REGULATIONS - STATE, FEDERAL, EXPORT
Custom-Built Cars
If you have a custom-built vehicle in Washington, you will need to first apply for a vehicle identification number (VIN) before you can register it. Schedule an appointment with the Washington State Patrol. You will need to bring some documents with you to the inspection:
- Bills of sale for all major components of the vehicle.
- A letter from the WA DOL explaining why you need an inspection.
There may be additional documents required depending on your situation. Visit the WA State Patrol website for more information.
Once you have a VIN assigned to your custom vehicle, follow the steps on our Washington Car Registration page to register your car. You'll need to bring your VIN inspection certificate with you to the WA DOL.
KIT VEHICLE – RCWs 46A.37.519, 46.04.251 A Kit vehicle means a passenger car or light truck assembled from a manufactured kit, and is either a kit consisting of a prefabricated body and chassis used to construct a complete vehicle, or a kit consisting of a prefabricated body to be mounted on an existing vehicle chassis and drive train, commonly referred to as a donor vehicle. "Kit vehicle" does not include a vehicle that has been assembled by a manufacturer.
STREET ROD / CUSTOM VEHICLE CHECK LIST (for road use) STREET ROD – RCW 46.04.572 “Street rod vehicle" means a motor vehicle that: (1) Is a 1948 or older vehicle or the vehicle was manufactured after 1948 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949; and (2) Has alterations to one or more of the major component parts listed in RCW 46.80.010 that change the appearance or performance of the vehicle from the original manufacturer's design or has a body constructed from non original materials CUSTOM VEHICLE – RCW 46.04.161 “Custom vehicle" means a motor vehicle that: (1) Is at least thirty years old and of a model year after 1948 or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle at least thirty years old and of a model year after 1948; and (2) Has alterations to one or more of the major component parts listed in RCW 46.80.010 that change the appearance or performance of the vehicle from the original manufacturer's design or has a body constructed from non original materials.
Washington
To start with one needs to visit the DOL website:
Vehicle Dealer and Manufacturer Manual
When building a hotrod or replica car I have found it vital to keep a file with all of the receipts for materials and parts as well as any titles of parts cars that may have been purchased. When substantially complete the car must be taken to a State Patrol inspection station and if the paperwork is in order then a new title can be issued. Note in Washington State ownership (having title) does not mean the car can be driven as the State has a provision for title purposes only. Emissions is a separate agency and has its own set of rules.
When a person starts collecting parts for a project that will need to be titled start a book on it. A three ring binder with page savers works well. Save each receipt no matter how insignificant you feel it is. documentation of major parts is especially important. If the engine, trans and rear axle came from a donor car, include paperwork that shows you purchased or owned the donor. The bill of sale for the donor or a photo copy of the title. A written and photo log of the build in the book is a good idea too.
It should also be noted that Washington will not issue you a title for a fabricated vehicle (car, motorcycle, vintage travel trailer, etc) for three years. You will receive a "registration only". After the three years have passed, provided that no one has laid claim to the VIN of your vehicle, you may apply for the title.
HOMEMADE VEHICLES CHECK LIST (for road use) PASSENGER VEHICLE – RCW 46.04.382 “Passenger car” means every motor vehicle except motorcycle’s and motor-driven cycles, designed for carrying ten passengers or less and used for transportation of persons. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS – 49 CFR part 571; RCW 46.37; and WACs 204-10, 204-21 AIR BAGS 49 CFR 571.208; RCW 46.37.640-660 BRAKES 49 CFR 571.105-106, 116; RCW 46.37.340, 351, 360, 365; WAC 204-10-032 BUMPERS RCW 46.37.513, 517; WAC 204-10-022 WINDSHIELD/DEFROSTER/WASHING SYSTEM 49 CFR 571.103, 104; RCW 46.37.410; WAC 204.10.024, 022 DEFROSTER SYSTEM IF ENCLOSED 49 CFR 571.103; RCW 46.37.410; WAC 204-10-022 DOOR AND DOOR LATCHES 49 CFR 571.206; RCW 46.37.517; WAC 204-10-022 EMERGENCY BRAKE 49 CFR 571.114; RCW 46.37.340, 351 FENDER/SPLASH APRON RCW 46.37.500; WAC 204-10-022 HEADLIGHTS 49 CFR 571.108; RCW 46.37.040, 030; WAC 204-21-040 TAIL LAMPS 49 CFR 571.108; RCW 46.37.050; WAC 204.21.030 LICENSE PLATES RCW 46.16A.200(5)(a), 46.37.050(3) REAR REFLECTORS 49 CFR 571.108; RCW 46.37.060, 100, 110 STOP LAMP 49 CFR 571.108; RCW 46.37.070, 46.37.200 TURN SIGNALS 49 CFR 571.108; RCW 46.37.070, 46.37.200; WAC 204.21.060 CLEARANCE/SIDE MARKER LAMPS/REFLECTORS 49 CFR 571.108; RCW 46.37.090, 100, 110-120; WAC 204.21.050 HOOD & HOOD LATCH 49 CFR 571.113; RCW 46.37.517; WAC 204-10-022 FRAME WAC 204.10.022
