best to go to?
You’ll need to go to a full service DMV. I recommend going to the Richmond Central Customer Service Center DMV on 2300 West Broad Street. It’s busy and hard to get too, but has the most knowledgeable people. In addition, they cut down the time to get titles and such, as they scan it on the spot --- that takes six weeks out of the process used by satellite DMVs.
What to take with me to the DMV?
Go to the DMV prepared with paperwork in hand. If you have your paperwork ready, they will move you further up in the wait queue. To get the forms, go to https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/#/Locations . Click Forms on the menu bar. You can also get to them by clicking “Titling a vehicle or trailer in VA”. See image below. You will need the following:
· VSA 17A – this is the application for new owner certificate of title and registration
· Proof of address – your driver’s license works
· Proof of purchase price. Form SUT 1 is best. Some DMV agents don’t realize that the SUT 1 is the DMV equivalent to a bill of sale. While you only need one or the other, I find it best to take both. Remember it has to be signed by the seller and buyer. If you cannot get the seller’s signature, you need Form SUT 1A, which is the Affidavit of Purchase Price, which has to be notarized.
· If you have a title, you may be able to use it; however, I often find issues. Recently, I had a title that was signed on the back and not on the front. The seller is now dead, and so the DMV requires a death certificate and executor of estate information to correct the issue. Once you have all of that, there’s also a $130 fee (or something along those lines). That’s why I often use Form VSA 12 – Affidavit in Lieu of Title Certificate, which also needs notarized. This is basically a statement from you saying how you came to own a vehicle that does not have a title. If you do this at a branch DMV, you must mail the form into the main office. It takes six weeks for them to scan that in; during which time, you cannot get an update of progress because it’s not in their system. If you go to the main office, they will scan it on site, saving you six weeks of waiting and potential issues.
Registering a trailer or over vehicle with no VIN
The cops have been assigning tickets frequently for trailers with no plate. Rather than trying to get a title, bill of sale, etc. (as described above) you can register it as a homemade trailer. This is not an ethical conundrum, as most trailers have some form of restoration, and a restored trailer qualifies as "homemade". In fact, the form has places to enter the original manufacture information. On your first visit, the DMV will issue a new VIN tag, which you must attach to the trailer per the instructions (driver's side tongue is preferred. After that, a cop has to come see it and sign off that it’s road worthy. With that signed form in hand, you can then go back to the DMV to get your plates. For trailers, you can get the small plates, like on a motorcycle – that’s what I recommend. You can also get permanent trailer plates, so you don’t have to mess with them ever again. For this, you need Form VSA 22 – Application for Assigned Vehicle Identification Number. This form also works for reproduction vehicles, such as a Jeep in a Box.
