Registration Process in Texas

[zots]

Check out Texas House Bill 890 (passed April 2011), specifically the "Custom Vehicle" section. You can title it as a Special Construction and brand it as a "Replica". Then to get Custom Vehicle registration and plates, it requires an inspection and completion of form VTR-852 by a MSE certified master mechanic. After that, as I understand, it is exempt from yearly emissions and safety inspections.

[Widows Son]

Originally Posted by zots

Check out Texas House Bill 890 (passed April 2011), specifically the "Custom Vehicle" section. You can title it as a Special Construction and brand it as a "Replica". Then to get Custom Vehicle registration and plates, it requires an inspection and completion of form VTR-852 by a MSE certified master mechanic. After that, as I understand, it is exempt from yearly emissions and safety inspections.

Zots is correct. I just went through the process last month:
1) Insurance
2) Go online and get a temp registration from DMV if no plates exist (mine was being register for the first time)? This will allow you to drive the car to all the below spots.
2) Page 1 of VTR 832 (form is online) inspection form to be filled in by a registered ASE Master Certified Technician who is A1 through A8 certified NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH L1. Page 2 of the form is to select vanity plate names so it's optional. It is also important to have the owner make sure all items on the form are there before they start the registration process rally.
3) Weight (weigh station)
4) Head to County Tax Assessment office and provide: above form, bill of sale, pictures (front, side and rear of the car and same profile pictures the replica is of (Shelby pics off the Internet)). A rubbing of the nameplate with VIN (I also took a picture for good measure). Don't forget your checkbook
5) Since this is the first time the car was being registered, no title was available. They mailed me one at the time I received my registration. If you have a title on the car already and registration, you likely don't need to do step 2 and should bring the title in step 4.

Done...all in, an hour to two.

The final plates plus new title arrive a month'ish later. There are some good instructions online as well.

[BDR1222]

Widows:
My BDR (#1222) should be done in a week or so and on it's way to me (Dallas) , can you give me some more feedback on the following:
1) Did you go with one of the insurance companies that specialize in classic's and hotrods?
2) How did you know where to find a Certified Master Tech that meets the A1 - A8 criteria?
3) Where do you find a weigh station?

[dafuser]

Originally Posted by BDR1222

Widows:
My BDR (#1222) should be done in a week or so and on it's way to me (Dallas) , can you give me some more feedback on the following:
1) Did you go with one of the insurance companies that specialize in classic's and hotrods?
2) How did you know where to find a Certified Master Tech that meets the A1 - A8 criteria?
3) Where do you find a weigh station?

I got my cobra insurance from Heacock Classic Insurance for around 633.00 for a year and driving limited to 6000 miles or less per year. I'm thinking of switching to Midwest Classic Insurance because for the same coverage it will only cost $438.00 for a year. I think they advertise on the Club Cobra site.

You can locate the Certified Master Tech by going to the ASE website at: www.ase.com (enter "shop locator" in the search field)

Not sure where the nearest weigh station is for your location.

[Natzacemm]

Thanks all for sharing your experiences. I will be going through this soon in Houston.

Widows Son,

Who did you go to for the inspection in Houston? Also, where did you find the temp registration on line? My searches have only led to commercial vehicle temp registration. I will keep trying, but if you have a link you could share, would appreciate it.

Thanks