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Motor Vehicle Department NIGHTMARES!

Discussion in 'General Truck Info' started by Mighty Milt, May 22, 2008.

  1. Mighty Milt

    Mighty Milt Active Member

    :frustration:i have had my truck just less than 3 weeks. in that time i have been to 10 motor vehicle departments... that's no lie 10 trips. the worst thing is, i can't get the same answer twice.

    the first guy was a complete jerk and wouldn't even do the inspection. so i went to another that he recommended to me. they did the inspection, but said i couldn't drive it on the street, only off road. i didn't have a bill of sale, only my import papers, so they wouldn't give me plates. i got a bill of sale and went to the mvd again only to be told that it was a grey market vehicle which should not be on the street, was neither legal to sell or buy and that i would have to bond a title. then they said go back to the office that inspected it. i didn't want to drive 40 miles so i went to one a little closer. they wouldn't give me off road plates because the inspector wrote the body type down as a flat bed rather than an off road car. they said i needed emissions test certificate and then it would get regular car license plates. i got a 3 day moving permit, and got my emissions test done returned to that same office only to be told that it couldn't be registered as a car because it was only imported as an off road vehicle, but didn't have the right body code to be an offroad vehicle. so i went back to the guy that originally inspected and he said it was not allowed on hiway, street or off road and could only be used on private property. i tried to explain to him that it would do me no good on private property because i only have a 20 foot driveway. then i went to another MVD and they said i needed a level II inspection. so i went to get that done... i called first, they said they knew just what i had, it should only be a level I inspection and no problem bring it down. 30 minutes later i was having another heart attack when the guy told me i couldn't register it because it was RHD.

    i'm sure i've left something out somewhere, but i'm just at a total loss. i have gotten blank stares, stupid looks and a ton of bad information... these people at MVD (most of them anyway) hate their jobs and seem to only get enjoyment from making up the rules as they go along, it's impossible. there is still one MVD office that i haven't been through. i'm really hoping to just get off road plates for this, if i take it out to glamis they will seize any vehicle without some sort of registration.

    aside from chris, has anyone else in AZ had any luck getting either RV plates or street plates for their truck? i'm having a hell of a time getting anything for mine.
     
    Last edited: May 23, 2008
  2. smoothstroke

    smoothstroke Member

    Bummer

    http://www.minitrucktalk.com/showthread.php?t=1114&highlight=stevert

    You might talk to this member Stevert. I went through the same thing in prescott. They are just wasting your time. They are not going to tag it. They had me come back twice for different level inspections. I finally figured out they just wanted all the inspectors to see want a mini truck looked like. Maybe Stevert's law will pass. Good Luck terry


























    .
     
  3. Mighty Milt

    Mighty Milt Active Member

    yeah i've been watching that SB 1464 since before i found this website... i'm hoping it doesn't come to that much limitation. i live out in the country, kind of. i'm in a new housing development that is among farmlands and dairy fields, all of the streets around here are posted 45+ mph. that SB would limit my street dring to just my community, i wouldn't even (legally) be able to drive it to work. if it does pass, i'm wondering what type of plate they will issue, if it will notarize your class and what the penalties are if you exceed the 25mph speed limit. i have to admit, i've put about 300 miles on my mini truck the last few days and enjoy being able to run all over town and cruise it on the freeway at 70mph.
     
  4. smoothstroke

    smoothstroke Member

    I didn't think about the limitations!!!

    I live up in Mayer north of phoenix. I drive mine out on the dirt road areas around town (hide from the sheriff) and up around williams when camping and hunting(Az Game and fish doesn't care, had a game and fish guy ask where he could get one when i was elk hunting, but watch out for the green forest service trucks, those college boy's are a**h***s:rolleyes:), so the law would work well for me. But I can understand where it wouldn't help you in your area. If nothing else tagging it under the new law would help your resale value if you had to sell. Just a thought. Terry

    P.S. Those MVD personnel must take some sort of training, because they sure know how to push your buttons. All the while keeping that polite little smirk on thier faces.:frustration:
     
  5. glenn

    glenn Member

    Hi LawnGas,

    just wonder'n what age does a vehicle have to be there to be clasified as a historical or collectors vehicle? We run into some red tape up here too, there are lots of gray area vehicles that get put on the road all over.....I think someone has a hard on for keep'n these vehicles off the road...Exxon? Shell? Texaco? GM? Ford? John Deere? who knows for sure eh?
    just my thoughts.......

    glenn
     
  6. draggbody

    draggbody Member

    i am all for enjoying minis, but they are for offroad use only... how hard of a concept is this... even if you falsify info to get a tag, you are still responcible if you get into an accident... why bother.. this is what makes it difficult for this market because they are showing up on the radar, where as before there were no problems... now customs/EPA has a hard-on for screwing w/ everyone associated w/ kei's....
     
