Experience with Capitola DMV?

[Got the Bug]

Does anyone have any experience taking a Cobra through the registration process at the Capitola DMV? My other choice is the Santa Clara office, since it's close to where I work.

Just hoping to find (I know it's a crapshoot) an office that understands the initial registration requirements to prepare for SB100.

Thanks,

Doug

[Dangerous Doug]

No experience, but living in Scotts Valley, it's hard to imagine Santa Cruz as a good place to get a Cobra registered without the DMV personnel's personal predjudice gettting in the way.

I'm planning on going to Santa Clara, when I'm ready.

At Baji's I met a guy with a Roush powered SPF that registered in Gilroy---a nice drive over 152 from Santa Cruz.

Dangerous Doug

[Got the Bug]

Thanks Doug. There's always exceptions, but I've heard that the Santa Clara office is pretty consistent and well organized on SB100 day (i.e. handle the applicants as a group, dedicated DMV person calls Sacramento, etc.).

I'll probably start with the Santa Clara office.

[Veloce]

Hi Doug,
I started the registration process last year about this time.

I went in to the Walnut Creek DMV office and told them I wanted to register my specially constructed vehicle on Jan. 2nd of this year but I wanted to be able to drive it around so that I could do the brake and Light inspectoin as well as any needed trips to prepare the car for legal registration (allignment, etc.).
I paid the fee based upon all the receipts that I had and they gave me a 90 day temp permit. This got me through the summer and most of the fall driving around legally.

On Jan 2nd, I took everything back to DMV for my SB100 ordeal.
They gave me another 90 day temp permit.

After getting that, it was off to the CHP and then BAR referree and back to DMV for plates.

This seems to work very well because the people make sure that you have all the proper forms and have filled them out properly.

This is much better done on a nice summer day rather than sitting there on Jan 2nd, sweating out the number lottery.

Good Luck and welcome aboard.

Jim

[gene giambona]

Doug,

I visited at least four different DMV offices during my SB100 reg process a few years ago (I had to get several extensions). My initial visit started at the Daly City branch and they got me my SB 100 number, but I discovered they had given me the incorrect paperwork to fill out once I visited the Santa Clara office.

Start and stay with the Santa Clara office....they knew the most about SB 100.

[Got the Bug]

Thanks for the info Gene! I'm planning on visiting Santa Clara DMV next week. I printed reams of posts from CC regarding the registration and SB 100 process and I think I've got all of the necessary forms to start my registration "journey."

Doug

[Got the Bug]

I visited the Santa Clara DMV yesterday. After getting the "what planet are you from ?" stare, the DMV rep chased down a supervisor for assistance.

The supervisor seemed to know what she was doing. I paid my fees and got a TOP that's good through August .

I'm going to make a run up to Reno on Thursday to test drive my car. If all goes according to plan, I'm going to take delivery of SPF 2613 this weekend .

Look forward to attending a breakfast meet-up soon!

Doug

[Tom Howland]

Doug,
Let me know when you're going to a breakfast and I'll follow you over. I might even get Kris to go with his black SPF-402.

[gene giambona]

Doug,

Congrats on your TOP! I'm glad you got one of the supervisors involved to help. Sometimes the front line gets folks who have never heard of SB100before.

Cheers,
Gene

[Got the Bug]

Gene - Thanks! Can't wait to take the car out for a test drive in Reno tomorrow.

Tom - I’ll definitely give you a heads-up when I can make it over the hill to breakfast.

[ByronRACE]

I'd strongly recommend the BAR office at Evergreen college for the emissions stuff. They were scared of my car, wanted me to drive it in/out, and just wanted it to go away more than anything else. Speedy.

I'd also highly recommend the San Jose CHP office for the VIN Verification. The guy that does the VIN verification is a Ford fan, and Shelby Club member.

As far as the DMV...I dealt with two. Santa Theresa and Los Gatos. Both were horrific, uneducated about SB100, and extremely lazy. The dial-a-thon on Jan 1 (the second time around) took place at the Los Gatos office at the rate of one attempt every 5 minutes or so...with 20 minute lapses here and there. No urgency what so ever, no care that the numbers were disappearing, not their problem...this was dealt with as a complete hassle to them, with no regard to the half dozen hopefuls that camped there since dark-30 to get a number. And, I should also mention, I had spoken with the manager at this DMV office in advance regarding the game plan for Jan 1 and was assured they were "ready to make every effort to secure a number in a timely fashion". At just before close, I got one of the last numbers issued. Not everyone there that day was so lucky.

All I can say is try to find a DMV office that will play ball; get there early; and pack a lunch.

Byron

[gene giambona]

Doug,

Byron hit the nail right on the head. I too visited the Evergreen College BAR station and the Highway Patrol office in San Jose. I had the same officer sign off on my VIN and paperwork.........CHP visit was smooth, but the BAR visit was a day I'll never forget.

The computers shut down just moments before my arrival (my appointment was booked well in advance to get a spot). I ended up leaving very frustrated and a few hours later I got a surprise call the system was up and running. I got my paperwork that day...but nearly ran out of gas during the test and then my luck truly ran out .....I got stuck in the Evergreen parking lot with no fuel (gas gauge not calibrated properly so I had an improper reading). Luckily, I had a small 1.5 gallon fuel container in the trunk so I hoofed it nearly 2 miles each way to the nearest gas station in 90 degree heat. I got the car running and drove it to the gas station .....filling the tank took over 45 min. We modified the filler neck vent during the build and as a result...the fuel pump nozzle would shut off every time I squeezed it. I'm still haunted by the sound.... psst.click..psst.click..psst click.. I can't imagine how many times I heard it over and over.

BOY, WHAT AN ORDEAL! Was it worth it???? heck ya what a relief it was to get the SB100 hurdle completed.

Gene

[tc_sj]

I am too scare of the SB100 painful process, that's the reason why I deciced to buy a used (2003 SPF) and have fun with it right away

Good Luck to Got The Bug

Regards

[ELGEE]

I used the Los Gatos DMV office, the Evergreen BAR station, and the CHP
office on Junction in San Jose- they were all great.

[Got the Bug]

Thanks for tip regarding the CHP on Junction in SJ. The Santa Clara DMV didn't give me a number to call. Can I just call the SJ CHP directly to make an appt.?

[Bluedog]

Having just done this myself, I would recommend the Santa Clara DMV and the CHP office in San Jose on Junction. You want Officer Rasconi, he owns a 67 Shelby Mustang and is a big fan of Ford! Really a nice guy.

[Got the Bug]

Bluedog,

Thanks for the info. Did you call the SJ CHP office directly to schedule an appointment? How long did you need to wait get your appt.?

My TOP is good thru August. I'm trying to time it so that my CHP appt. is in September and then go to the DMV and ask for another TOP.

Doug

[Bluedog]

It was really easy to get a CHP appointment. It only took about two weeks. He only works in the SJ office on Tuedays and Thursday. The rest of the time he's in the field. Good luck!

[Got the Bug]

Cool. Thanks for the specific details.

[ByronRACE]

Mine took longer...

I seem to remember calling and they were scheduled 30-45 days out at the time I went for my inspection. I remember something about my inspection being at the same time that the annual tow-truck inspection stuff took place. So, avoid that if possible.