ASSEMBLED VEHICLE • WAC 308-56A-455 Assembled vehicles. An assembled vehicle is a vehicle that: (a) Has had the complete body or frame replaced with the body or frame from another commercially manufactured vehicle; or (b) Had the body or frame cut in two and replaced with a major portion of the body or frame from another vehicle; or (c) Has had a major modification so that the VIN no longer properly describes the vehicle; or (d) Is a motorcycle on which the frame and engine are of different make or model years. An assembled vehicle is made from parts produced by recognized manufacturers for commercially produced vehicles, and can be recognized as one produced by a particular manufacturer. Assembled vehicles do not include glider kits, custom built, replica, kit vehicles, or trucks installed with a different bed. • RCW 46.12.560(4)(A) - Authorizes Washington State Patrol to inspect assembled vehicles for licensing purposes WHAT TO EXPECT AT TIME OF INSPECTION: APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL INSPECTIONS. All major component parts used to construct an Assembled Vehicle will be verified by the VIN officer. Documentation must be presented at the time of inspection to show legal ownership of the vehicle/parts used. The VIN officer will inspect the assembled vehicle to determine if it meets the equipment requirements of WAC Title 204, and/or RCW Title 46 to be road legal. Your vehicle will not pass inspection if any major component part is damaged, inoperable, and/or missing, to include the vehicle airbag system (meaning-any deployed or missing airbag must be replaced and the airbag indicator light on the dash must be working properly). Your vehicle will not be assigned the appropriate Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) until it complies with all of the equipment requirements. You will have to return for a final inspection. RCW 46.80.010 "Major component part" includes at least each of the following vehicle parts: (a) Engines and short blocks; (b) frame; (c) transmission and/or transfer case; (d) cab; (e) door; (f) front or rear differential; (g) front or rear clip; (h) quarter panel; (i) truck bed or box; (j) seat; (k) hood; (l) bumper; (m) fender; and (n) airbag.) DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF INSPECTION: WAC 308-56a-265 • Documents presented at time of inspection must be original (meaning- being the first form or occurrence of something). Faxes or copies will not be accepted. • Bills of sale from private parties presented at time of inspection must be notarized (meaning- to certify a signature on a legal document by affixing a notary's stamp and signature verifying the identity of the seller signing the document) • All receipts/invoices for major component parts must be made out to you the vehicle owner, your immediate family member, or the body shop that repaired the salvage vehicle. Major component parts purchased from a third party require a notarized bill of sale from the original purchaser to you, and the original parts receipt, or, in the case of a licensed business, a letterhead statement of transfer to you, and the original parts receipts. • Any parts purchased from a licensed business must be presented with an ORIGINAL sales receipt/invoice. The receipt/invoice must show the name and address of the business, a description of the parts sold, the date of sale, and the purchase price. • Any parts purchased from a licensed vehicle wrecker must be presented with an original sales receipt/invoice to include the wrecking yard name and address, a description of the parts sold, the date of sale, the amount of sale, and the stock number and/or VIN of the vehicle the parts came from. • Any vehicle/parts purchased/given/traded from a private party must be presented with a signed and released title to the vehicle the parts came off of, or a notarized bill of sale. The notarized bill of sale/gift/trade must include the name, address, phone number of the seller and purchaser, a description of the parts sold, the vehicle information the parts came off of, to include year, make, model, VIN, the date of sale, and the purchase price. • Internet/Electronic receipts will ONLY be accepted for NEW AFTERMARKET MAJOR COMPONENTS when the internet/electronic receipt is accompanied by an original packing slip/shipping invoice. You must print out a copy of the internet/electronic receipt to present to the VIN Officer at time of inspection. The printed internet/electronic receipt must include the business name, address, phone number, date of purchase, description of part, purchase price, and tax paid if any. • Weight slip from a certified scale for the completed vehicle RCW 46.12.560(3)-If you are unable to provide an acceptable release of interest or proof of ownership for the vehicle or major component parts as described above an inspection will be completed for ownership-in-doubt purposes as described in RCW 46.12.680 and WAC 308-56A-210. Ownershipin-doubt means applying for a three year registration without title; after three years a Washington title can be requested. Please refer to the WSP website ( http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/vinspect.htm ) for further information or call your local VIN Officer if you have any questions and to set up an appointment for inspection.