  7. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    Glenn. I think the US is exempt at 25yrs old.
     
  8. glenn

    glenn Member

    dragg,

    sorry to inform you but "we" can put these trucks on the road up here...has to be 15 years or older....there is still a little red tape to go through....not to rub salt...I hope "you" can get somewhere with "your" government to change the laws so you can drive these trucks on the road in all the states......some areas in the states are let'n the mini's to be allowed on the road and I believe that there is a movement afoot to change your laws....just because some people are lucky ;) to get tags for their mini's and others are not :frustration: doesn't mean that we should discourage people from try'n....just remind them not to break the law....a simple concept should be that people have the freedom to drive whatever they want as long as you are not hurting anyone, and they are not dangerous to the public....goverment should butt out...after all we're not communists eh?:rolleyes:
    one thought.....if these mini's are so bad....what about some of the other vehicles that are on the road?:eek:

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/verybigjen/7353411/

    we're all friends here.....glenn
     
  9. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    Friends? Really? yay!
     
  10. topherztoyz

    topherztoyz Member

    In my opinon.. The Kei trucks are safer than a M/C on the road.. I have a licensed Daihhatsu, Yamaha Rhino, and a Vtwin streetbike.. As far a meeting ADOT standards.. no airbags??? neather does my M/C... but it does have all required street equiptment.
    In Arizona.. pre 1968 is considered historic....
    Chris... ride on..
     
  11. Mighty Milt

    Mighty Milt Active Member

    if i could get plates for the street that would be awesome, but i am having trouble just getting it registered to run off road. they are imported just for off road use but arizona is saying they are a passenger vehicle that cannot be registered as an off road vehicle (RV plates are "recreational vehicle" for dirt bikes, quads and rhino type vehicles) and since they are a passenger vehicle they must meet epa and VHSS standards to be on the road... it's a terrible catch 22. the funny thing is in arizona you can drive your rhino on the street legally, or your dune buggy or quad, but these little trucks seem to fall into some kind of "grey market" mystery category. as i said before, if i can't get it registered to take it off raod with RV plates, BLM will confiscate it.

    and to put the record straight, i have falsified nothing.

    cheers
    milton
     
  12. Samurai9

    Samurai9 Member

    I don't believe that the Tennessee government cares what you drive on your own property. If you owned a jeep that never left your property, you would not have to get tags for it, so far as I know, any more than if you parked it in your garage and never drove it. There is no provision for registering a Kei truck for any purpose but there is no need so long as you stay off public roads. So far as the state is concerned, it seems that what you drive on your own property is your business; once you get on the road, you must follow their rules. What is the state going to do: go around from door to door and farm to farm looking for unregistered motor vehicles? The state's interest and jurisdiction is over roads, what vehicles drive on the roads, and how they are driven. It seems odd to me that Arizona would be stricter than Tennessee on this. Please inform me if I am wrong.

    On the other hand, I think all buyers of Kei trucks should be aware that the trucks most likely cannot operate faster than 25 mph and cannot be driven legally on the road. If states such as Oklahoma, change their rules, fine. But don't buy a Kei truck expecting it to be legal for road use, unless state law clearly allows this.

    Sam
     
  13. Mighty Milt

    Mighty Milt Active Member

    Sam,

    i'm not saying arizona won't allow these to be used on private property, i'm saying i haven't got enough private property to warrant the purchase of one. i'm trying to register it for offroad use to take it out to the desert, or the sand dunes or the state parks that have the trails set up for OHV (off hiway vehicles). at the sand dunes at glamis in california, if you have not got a "green sticker" or some other type of registration they will impound your vehicle and impose pretty stiff penalties and fines.
     
  14. gbrecke

    gbrecke New Member

    I smiled when I read the warning about the Forrest Service in the thead above. These guys hate seeing anyone enjoying >their domain< and they'll bust you for any vehicle infraction they can, how dare you be there in the first place.

