Lost Titles and Vehicle Registration question.

[SpookyDad]

I just got back from the Texas DOT office. According to the lady there, I need to fill out a number of forms. The things I need to do are:

1. Contact the local Sherrif's auto theft division and get them to verify the serial number on the frame.
2. Contact a local Insurance appraisor for a statement of value.
3. Buy a surity bond.
4. Complete a statement of fact form.
5. Complete an application for a lost title.

Does ths seem excessive?

Neil

[John V Cliche]

Registration requirements vary from state to state
Your list seems excessive to me ,but I live in Maine ( no titles needed after 13 yrs)( affadavit required for an "antique" plate that's all ) proof of insurance is mandatory however.
Maybe some users from your state of Texas will chime in with their experiences


John

[Hammerhead]

Hi Spookydad,
I had a similiar problem not having a title. My truck was a "European Return" I purchased from Kevin Kronlund. All I had was a "Bill of Sale" and when I went to the Missouri DOT Liscense Bureau they also gave me a hard time. They said it could done but was going to be difficult and time consuming.

In Military Vehicles Magazines there is a company called Broadway Title Company, (800) 464-3222. Several members of our MVPA Affiliate had used them in the past. I contacted them, forwarded the requested paperwork and they were able to supply a replacement title very quickly. This I took back to the DOT and was able to quickly get a title transfer painlessly. I highly recommend their service for your situation.

Good luck on everything.

[SpookyDad]

Well I am on my way as far as the paperwork goes.
It took some fast talking but I have my insurance card.
The police department told me to apply for a bonded title.
My regular insurance agent sold me a surety bond for $100.
All I need now is an appraisal.
I should have waited on the bond because TXDOT needs to set the amount at 1.5 times the appraisal value not the purchase price.
I am hoping I can get the bond amount adjusted up a few K

Neil

[armydriver]

There used to be a guy in Texas, I lost his name and phone number, that would get you a title on an antique re=build. I got his name from the county clerk in Guadalupe County. but that was several years ago.
Good luck on your quest.

[SpookyDad]

I am stalled again. It is the appraisal that is holding me up. According to the form, I can get a dealer in that particular brand/model or a licensed insurance adjuster or a licensed appraiser to do it.

The GMC dealership laughed at me.
My own insurance company won't touch it.
The various appraisal companies all had variations on the same story. They did appraisals for insurance, but not for TXDOT because they weren't licensed.

I feel like a dog chasing it's tail.

I may have to break down and send off $325 to Broadway Title Company.

Neil

[Hammerhead]

Hi Neil,
I'm sorry you're having trouble with the TX DOT. Beaurecrats can only do the simplest tasks. Anything requiring thinking outside the box is beyond them because it's easier from them to say no and get you out of their line.
Broadway Title Co. made life very easy for me. When I went with my Bill of Sale for a 1944 truck("how old?") they looked at me as if I had two heads. With the title from Broadway it was a simple transfer and i was in and out in ten minutes. The costs is a bite but it will save you alot of aggravation and frustration!

[Thundercat97]

It will be money well spent with reduced aggravation from the DOT peanut gallery.

[Colin Britton]

Man, I'm glad my dealings with NCDOT were not like that, this is what I had to do to get my truck titles.

1. Bills of sale
2. Contact the DOT inspectors and set a appointment to some to the house and look at the truck, verify serial numbers on data tag and frame.
3. pay a $25.00 surity bond I got next door to the NCDMV at the insurace company.
4. Insurance policy on vehicle

The inspectors came to the house, asked "Is this the truck"? they seemed suprized it was a complete vehicle and were shocked when she fired right up and all the lights and horn worked. Looked at the bills of sale, verified the serial numbers. And in 40 minutes I had my paper work I needed to title and register my CCKW.
(And that includes the time chatting about the truck, and the fact it was from Norway, where do you find parts? And taking both inspectors around the block for a ride! 1 hour later my title paperwork was submitted and I was issued a temp steel "weighted plate till my "Horseless Carrage" tags came in the mail.
Done in less than a week.

[SpookyDad]

GRRR My bond alone cost me $100!

Neil

[Canadian Gunner]

The process doesn't get any easier when you cross borders!

My local MOT (Ministry of Transport) office is used to me and my bizarre stuff and, more importantly, because it is a contractor in a small town, they don't have the bureaucratic mindset. They are flexible and will do their damndest to help... nonetheless, I have frequently had to resort to a statutory declaration ($50 to $100 in a lawyer's pocket) to resurrect some beast that was dragged from the woods, stored for many years and then restored and presented for licencing.

Harder yet are things that came direct from the military as you require a form from the feds saying it was indeed sold to you (or some previous owner who didn't register it- not unusual with milveh bought and used on farms or in the backwoods as timber lorries). Again, a stat dec usually meets the need.

Years ago I got a hard time (not from my local guys) over the fact that my M38A1 data plate was screwed to the dash... I pointed out that the plate was actually rivetted to the larger plate that holds all the small ones and IT was screwed to the dash! The guy wouldn't buy it! Whipped over to Canadian Tire (sorta like JC Whitney) and bougyht a cheap pop rivetter, right in front of him I replaced the screws with rivets and he accepted that. As soon as I got home I replaced the rivets with the original screws!

Keep it simple, throw money at the problem and get a clear titile 'cause you don't want your ownership and licence challenged by a road side inspector some day down the pipe...

Cheers! Mike

[SpookyDad]

I grew up in Canada. There is nothing as good as Canadian Tire! Or Tim Hortons!

Neil

[SpookyDad]

I have a License plate and a title!!!! All it took was:

A checklist from the previous clerk showing EXACTLY what I needed.
The title application form.
A notorized bill of sale.
Confirmation from the Missouri DOT that no title existed under my number.
A reissued TxDot rejection letter.
A statement of physical inspection.
A photocopy of the TXDot rules showing that prior to 1955 the engine block number is the VIN number.
Proof of insurance.
A reissued bond.
A pencil rubbing of the engine serial number.
Photos of said serial number.
Photos of the truck.
A former military vehicle plate application form. (The clerk didn't even know these existed)
Payment of sales tax and plate fees.

Neil

[oldreliable9_47]

All I needed was ..

1. a quick inspection and paperwork by the local deputy sheriff

2. submit a form and deputy paperwork at the court house small claims for the judge to verify not stolen (takes 3 days)..I DID NOT EVEN HAVE A BILL OF SALE

3. take a picture of the hood #'s (BMV keeps this on file and serves as License plate)

4.take above form and picture and proof of insurance to BMV and get a registration. NO COST LIFETIME REGISTRATION.


sure is good to live in INDIANA....