Just like any other car or truck in the state of Texas, custom vehicles and antiques must be properly registered. Registering a newer everyday car certainly differs from the process to register an antique or custom car.
LETS DEFINE ANTIQUE AND CUSTOM BUILT VEHICLES
According to Texas state law a vehicle will be considered an antique if the body, frame and engine are at least 25 years old.
Texas considers a custom or assembled vehicle as a motorized vehicle of any kind that has been reconstructed using a body, frame and a motor. The difference is that it cannot resemble a known brand. When registering this type of motor vehicle, Texas will register the vehicle with the make as “Assembled.” The year of the car will be decided by the year of the body used in the custom build. There is one more category for custom cars which are registered as a”Replica”. These motor vehicles are defined as using a manufactured prefabricated body that resembles a known brand.
REGISTERING YOUR ANTIQUE OR CUSTOM VEHICLE IN TEXAS
The first step will be to take a trip to your local county tax office to begin the registration process.
Make sure you bring the following things with you:
- A notarized Title application. If you are attempting to get a title for a new custom or rebuilt motor vehicle you are going to need the Title application.
- The Certificate of Title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin. This is for any custom, rebuilt or antique vehicles that have already been titled.
- The Bill of Sale showing proof that you own the vehicle and all of the parts/components used in the vehicle.
- A completed Builder’s Affidavit if you are registering a for custom or rebuilt vehicle.
- If a motor, frame or body has been changed in an existing vehicle it has to be recorded by correcting the Title certificate.
- Pencil tracings of the frame, body and motor numbers will be required for all rebuilt vehicles.
- The VTR-68-N form properly filled out for reassigned vehicle identification number.
- An accurate weight certificate for the vehicle being registered.
- Proof of financial responsibility for yourself and the vehicle
- You will also need to bring at least one clear photo of the vehicle you will be registering.
- A completed application for VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) if the vehicle being registered is located outside of Texas.
- Lastly you are going to need to bring in an Inspection report. This report certifies that the vehicle meets or exceeds the safety regulations to drive on Texas roads. After a thorough inspection from a Department of Safety inspection station you will receive this report. Rebuilt and custom vehicles will need this inspection report, however depending on the age of the car, some parts do not have to be inspected unless the original parts have been retained.
ASSOCIATED FEES WITH REGISTERING A CUSTOM OR ANTIQUE VEHICLE
Titling fees will be required when registering a custom or antique vehicle. You will be able to pay this fee with cash, check, money order or credit cards. Be aware that a $1 processing fee is assessed to all payments via credit card.
RENEWING THE REGISTRATION FOR AN ANTIQUE OR CUSTOM MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION
The expiration date for the registration of your custom or antique vehicle will be clearly stated on its current registration. To renew the registration is fairly straight forward since you have already registered it in the state of Texas. You will only need to follow the guidelines of registering your custom or antique vehicle that normal everyday cars need to follow. The registration process is the same as a regular motor vehicle.
Your custom-built assembled or antique vehicle’s registration will clearly indicate when it will expire. The process for renewing the registration on a custom or antique vehicle is the same as renewing the registration on a regular motor vehicle.
For any additional information or help with registering an antique or custom-built motor vehicle be sure to contact the DMV to get the most up to date information and guidelines.