    I spent three days at our summer place this week, my Duramax is expensive to cold start and make the short run to our remote General Store. Instead I drove the Mini on my errands, to morning coffee, to get mower gas and visit friends, what a savings on fuel, and how fun it was.

    Anyone that doesn't think these vehicles deserve the same privledges as an off road vehicle are probably selling the more expensive and less capable alternatives, or maybe they're Greenies that think only wildlife should ever be allowed off road?

    As for dealing with the DMV, it takes far less effort to say no, do you think these people are working there because they are creative or motivated? We give a pass to all those who work there because of the tight job market in their area.

    If it's reasonably priced and fuel efficient, it's probabaly illegal in the USA, I look at the 62MPH Suzuki Diesel in Europe and elsewhere.. illegal here of course!

    Our Government, possibly the most inefficient entity ever created. I used to make fun of France, Canada, and more, but in some ways we have surpassed their Bureaucratic BS.

    I'm going to put a lawn Mower deck under my Mini Truck and call it a commercial Lawn mower.....
     
  15. DRW

    DRW Member

    I live in East Texas and have asked our local DPS Safety Inspection Representative about getting a Kei registered and the answer was no way and that apparently this was a hot topic with the DPS. These little trucks are starting to draw a lot of attention and I figure it will not be long before they cannot be imported. I like the commercial lawnmower idea, but I think I will paint mine like a Miller Lite can and call it a commercial beer delivery truck, yardwork sux!
     
  16. glenn

    glenn Member

    Thanks for clearing it up LGC, I was thinking that you wanted to get tags for the road....I didn't think that you needed a special tag to run off road...guess I was wrong.
    Let me get this straight......You can't get tags....

    For your mini for the road cuase it is not epa approved
    For your mini for off road use cause it's a passenger vehicle
    Passenger vehicles that are appoved by the epa can go off roading
    OHV vehicle can not be driven on roads except rinos if you don't get caught

    WOW....lots of red tape!:eek:

    In a perfect world, you should be able to drive anything you want off roading including non epa approved vehicles...as long as you pay the proper fees...and stay off the regular roads with non tagged vehicles...

    I hope you get somewhere with changing the laws......btw I for one didn't think that you were falsify'n any records....good luck....it seems that you're going to need it.

    Best, glenn
     
  17. Samurai9

    Samurai9 Member

    LawnGasCaulk, I assume that if you were going to use a kei truck strictly offroad in parks and the like, you would have to carry it or tow it to the location. I regret misunderstanding what you meant--using vehicle offroad on public property.

    Sam
     
  18. stevert

    stevert Member

    IN AZ, sb1464 is a foot in the door! I intend to drive mine on the road where every I can with my number where to buy. At $4.00 per gal this weekend, 40-50mpg trucks with AC/Heat will make a nice economic form of transportation!!!. I am a dealer and I know the more sold, the bigger the voice to get more liberites will be! It REALLY does take people to call & write Government! It really does work!!!!!! Have you contacted your state rep or sen? They will write or call you back!!! NO voice, no action! The squeeky WHEEL will get the oil, trust me, Steve.
     
  19. Lug nut

    Lug nut New Member

    Vehicle inspections

    I work for a municipality in northern BC Canada, and we have purchaced a 91 Suzuki from a dealer in Alberta. He had the truck inspected and registered in Alberta, with a minimum amount of red tape. Rear tail lights must have a DOT marking on them. Get the truck to BC and now they want day time running lights, and a neutral safety switch. Bottom line we neeed the truck for our parks fleet asap, so we comply instead of question the ruling.
    I am wondering if anyone else has gone through this wringer and what other add ons the government has produced.
     
  20. Mighty Milt

    Mighty Milt Active Member

    i've been TO plenty of red tape, unfortunately i haven't gotten THROUGH it. currently i have a 90 temporary license on the truck, i'm working on posting a bond for the title. i gave up showing them the import papers, it just seems to muddy the waters with them. now, i need to go to a level 2 inspection with mvd, and pray that they don't flag it. seems the biggest problem is that i have only a 12 digit VIN. if it were 17 it would have been registered already. i'm just wondering how hard it is to add 5 more digits with a metal stamp :rolleyes:

    so, for now, i'm legal until the end of august... at least i'm saving gas money until then, and hopefully something will happen in the mean time, like the SB 1464.
     
  21. MichTrucks

    MichTrucks Moderator Staff Member Supporting Member

    I believe in some areas you can request a VIN number. I'm told that's how it is in Michigan...but I have no intent on doing it. Then you get a new 17 digit"legal VIN'
    But Off-road is fine for me.
     