HOMEMADE MOTOR VEHICLES • WAC 204-10-014(6)"Motor vehicle" means passenger vehicles, multipurpose passenger vehicles, motorcycles, trucks and buses which are intended for use on public highways • RCW 46.04.320 “Motor vehicle" means every vehicle that is self-propelled. "Motor vehicle" includes a neighborhood electric vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.357. "Motor vehicle" includes a medium-speed electric vehicle as defined in RCW 46.04.295. An electric personal assistive mobility device is not considered a motor vehicle. A power wheelchair is not considered a motor vehicle. A golf cart is not considered a motor vehicle, except for the purposes of chapter 46.61 RCW. • RCW 46.12.560(4)(A) - Authorizes Washington State Patrol to inspect homemade vehicles for licensing purposes WHAT TO EXPECT AT TIME OF INSPECTION: APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL INSPECTIONS. All major component parts used to construct a Homemade Vehicle will be verified by the VIN officer. Documentation must be presented at the time of inspection to show legal ownership of the vehicle/parts used. The VIN officer will inspect the homemade vehicle to determine if it meets the equipment requirements of WAC Title 204, and/or RCW Title 46 to be road legal. Your vehicle will not pass inspection and will not be assigned a Washington State Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) until it complies with all of the equipment requirements. You will have to return for a final inspection. • RCW 46.80.010 "Major component part" includes at least each of the following vehicle parts: (a) Engines and short blocks; (b) frame; (c) transmission and/or transfer case; (d) cab; (e) door; (f) front or rear differential; (g) front or rear clip; (h) quarter panel; (i) truck bed or box; (j) seat; (k) hood; (l) bumper; (m) fender; and (n) airbag.) DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF INSPECTION: WAC 308-56a-265 • Documents presented at time of inspection must be original (meaning- being the first form or occurrence of something). Faxes or copies will not be accepted. • Bills of sale from private parties presented at time of inspection must be notarized (meaning- to certify a signature on a legal document by affixing a notary's stamp and signature verifying the identity of the seller signing the document) • All receipts/invoices for major component parts must be made out to you the vehicle owner, your immediate family member, or the body shop that repaired the salvage vehicle. Major component parts purchased from a third party require a notarized bill of sale from the original purchaser to you, and the original parts receipt, or, in the case of a licensed business, a letterhead statement of transfer to you, and the original parts receipts. • Any parts purchased from a licensed business must be presented with an ORIGINAL sales receipt/invoice. The receipt/invoice must show the name and address of the business, a description of the parts sold, the date of sale, and the purchase price. • Any parts purchased from a licensed vehicle wrecker must be presented with an original sales receipt/invoice to include the wrecking yard name and address, a description of the parts sold, the date of sale, the amount of sale, and the stock number and/or VIN of the vehicle the parts came from. • Any vehicle/parts purchased/given/traded from a private party must be presented with a signed and released title to the vehicle the parts came off of, or a notarized bill of sale. The notarized bill of sale/gift/trade must include the name, address, phone number of the seller and purchaser, a description of the parts sold, the vehicle information the parts came off of, to include year, make, model, VIN, the date of sale, and the purchase price. • Internet/Electronic receipts will ONLY be accepted for NEW AFTERMARKET MAJOR COMPONENTS when the internet/electronic receipt is accompanied by an original packing slip/shipping invoice. You must print out a copy of the internet/electronic receipt to present to the VIN Officer at time of inspection. The printed internet/electronic receipt must include the business name, address, phone number, date of purchase, description of part, purchase price, and tax paid if any. • Weight slip from a certified scale for the completed vehicle • If you purchase a completed homemade vehicle, you need to present a notarized bill of sale/gift/trade from the person you purchased the completed homemade vehicle from along with all of their original parts documentation as required above. (All documents must meet the requirements listed above under DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF INSPECTION) RCW 46.12.560(3)-If you are unable to provide an acceptable release of interest or proof of ownership for the vehicle or major component parts as described above an inspection will be completed for ownership-in-doubt purposes as described in RCW 46.12.680 and WAC 308-56A-210. Ownership-in-doubt means applying for a three year registration without title; after three years a Washington title can be requested. Please refer to the WSP website ( http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/vinspect.htm ) for further information or call your local VIN Officer if you have any questions and to set up an appointment for inspection.
