CA DMV and CHP VIN check Catch-22

[Kev_XR]

Buying a bike without a title... #2.

I purchased an old motorcycle with a bill of sale and no title, took it to the DMV and paid the fees. The people at the DMV said they could run the VIN, so I went home and hauled the bike back there. They checkd the VIN and I thought everything was done. A week later, I get all of my paperwork back in the mail. I spent an extra hour hauling my bike to the DMV.

I need to go have the VIN run by the CHP.

I can only get the VIN run by the CHP in my county.

The one CHP office in my county is so backlogged, they will not accept appointments.

The last time I did this routine, it took 2 weeks to get the appointment, 5 minutes for the officer to read the number on the frame and motor. 2 minutes to get the numbers returned.

Can I have any CHP officer on patrol check the VIN? There is a weigh station near my house. Maybe I'll drive up and play stupid... Can ya run the VIN?

I called the DMV and got someone that can barely speak English. I hope they were in India, but probably the person is in Sacramento. I told the person on the phone the CHP was so booked up, they are not even taking appointments for September. The reply was, "That service is very popular."

I don't want to work on this bike for the next month, just to find it can't be registered. The guy who sold it to me had the local police run the VIN. No problems, but I have to do this song and dance.

[velosapiens]

can you not just go to the chp office and hang out til someone can do it? i had to do that for a fixit ticket several years ago. just drove down there and walked in and a guy came right out and signed off. might help if ya' bring donuts.

[N6VMO]

I feel for ya man....

I have had my share of problems registering out of state OHVs.

The only person that the DMV in Lompoc has to read VINs is the CHP, and he/she has to be a certified VIN Verifier. They only verify VIN once a week.

One time, the VIN Verifier was on vacation, and no one in the CHP office was certified to perform a VIN verification. So I had to wait until the verifier got back and made his next appearance at the DMV office.

[Kev_XR]

It's rediculous. The VIN is on the frame headset and the number on the motor is very easy to read.

Last year, I took a bike to the CHP to verify, then the DMV wanted to verify it too. I'm glad I went right from the CHP to the DMV.

I think I'll use Velo's tatic.

[barefootbob]

Your tax money at work.

I just regesterd a out of state bike and I did not need a chp to read and fill out the vin form.I had a local police officer do it no problems.

[Beyond The Pale]

Last year I bought an 80 CM400 that was sitting for 20+ years. It was last registered in 1984. I only got a bill of sale. After I got the bike to run, I went to AAA and they did the VIN verification. I had not yet paid for insurance yet so I did not complete the registration. Put the bike on my existing Progressive policy and went back. They gave me a new plate and stickers. Overall a painless process. Those AAA membership $$$ are well worth it.

I don't get why they make you go to the CHP. All they do is look at the VIN and write it on the form.

[damone]

Your tax money at work.

I just regesterd a out of state bike and I did not need a chp to read and fill out the vin form.I had a local police officer do it no problems.

Yah, but the locals in them thar hills are a bit wacked, eh?

[BAJAHUSKYS]

Any CHP office should be able to do this. I had to do this with an older Kawaski. No word from DMV about appointments. Play stupid and just show up or try another CHP office.

[velosapiens]

I had a local police officer do it no problems.

this is a good point. find out if any peace officer can do it, or if it HAS to be chp.

here in the idaho reich the local sherrif's substation will send someone out to my house with the forms to do the vin verification. which reminds me i need to call them and have them come out so i can register my 2 trailers and truck here (the bikes are already reg'd).

[Danger Dave]

A Vin verification and a CHP inspection can be two different things. A CHP officer can do both, although many other people can do a vin verification (Reg 343). Which one do you actually need?

[Kev_XR]

On the form...

Referred to California Highway Patrol for Inspection. If this is a revived total loss vehicle, a California Highway Patrol Inspection Certificate CHP97C is required before the application can be completed.

Need cert of CNO Completed.

Looks like it needs to go through a full vehicle inspection. It's pretty much stripped down to the basics.

[Jer3577]

Whatever you do don't use www.vinverification.com, I was given the run around and was told it would be $35 then it mysteriously changed to $95! The guy would never answer his phone or return calls but would send me a random text message. The state gives you 10 days to register your vehicle after you bring it into the state and this guy gave me the run around so I would need it done at the last minute so I would pay the $95!!!!

[hillclimbguy]

It seems like this situation is such a problem. The state is crying for money, and i dont have a problem paying for fees that are do. But we have to go through so much to get stuff done. Its like holding the carrot in front of the horse!

[amsegura]

Too bad AAA doesnt register dirtbikes as it would save allot of time. Since your bike is a acutal motorcycle they were able to do it all there.

Last year I bought an 80 CM400 that was sitting for 20+ years. It was last registered in 1984. I only got a bill of sale. After I got the bike to run, I went to AAA and they did the VIN verification. I had not yet paid for insurance yet so I did not complete the registration. Put the bike on my existing Progressive policy and went back. They gave me a new plate and stickers. Overall a painless process. Those AAA membership $$$ are well worth it.

I don't get why they make you go to the CHP. All they do is look at the VIN and write it on the form.

[HAPPYTRAILSINC]

I second aaa! Well worth the cost of membership!

They have saved my ass many times!!!

Took my bike there for vin check, 15 minutes later i was out the door!!

Happytrails

scott

[bobc1]

AAA will not deal with OHV's.

[chris142]

There are businesses that can do vin verifications instead of the DMV. Lady here charges $35..........Much faster and less stressful than dealing with the DMV or CHP.

[SacTown Old Dude]

I was just told by my local AAA office that they do not do out of state title transfers. 

ST O.D.

[Truman Sparks]

Beaumont CHP  Tuesday thru Thursday after 12 no appointment needed.

[Oil Baron]

When I bought my first bike, the dealer took an impression of the VIN off the frame by rubbing it with a pencil and then sticking a piece of clear tape to the VIN.  He then stuck the tape onto a piece of paper and the whole thing was done through the mail.

 

Maybe someone at DMV would accept the old school method.  Cost of a stamp.

 

Also, I don't see how they can restrict you to your county.  Any CHP in CA should work for this.  

Edited March 8, 2015 by Baja Rambler