South Bay DMV recommendations (San Jose area)?

[Sean-og]

I had been planning on going to the Santa Clara DMV on 2007 Jan. 02, but thought I'd ask here for advice first. Has anyone gone through SB100 at one of the following DMV offices, and if so, were they familiar with the process?

Santa Clara office on Flora Vista Ave.
San Jose office on Alma Ave.
Los Gatos office on N. Santa Cruz Ave.

[New2 7's]

I went through the process in the Los Angeles/Southern California area.
Some of the agents at the DMV are not very familiar with the process and you may need to ask for a shift supervisor. Once the process starts they have to make a call to their central office to obtain the numbers, so be ready to sit and wait for several hours as they call.
My advise from personal experience, be there as soon as the doors open and bring a book to read, dont leave the office until you get your number.

[Doug Liedblad]

Also bring information that shows this is a kit car. A Caterham brochure, one of the Sevens books showing them in bits, your own build photos etc.

There have been rumors that the DMV has been told that the Caterham is a limited production car hence will not qualify as a kit in 2007 in CA.

Perhaps true in the UK but in the US it is only a kit.

You might ask someone at the DMV well in advance of January 2nd to confirm or deny this rumor.

This is based on third hand information so may be completely inaccuracte.

I would ask the question soon just in case.

Please post anything you can find out.

Doug

[Rod]

Santa Clara DMV

Sean,

I used that very same DMV to get my car registered, and I posted a rant about in on this site under SB00 registration. I was the first one to use this DMV for the SB100 process. It has to have gotten better.

Rod

[venom7]

Here is my two cents; go into the DMV often to ask questions, make friends with the manager, spend time with them.
When I did mine last year it saved me waiting another year. He went out of his way to point things out and actually sat on the phone for me and the Cobra guys when the computer system went down on Jan. 3rd. My case was a little different as I was registering and out of country car as well.

[Elv15]

Sean,

I used the DMV on Flora Vista. They seemed to understand the SB100 process. I did not have any trouble with them.

It is a good idea to go there ahead of time and ask questions about the process - the process had changed between the time that I received my SB100 number and the time my car was completed and ready to register!

[Sean-og]

Thanks to all. I'll go to the Santa Clara office. As it turns out, I am told the guy who used to drive the catering truck ("roach coach") that stops at my work place now works in the Santa Clara DMV office... what does that tell you? :eek: I suppose I'll stop in and chat sometime in the next week.

I've e-mailed Magnus about updating the SB100 registration doc on these pages. I've offered to update it myself, and submit to him for review after I've gone through the process myself. Not too many changes, but the process has changed since it was written.

Bloody bleedin' cheers! (whatever THAT means?) :)

[Sean-og]

Homework complete - bring on the test

Okay, I have all my receipts for chassis, engine, and gearbox, a completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343), a completed Statement of Construction (REG 5036), and my checkbook. I have been to the Santa Clara DMV twice in the past few weeks to double-check (literally) that I'm ready to go when the doors open at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 2nd.

I specifically asked if the DMV currently cosiders a Caterham car to be a "Specially Constructed Vehicle", pointing out that a rumor has been circulating that they had somehow become convinced that it is not. I then stood alone at window 11 for over half an hour while the clerk referenced notebooks and letters in multiple locations and spoke with numerous people emerging from the back offices and ultimately on the phone (Sacramento? I'll never know). She finally returned, with another unidentified employee standing a good distance behind her and away from the counter, to explain that yes, a new Caterham kit is viewed by them as a SPCNS-eligible kit car. That was the answer to the question pertaining to my circumstances, and I had been there long enough, so I did not ask any further questions regarding one that is not being built from new.

[moosetestbestanden]

I had to have a "certificate of origin", provided by CC (because Will didn't). You don't specifically mention having one.

I didn't have it on my 1st visit but was assigned a number anyway and given the admonition that I'd have to post a bond (or something like that) in order to complete the process. That went away after I turned up w/ the c of o on a subsequent visit.

Try to get DMV to use the same VIN number that CC assigned to the car. I got lucky that way, even though I was told that the CC format wasn't "accepted" by the DMV computer. That way, the CC VIN plate that you should have (mine came unattached - I located it by the clutch / brake M.C.s) will match w/ what DMV assigns. The VIN should also be stamped on the frame somewhere around the engine bay.

Getting the number is the hardest part. The rest is relatively straightforward, if time consuming. I found the visit to the cop shop one of the most difficult things to arrange. The CHP guy who did my car was very cool about locating the vin plate in a location that doesn't show. He located it on the bulkhead on the driver's side.

One other thing...

Good Luck:D

[Doug Liedblad]

The Caterham Chassis number on my car is on the outside lower edge of the pedal box.

The CHP had no issues using it as my VIN number. They were only concerned that it was unique.

If they cannot use yours they will assign one.

I too had to have either a certificate of origin (the orignal not a copy) and proof that I built or bought eveything else. An invoice from the dealer was all I needed.

They keep the certificate of origin.

I got my number the first year they were available and things may have changed since. They may have been a bit loose the first year as no one had done this before.

CHP... "kind of looks like a coffin." Yes, it does says I.

Doug

[Sean-og]

Yes, I have the MSO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin), I simply forgot to list it earlier. Thanks to all for the advice.

[Sean-og]

If anybody wants advice for next year, go to the Santa Clara office! They were very organized, knowledgeable, and efficient (though some of the applicants may not have been). Running later than I had planned, I got in line at 7:35, with about 15 people ahead of me, inside DMV just after 8:00, and out before 8:30 - done! Well, with the first step anyway...

If you went in the week between Christmas and New Year's Day, they pre-did whatever it is they do in their computers, so this morning they just had to log in, locate your file, and then call and get the numbers while you wrote your check.

It sure is a lot easier than it used to be, eh? Of course, I have you guys to thank for schoolin' me ahead of time - THANKS!

[Elv15]

Great news! That does make for a Happy New Year! :D

[Roll a 7]

Congratulations to any that got their SB 100 numbers today!!! We are always looking for more 7s to play with us....

It's a great way to start the new year. Don't be surprised if it changes how your time is spent even more than you expected.

Roger L, did you manage to get yours?

[moosetestbestanden]

Congrats! The worst part is over, believe me. The rest is a cake walk, as long as you remember to pay proper (required?) deference to the chippys. As I mentioned, my guy was very cool about the whole thing coz I played it by the numbers and showed adequate candor & respect.

See ya on track, next NorCal tow (coming this year, likely THill, to be sure).