Legalizing an old Commando?

jaydee75 · Aug 5, 2012

I dropped the registration on my Norton in 1992. We pay property taxes on registered vehicles in SC. Now I am ready to put it back on the road, do any of you that have a similar experience have any advice or tales I can tell to help me at the DMV and tax offices? I'm wondering if I'll have to pay back taxes, etc.

JD75

lbridges · Aug 5, 2012

Can't say for SC, but in Florida the penalty fee can be waived if you assert that the vehicle was incapable of running. Note, if it could run, and you just chose not to, is not the same thing.

This is from a woman in my office who's husband works for the tax collector and it worked for me. Good luck.

Bob Z. · Aug 5, 2012

I believe you may complete an affidavit that states the vehicle was non-operational until the time of registration.

Are you using an ownership title that has been in your name for a while, or a recently transferred title?

rwalker28 · Aug 5, 2012

In Arizona, you go to the DMV (MVD?), and sign a waiver stating the vehicle was not used.

http://mvd.azdot.gov/mvd/formsandpub/vi ... foKey=1363

Our license plates are very expensive for new vehicles, then drop over the years to about nothing - we don't have property tax on them, so they get it that way. SC has those vehicle stickers, looks like. Since it is property tax, they might be sticklers about it, I looked at the SC MVD forms, and statutes and could not find any provision for vehicles not operated or not operational. I could not find a SC form like this one.

Good luck, don't let the man keep you down.

DogT · Aug 5, 2012

Virginia has property tax too. I brought mine from MD when we moved to VA in 76 and never registered it in VA. When I got it running, I just took my MD registration to the VA DMV and they issued me a new title, antique plates all for $70. I think we have a $5 yearly fee for antique vehicles. They never even looked at the bike. Now if you're registering it for regular use that may change, don't know, but probably not here in VA. Number one rule, Don't offer up any more information than they ask for, I wouldn't even bring it up about not having it registered or titled, just tell them it wasn't running and you couldn't use it until you fixed it. The less they know the better.

Dave
69S

iceteanolemon · Aug 5, 2012

Be glad your not in California. Anythting that drops from the dmv system computers is at least 450 bucks to get back on the road. This as well as a hefty waiting period and revisits to the horrible state run DMV office that has 3+ hour waits.

Now for my truck in Arkansas it was not registered for a long time but I could get in and out within an hour and under 40 bucks!!!

Califnornia is even throwing rumors around they want to smog bikes as well as vote on a thing to add gps devices to cars and charge per mile taxes!!

rwalker28 · Aug 5, 2012

GPS in your vehicle is big brother. And now drones going to be everywhere, even less privacy in your backyard. I heard, but no proof, that the ghetto birds takes pictures of people regularly, facial recognition takes care of the rest. As long as the good guys are in charge, fine...but, man...it is not a question of being paranoid, it is one of being paranoid enough.

iceteanolemon · Aug 5, 2012

rwalker28 said:
GPS in your vehicle is big brother. And now drones going to be everywhere, even less privacy in your backyard. I heard, but no proof, that the ghetto birds takes pictures of people regularly, facial recognition takes care of the rest. As long as the good guys are in charge, fine...but, man...it is not a question of being paranoid, it is one of being paranoid enough.

Yea they are already doing this at my town....

http://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com ... -hours-day

swooshdave · Aug 5, 2012

FYI, in the free states there is no property tax :mrgreen: on vehicles.

shrugger · Aug 5, 2012

$20 fee in Ohio for registrations expired more than 7 days.

TJKII · Aug 5, 2012

As I recall from an experience a friend had, she moved to SC and realized that it would be cheaper to buy a postage stamp of land in FLA (the size of the motorhome) and use that address to register it there. Do you have a relative in PA that you trust? Much more friendly.
T

DogT · Aug 5, 2012

You still have the title in SC, no? All you need is to register it. I doubt if they will be wanting to collect back taxes if it wasn't registered. If you're that worried, sell it to a friend and have him sell it back all with new titles. Or if you can get them on the phone, just ask them? I doubt if they want back taxes if it wasn't on the road or registered, i.e. no valid license plate. As far as I know in the personal property states, it's the registration (driving) that requires taxes, not the title (ownership).

SD, the freestate is actually part of Virginia and West Virginia, no? The original anarchists (bootleggers).

Good luck, you'll be good.

Dave
69S

Snorton74 · Aug 5, 2012

swooshdave said:
FYI, in the free states there is no property tax :mrgreen: on vehicles.

That's right brother.

jaydee75 · Aug 5, 2012

Thanks guys, I have some encouragement.
I bought the bike new in 75 so I have the original title in my name.
I'm going to get my insurance tomorrow and then check the tax office and the DMV.
I hope I get some understanding clerks.
I'll let you know.
JD75

DogT · Aug 5, 2012

Keep your mouth shut and don't offer extra info. Just what they need to know, and act like you know what you're doing.

Dave
69S

grandpaul · Aug 6, 2012

Here in Texas, they just ask if it's been on the road, and take your word for it. Registration fee is nominal and used for highway maintenance.

jaydee75 · Aug 6, 2012

Re: Legalizing an old Commando? Done Deal!

Well, I just returned from the DMV. I did like you said and didn't say anything. I got all my paperwork together and laid it on the tax counter. They asked if it had been non-operational all this time, I said yes. Tax total was $30.71. Went to DMV with paid taxes, title, proof of insurance and got my tag no problem for $10.
So, another milestone in getting the bike on the road. Feels good.

Thanks for the helpful advice.

JD75

drones76 · Aug 6, 2012

Re: Legalizing an old Commando? Done Deal!

jaydee75 said:
Well, I just returned from the DMV. I did like you said and didn't say anything. I got all my paperwork together and laid it on the tax counter. They asked if it had been non-operational all this time, I said yes. Tax total was $30.71. Went to DMV with paid taxes, title, proof of insurance and got my tag no problem for $10.
So, another milestone in getting the bike on the road. Feels good.

Thanks for the helpful advice.

JD75

Funny you can be elbow deep in grease for months and the paperwork can create havoc. Glad to see that part worked out.

shrugger · Aug 6, 2012

Outstanding!

iceteanolemon · Aug 6, 2012

Re: Legalizing an old Commando? Done Deal!

jaydee75 said:
Well, I just returned from the DMV. I did like you said and didn't say anything. I got all my paperwork together and laid it on the tax counter. They asked if it had been non-operational all this time, I said yes. Tax total was $30.71. Went to DMV with paid taxes, title, proof of insurance and got my tag no problem for $10.
So, another milestone in getting the bike on the road. Feels good.

Thanks for the helpful advice.

JD75

JEALOUS!!!!!

Legalizing an old Commando?

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