DMV Rip Off

[Coyote]

Tax, tag and title really means rip off, rip off and raped. Because my GT550 has not been tagged or registered since 2006, they expect ME to pay penalties for each year that was missed. As of yesterday, the price for the 3 T's was $408. I refuse to pay that kind of $$ for an ancient bike that barely cost more than that to buy.
Anyone want to buy a 76 GT550? it's 80% complete. Freshly powder coated frame and a new top end. Approx. $1600 invested with boxes of new parts. Make offer

[yeadon_m]

Were you the registered keeper from 2006 to present?

If not, its a stupid law. How can you be now responsible for others civil offences made when the bike wasn't yours?

If you were, then it may be correct though darn harsh.

As of quite recently, here in UK you have to pay 'road tax' even on a bike in bits once you own it, unless instead you declare it 'SORN'd'. IE fill out a 'statutory off road notice'. It then cannot be put on the public road unless the SORN is lifted (free and easy to do). I find it all such a drag that I just pay the road fund all year round even though I'm unlikely to use some of the bikes through the winter. More hassle than the £ saving is worth. Bastards.

Mike

[tz375]

I have heard of similar horror stories in California, so I would guess that people "buy" their bikes from a buddy in another state so there are no late fees due in the home state.

That still means two sets of sales tax in most states, but it should be possible to reduce that cost without breaking the law.

[Alan H]

My 550 that I registered here this year was originally from the US and possibly wasn't titled etc. since the 70s.
If anyone comes asking for 40 years back money, they will be gently told to go and fornicate.

[jabcb]

Every state has its own set of screwy laws.

Pennsylvania doesn't care how long its been since it had a valid tag.

But you can't sell the bike to someone in Pennsylvania because the state doesn't allow third party sales.
As a private individual, you can only sell a bike if the title is in your name.
Alternatively, you could sell the bike to a licensed dealer, who could then sell the bike to someone in Pennsylvania.


I expect that the GT550 will be really nice when you're finished.
Just look at the 3T's as another bump along the way toward having completed another satisfying restoration.

[bill in okc]

Was this an Oklahoma bike? My 550 came from another state so maybe that got rid of the back taxes? My H1 did not have a title so it cost some to get that straightened out but it was still cheaper than all of those years of back taxes.

[Tripleking]

Yes and no. If it is a PA title, the owner whose signature is on the documents must be present. However, for an out of state bike, this is not the case. I bought bikes last registered in NJ and NY with documents signed by owners other than the ones from which I purchased the bikes. Since it is out of state, PA does not expect the owner to travel. Also, NJ and NY are not notary states. It is easy. Got my 71 T250 from NY and my 70 CB450 from signed by an NJ owner. Neither sellers were the owners who signed.

Every state has its own set of screwy laws.

Pennsylvania doesn't care how long its been since it had a valid tag.

But you can't sell the bike to someone in Pennsylvania because the state doesn't allow third party sales.
As a private individual, you can only sell a bike if the title is in your name.
Alternatively, you could sell the bike to a licensed dealer, who could then sell the bike to someone in Pennsylvania.


I expect that the GT550 will be really nice when you're finished.
Just look at the 3T's as another bump along the way toward having completed another satisfying restoration.

[Coyote]

Was this an Oklahoma bike?

Yeah Bill. Less than 2 miles from home. I bought a Buffalo from Kansas that had no title. All I had was a notarized bill of sale. I could have gotten a title with that bill of sale had it been an Oklahoma bike. Because it came from out of state I was denied a title. Couldn't do anything or pull any strings to change that. I finally used the Staab Agency in Maine. Sent them the required stuff and receiveda Maine registration and plates good for a year. I took the registration , presented it to the DMV and asked for a title. They denied me at first until I reminded them that Maine does not issue titles for anything over 15 years old. They looked that up to be sure and I was issued an Oklahoma title in my name.
This was several years ago. Even then the Maine agency got $140 and the Oklahoma DMV got $170 before it all was finalized.
Sill, why should I have to pay 8 years worth of penalties? It's not MY fault that the seller didn't keep the tag up to date. I mean the bike just sat in a garage with 8 years worth of junk piled on top of it. It's not like I wore out their crappy assed roads.

[bill in okc]

My GT550 came from Kansas and yes, no title for me. I ended up buying a frame from New Jersey with a title and building the bike on that. The H1 came from a local dealer so I guess they have options that mere mortals don't have - still took 6-7 months to get the title.

[datsunrides]

California can go either way depending on the branch you go to and the mood of the clerk. Here, after 7 years it goes off record and you just register it as you would a new bike. No back fees but you do need a VIN verification (free) and a brake and light cert (usually $30 each). I have had luck using a "statement of fact" form to get back fees either removed or reduced. Sometimes need to visit different branches to get the desired results.