  22. Mighty Milt

    Mighty Milt Active Member

    you can do that in arizona too, but the thing is the vehicle has to pass the import inspection for motor vehicle safety standards, which this hasn't. i've been told that i have to take it back to the port of entry and give it to the customs people and have it inspected for on road use. i started off just trying to get it inspected and registered as a golf cart. they keep putting it in the 1/2 ton truck category. my next step is a class 2 inspection, which is taking it to MVD and having them look it over, if were LHD it wouldn't be a problem to get off hiway plates to take it to BLM recreation areas, but unless i get lucky and find some RHD and just send me home.

    it's just absolutely unfair that these can be imported for "OFF ROAD USE ONLY" but i can't use it off road legallly.
     
  23. glenn

    glenn Member


    you might want to check out the rear bumper....there is none....they might want you to put on a bumper....daylight running lights cost about $50 to install...clean air emmisions of course....I never heard about the neutral safety switch wtf?

    glenn
     
  24. A neutral safety switch means you can't start the truck in gear...
     
  25. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    Neutral safety switch is for Automatics not manuals. For a standard it is then called a clutch safety switch, and are not required.

    Rear bumpers are not required on trucks in Canada.

    Daytime Running Lights are required everywhere. Whoever passed it in Alberta shouldnt have done so without the Daytimes.

    Taillights do not have to be marked DOT. They can be E-Coded or marked JIS (Which they are)

    What you DO need if you dont have them, is side reflectors, front and rear. As well, side marker lights front and rear. Your 91 Suzuki is not equipped with that from OEM. The signal light at the top of the cab does not comply as a marker.

    These are national vehicle equipment regulations and are not a provincial thing. This should be consistant across the country, but is certainly not, as you have found out.
     
  26. Timetripper

    Timetripper Moderator

    I agree 100 % as I have just done this with mine and it passed fine.:)

     
  27. unclejemima

    unclejemima Member

    Great info MiniBrutes!
    I was speaking with a guy yesterday who has a mini truck, and he was asking me about the non-DOT tail lights, its good to hear they dont have to be DOT approved. Anyone know if a 91 honda acty's tail lights are E-Coded or marked JIS? Is there anyway to find out?
    The headlights HAVE to be DOT approved though, right?
    Thanks kindly all,
    -mark
     
  28. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    Headlights can be DOT marked or E-coded with a left hand steering country code.

    All Japanese lights are JIS coded. (Japan Industry Standard) It has been proven that JIS lights are equal to, or better than CMVSS/DOT/SAE Standards. That parts that are not up to par are headlights, (Beam cuts to the left) and the fact that Japan does not require side markers/clearance lights or reflectors.

    So, Yes, your Acty is fine for taillights, but its a bit of a process to make something for headlights as of course, there are no drop-in DOT comliant lenses.

    The upper signal lights beside the headlights need to be wired as a marker lamp. (Or add auxillary lights) There is no comlian reflector front or rear on the sides, and of course no side markers in the rear at all.

    It takes us 2-3 hours to get the Acty (And any other composite headlight truck) ready to go for the inspection. Anything with round lights or Hijets only take about an hour to get ready.

    It is bloody amazing at how each inspection station is different, and none of them seem to have read their certification manuals. I get places trying to tell me you need a 3rd brakelight (Which you dont on a truck) and others passing vehicles without reflectors or daytimes or DOT headlights.

    It's baffling. Some people take their vehicles to the "lienient" shops for inspection, which is simply bad news. We have vehicle compliance checkstops here, and I have seen Skylines and the such pulled off the road due to non-compliance. I bet the shops that certified some of these cars will get their pee-pee's slapped, and stand the chance of loosing their certification.

    We try our best to comply with everything, all the time. I dont like the inconsistancy in this industry at all....
     
  29. Samurai9

    Samurai9 Member

    I had to replace one of the rectangular headlights on my 1993 Hijet. It was an off the shelf item, less than $10, at a local auto parts store. The replacement headlight was an exact fit into the old frame.

    Sam
     
  30. MiniBrutes

    MiniBrutes Member

    Yes, the Hijets and any "round eye" truck are off the shelf units. But, the Honda's and other trucks that have composite (molded) headlights, you cannot simply go to the parts store and get a legal headlight.

    You have to do some creative activities to make something else work.
     

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