NJ title registration and inspection answers

[ztarum]

I'm finally through the process. It didn't actually take too long, but faster would have been better.

Here is how the process worked, at least for me. My car is a Superformance, but the process should be the same for any new build.

1) Obtain a "reconstructed vehicle" package from the Specialty Title (sometimes called Foreign Title) people in Trenton.

2) Fill out the forms, collect your build receipts and your MSO, take pictures of your car (4 sides, engine, interior), make a rubbing of your chassis number and mail them in as instructed in the package.

3) Once they have you info, the Title people will call to ask which Specialty Inspection site you would like to go to (there are 3, see the NJ MVC website for locations) . This is for the initial engineering/technical inspection to make sure the car is road worth. You must pass this inspection before they will issue you a title.

4) After stating your inspection site preference, the title folk will fax you info to the inspection site. You should get a call from the site within a couple of days to schedule the inspection. If you don't hear anything after a week or two, call and follow up.

5) On the day of your inspection, you will need to arrange transportation. You cannot drive the car. Bring your engine documentation as this will be used to determine what equipment your car needs to have any what year of emissions testing it will be subject to.

6) At the inspection they will look over your car. I have heard that some people have been required to wait in a waiting area while the car in being inspected, but I was able to stay with my car while the inspection took place. I provided them with a letter form my engine builder with the block casting and serial number and the year of manufacture. They varified the information on the letter and checked the block to make sure it matched. In my case, that was their primary focus and they didn't spend too much time looking over the rest of the car. However, I suspect the process varies somewhat based on the attitude of the inspector (and yourself).

7) When you pass the inspection (I passed first try, so I can't say what happens if you fail), they will give you two forms. One for states what the engine is and what year of emissions tests apply. This letter is to stay with the car. The other form, is the inspection form and it stated that the vehicle is acceptable and can be titled.

8) The inspection form must now be mailed back to Foreign Titles in Trenton, or you can drive it up there yourself (I chose the latter approach). Present the inspection form and request your title. Bring your check book, as you will have to pay any sales tax at this time. Basically anything you bought from out of state will be taxed. Once you pay up, they will give you the tile. It will be titled as the present year, the make will be listed as REC for "reconstruct" and the model will be whatever they happen to feel like entering that day. In my case the model is MAR, which is short for Mark III since there is only room for 3 letters.

9) Once you get your title, take it, your drivers liscense, and proof of insurance (if you don't yet have insurance, you need to get it) to your local MVC (or if you are already in Trenton to get your title, you can use the MVC around the corner from Foreign Titles) to register the car. At this point in the process it is handled just like any other car. You fill out the form, pay the fee (mine was $211) and they will hand you your plates and registration car.

10) At this point you can celebrate. You can legally drive your car! Unfortunately, there is one more step, and that is the regular inspection to get your window sticker. You have 14 days to get this inspection performed. You can use the free local MVC inspection site or pay to have it done by a local garage. You will need the engine letter you got previously, to tell them how to test the emissions. I have yet to complete this last step, but I will post an update when I do.

Finally, a few other note. At the present time (Feb. 2008) you cannot get "collector" or "historic" registration for your car if it is titles as a "reconstruct" (which it will be). These options were possible in the past and were popular because the completely exempted the car from inspection. People who previously registered as a collector are grandfathered, but if they sell their car the new owner will not be able to do this.

Following my last point, keep in mind that your car must have all the emissions equipment required at the time of the manufacture of the engine. This means if you use a late model engine you will need cats, and everything else. Generally this means a pre-'74 engine is best. I don't know how they handle replacement blocks (i.e. the new Pond or Genesis FE bocks, or the Dart Sportsman Windsor blocks). The FE blocks you may be able to sneak through since they reproduce the original casting number. It would be risky, but it would not suprise me if folks have tried this. I'm not sure on the others, but I would definitely get something from the MVC in writing before I would spend my money on a build with a new block or a new Ford crate motor.

Well, that's about it. Good luck.