STREET ROD/CUSTOM VEHICLES • RCW 46.04.572 "Street rod vehicle" means a motor vehicle that: (1) Is a 1948 or older vehicle or the vehicle was manufactured after 1948 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949; and (2) Has alterations to one or more of the major component parts listed in RCW 46.80.010 that change the appearance or performance of the vehicle from the original manufacturer's design or has a body constructed from non original materials. • RCW 46.04.161 "Custom vehicle" means any motor vehicle that: (1) Is at least thirty years old and of a model year after 1948 or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle at least thirty years old and of a model year after 1948; and (2) Has alterations to one or more of the major component parts listed in RCW 46.80.010 that change the appearance or performance of the vehicle from the original manufacturer's design or has a body constructed from non original materials • RCW 46.12.560(4)(A) - Authorizes Washington State Patrol to inspect homemade vehicles for licensing purposes WHAT TO EXPECT AT TIME OF INSPECTION: APPOINTMENTS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL INSPECTIONS. All major component parts used to construct a street rod/custom vehicle will be verified by the VIN officer. Documentation must be presented at the time of inspection to show legal ownership of the vehicle/parts used. The VIN officer will inspect the street rod/custom vehicle to determine if it meets the equipment requirements of WAC Title 204, and/or RCW Title 46 to be road legal. Your vehicle will not pass inspection and will not be assigned a Washington State Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) until it complies with all of the equipment requirements. You will have to return for a final inspection. Reference RCW 46.37.500; 46.37.518; and 46.37.5185 for equipment exemptions for street rod/custom vehicle • RCW 46.80.010 "Major component part" includes at least each of the following vehicle parts: (a) Engines and short blocks; (b) frame; (c) transmission and/or transfer case; (d) cab; (e) door; (f) front or rear differential; (g) front or rear clip; (h) quarter panel; (i) truck bed or box; (j) seat; (k) hood; (l) bumper; (m) fender; and (n) airbag.) DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF INSPECTION: WAC 308-56a-265 • Documents presented at time of inspection must be original (meaning- being the first form or occurrence of something). Faxes or copies will not be accepted. • Bills of sale from private parties presented at time of inspection must be notarized (meaning- to certify a signature on a legal document by affixing a notary's stamp and signature verifying the identity of the seller signing the document) • All receipts/invoices for major component parts must be made out to you the vehicle owner, your immediate family member, or the body shop that repaired the salvage vehicle. Major component parts purchased from a third party require a notarized bill of sale from the original purchaser to you, and the original parts receipt, or, in the case of a licensed business, a letterhead statement of transfer to you, and the original parts receipts. • Any parts purchased from a licensed business must be presented with an ORIGINAL sales receipt/invoice. The receipt/invoice must show the name and address of the business, a description of the parts sold, the date of sale, and the purchase price. • Any parts purchased from a licensed vehicle wrecker must be presented with an original sales receipt/invoice to include the wrecking yard name and address, a description of the parts sold, the date of sale, the amount of sale, and the stock number and/or VIN of the vehicle the parts came from. • Any vehicle/parts purchased/given/traded from a private party must be presented with a signed and released title to the vehicle the parts came off of, or a notarized bill of sale. The notarized bill of sale/gift/trade must include the name, address, phone number of the seller and purchaser, a description of the parts sold, the vehicle information the parts came off of, to include year, make, model, VIN, the date of sale, and the purchase price. • Internet/Electronic receipts will ONLY be accepted for NEW AFTERMARKET MAJOR COMPONENTS when the internet/electronic receipt is accompanied by an original packing slip/shipping invoice. You must print out a copy of the internet/electronic receipt to present to the VIN Officer at time of inspection. The printed internet/electronic receipt must include the business name, address, phone number, date of purchase, description of part, purchase price, and tax paid if any. • Weight slip from a certified scale for the completed vehicle • If you purchase a completed Street Rod or Custom vehicle, you need to present a notarized bill of sale/gift/trade from the person you purchased the completed street rod or custom vehicle from along with all of their original parts documentation as required above. (All documents must meet the requirements listed above under DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED AT TIME OF INSPECTION) RCW 46.12.560(3)-If you are unable to provide an acceptable release of interest or proof of ownership for the vehicle or major component parts as described above an inspection will be completed for ownership-in-doubt purposes as described in RCW 46.12.680 and WAC 308-56A-210. Ownership-in-doubt means applying for a three year registration without title; after three years a Washington title can be requested. Please refer to the WSP website ( http://www.wsp.wa.gov/traveler/vinspect.htm ) for further information or call your local VIN Officer if you have any questions and to set up an appointment for inspection.
|