CA DMV Registration Info

Current California Dept. of Motor Vehicles Information, Statements, & Forms Regarding On-Road Registration:

Important New Info as of August 20, 2006 !

8/20/2006- As many Californians are interested in Dual Sporting their off-road motorcycles, they are continually confronted by legislative obstacles when attempting to go through the process of getting a license plate. The current regulations (which actually date back to around 1978) had been tightened , then relaxed regarding enforcement. Some people feel they are legitimately plated, others may have just slipped through the cracks. However, this comes as the most recent bad news for both those wishing to convert, as well as those who have already endured the process, and received a license plate. If you do receive one of the letters referenced below, please send me an e-mail and let me know, so I can post any additional info that might be helpful to others! READ BELOW:

Message from Dave Pickett, the President and Legislative Action Officer of AMA District 36

8/17/2006

    " Yesterday, I received information important to ALL of those that have made the conversion since February 1, 2004.
CARB [California Air Resources Board] in conjunction with the DMV, has submitted 1,300 names and registration documents for illegal conversions.
      Owners with converted bikes will be notified that these vehicles are illegal, and the street legal plates and registrations will be suspended immediately.
       As these vehicles do not meet emission regulations for road operation, CARB has clamped down on these non-compliant vehicles, and owners will be notified. It will be up to the owner of these vehicle to register their bikes under current regulation requirements of Red, Orange, or Green Sticker status to proper registration format. What I have learned is that vehicles converting prior to this date, will be "Grandfathered" and all to remain as registered. Future registration of conversions can only be made on vehicles manufactured from 1977 and back. 1978 [with out certified "road" engines] and newer models will not be allowed to be converted.
       At this time, this is what I know. I would guess that owners will be notified by DMV, CARB, or both. I will try to post more as I get additional information.
       A question was raised about purchased units that were installed with a conversion kit from a dealer at time of sale. I have been told that these too are illegal. A gray area exists on "out of state" converted bikes. I will advise more as information comes forth.
       I am checking into the CHP Form 888 that issues the guidelines and requirements to meet California street legal requirements, but understand that this form has now been "suspended." This action has taken place starting with CARB, with DMV doing the clean up work. I have also heard that if you have one of these vehicles, and are stopped by a peace officer, they will confiscate your license plate.
      All of this is verbal right now, but the source is reliable. Look for Press Releases shortly from ORBA (Off Road Business Association).
     CLORV members are asking the MIC (Motorcycle Industry Council) for a statement on this. News will be coming out on this in the coming weeks.
     Sorry to be the delivery source for this bad news. As OHV recreation continues to grow even bigger, more anti-OHV organizations are doing what they can in a methodical, paced way to eradicate OHV as we know it.

Political: VOTE! Remember the leadership in governing agencies are appointed by the elected majority leadership in our state. The way to change things is by getting involved, get educated on the candidates, get educated on the issues, and VOTE. Yes, your vote does matter.
See www.CLORV.org for more information on pro OHV or candidates that have responded to the CLORV OHV questionaire..OHV voter education is out there, so get informed. The current "system" is not working......................

Dave Pickett LAO "

Links:

Official Website of the California DMV

Check here for the most accurate and up-to-date info available. Or given the track record of the California DMV, maybe that's a contradiction!

California Motorcycle Handbook 2008 (pdf)

This booklet supplements the California Driver Handbook concerning traffic laws, safedriving rules, and driver licenses as they pertain to motorcycles.

Handbook Of Registration Procedures, Off Highway Vehicles Chapter 13 (pdf)

This publication contains the regulations for both off-road and on-road motorcycles and the requirements for conversion.

Off Highway Motorcycle Conversions- VIN 2003-11 (pdf)

This is the DMV publication (memo) that went out to all CA DMV offices regarding the enforcement of the current registration requirements. It identifies what is required to convert an off-road motorcycle to an on-road vehicle. THIS IS THE MEMO/INFO EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT!

It is the most recent obstacle to the registration process, and is why many people say you can no longer convert your bike to on-road registration. This enforcement of these requirements is what stops many bikes from being license plated. However, there are still many bikes that manage to slip through the crack in one way or another.

Application for Title or Registration Form- Reg 343 (pdf)

This form is to apply for a new title and registration. Because the class of your bike will be changed, you will receive both a new reg AND a new title (pink slip). The back of this form has a VIN verification section and a smog verification section. This back page must be filled out and signed by either the DMV, CHP, or possibly any authorized law enforcement person. A possible problem you may run into is that the smog verification section identifies which smog requirements that your 450X meets. The smog sticker on your bike says it meets the CA smog requirement for "Off-road" use. To get a license plate, your bike technically needs to meet the "On-road" smog requirement. This is the point that may or may not be overlooked by either the person inspecting your bike or the person processing your paperwork. This is also the point that may determine if you do or do not get plated.

Statement of Facts Form- Reg 256 (pdf)

Blank form, pages 1 & 2. This is another required form to be completed, front and back. Bring this form to the DMV filled out in duplicate. One copy will have your Light Inspection info (in section J) checked off and signed by whoever does your Light Inspection (dealer, CHP, DMV...). The other copy will have a statement by you (in section J), that says: " I understand that dual registration is required on a permanent basis, and that the renewal will be for both registrations, off-highway and on-highway". This second copy is only required if you choose to dual-register your bike.

Statement of Facts Form- Reg 256 page 2 (pdf)

This is only page 2 of the Statement of Facts form already filled out in section "J" for your light inspection to be verified and signed off by either your dealer, CHP, DMV, or possibly any authorized law enforcement person.

What you should have in your hand when you enter the DMV:

1) Your Vehicle Title

2) Current Registration

3) Proof of Insurance for your bike (at least "Liability" coverage)

4) Two copies (filled out) of Reg 256, one with the light inspection info, the other with the dual registration statement.

5) Two copies (filled out) of Reg 343, one with the back filled out & signed off by CHP, law enforcement, etc, if you can get it done in advance. The other copy is a spare backup.

6) Cash or checkbook for paying Reg Fees. I have heard some DMV locations may be accepting plastic soon.

7) Be sure all the forms you fill out have the same, correct, and consistent information on them. Meaning same name and address, VIN number, date of purchase, present mileage, etc. Or they'll have you filling everything out again (I speak from experience).

GOOD LUCK!!