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New York State and Mini trucks

Discussion in 'Suzuki Carry' started by H Privetts, Jan 4, 2020.

  1. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member

    Hello all, well, here is what happened to me in new York, bought a 1993 Suzuki Carry, had all my documents from EPA, DOT, Customs, had all my paper work for New York, Sept 6, 2019, went to DMV in Chemung County, NY, supervisor looked a my paperwork, called Albany DMV, came back and told the clerk, to go ahead, everything was fine. Ready?? On Dec 3, 2019 received a letter from Albany, that Chemung made a mistake,
    and that I am here by ordered to return my plates, called Albany, took five phone calls to finally got to the Technical Department, don't ask, don't know, never knew they had that department, anyway, Mike, informed me that NYS was following the following law 400-A , Article 13, dated 1970, for not registering and titling, mini trucks in NYS. ????? So, the end of the story is, I returned my plates, received a form for a refund, not sure how much I will get back out of my $ 255.00, plus $14.00 registration fee. I give up, anyone one want to buy my truck? Happy New Year
     
  2. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member

    UPDATE: Was told today by DMV that i would be getting back 23.50. ?? Called DMV, was told that there was a note on my file that i was not allowed to talk to anyone but the supervisor, Shawn. Period. I must have gotten on their nerves,
    LOLOLOLO, well I'm waiting on a phone call from Shawn, it was at lunch, at 12:30, its now 3:30, and no phone call.
    So the game plays on. Have a wonderful day, everyone, it's cold here in New York.
     
  3. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member

    UPDATE: Have gone around and around with DMV in Albany, I've sent all the required forms to get back my money, they charged me $50.00 for the title, which I never got, sent me a check for next years registration, filed forms to get sales tax back, we shall see. As much as I have liked to have this mini truck, it has cost me a large amount of money.
    New York has said they are working on this problem, but, people in DMV refuse to talk about anything that relates to
    this law. When this is all over, I will update this rant, and sign off. What a waste Later
     
  4. mr.mindless

    mr.mindless Member

    Interesting and unfortunate

    I had no issues other than confusion with mine, but it was a NY title and reg from a NH transferable registration. Has been I think 4 years, no kickback from Albany.

    It never sees street use, have never done anything more than renew reg and get it inspected every other year (for renewal - since again, it never gets used...)
     
  5. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member

    Hey Mindless, thanks for the update, have talked to several people here in NY state, and found that eight out of ten times, there's not problems. it does make a difference if the truck is white, or blue, joking, there is no law in the state that says we can't title or register a mini truck, but there are some people in the DMV, that are enforcing laws that are not there, they say that code 400-a, article 13, is the law, but its really a trash can for junk mail junk information that DMV, doesn't know where to put it. lolololooll I just Love NY later
     
  6. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    Mine was a fresh import, in NY. No issues. Truck passed safety inspection, drove it for over a year. And now new owner is having no problems with it. I see it all the time on the road. BUT my insurance agent insured it as a Suzuki Swift as she felt that is what it most matched. They later had modified the insurance to more what the truck was, but when I put plates on it, it was a Swift... Catskill Auto LLC in Walton does a ton of them through the Oneonta office.. He's a dealer that is pretty local to me although I do not know him personally.

    400A article 13 is so vague it isn't funny. But the argument is, they are good enough for federal standards ( through exemption ), which according to DOT regulation is good enough.

    If all else fails, these guys can get you a title through Vermont. You could do it yourself, but they know exactly how to do it. http://www.titleservice.us/ I do a bunch of work for them through my employer, and they have done a lot of mini trucks, for people who didn't want to jump through the hoops
     
  7. Lynx

    Lynx New Member

    I too have gone through similar experience. Got tag and plates then got called back to bring them back or they'll call the cops.
    They said for safety reasons. I think we could all argue that reasoning with other cars on the road legally.
    I have exchanged e-mail with representative of my district explaining I have followed what's is on the N.Y. DMV guide line and ....
    I still haven't heard back, but keep this sight updated.
     
  8. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    Interesting
     
  9. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member


    They will not call you, I kept calling them. I have heard that a law suit has been filed in New York courts to fight this. Have not heard from any one except the other day, I spoke with a friend of mine, he told me that New York has filed a contentious on this, other then that, mines still parked in my garage. If I hear anything, will update. Did they , the DMV charge you with a title fee? If so, call them, and get your money back
     
  10. Lynx

    Lynx New Member

    Thanks for the update. They said they are giving me a full refund since it was their error. Though I spent three and and a half hours there...
    I told my district rep that there are many others who are in the same situation, I haven't heard back yet. I'll send him another message soon.
    Just a thought though. The local mail carrier saw the Carry parked and showed some interest and got me thinking.
    I'm going to see if she could spread the word about the situation. Since they spend a good time driving with right hand drive cars, if their personal car was the same,...
     
  11. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member

    Hey buddy, good for you getting your money back. If you do a search for an article by AAMVA dated 2011, you will see where this so call law came from. New York is enforcing this as law. 400-A sec 18 or something like that, it a garbage bin for trash coming out of DMV. But they don’t want to listen, or talk about THEIR mistake. We are not the only ones getting the screw driver put to us. They gave back all my money except for $120.00 for tax on something I’m not allowed to drive. Ok I’m done, I’m getting mad. Later
     
  12. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member

    Hey Matt, just a short note, I have contacted http://www.titleservice.us/, spoke with George, and I think after talking with him, this is going to be the route that i'm going to go. Seems like he has done a lot of these, I will update as to what happens and let everyone know. Thank you for the information, I am very grateful.
     
  13. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    Good deal, George is a pretty nice guy
     
  14. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member


    Good Morning World, Well spoke to this George guy from http://www.titleservice.us/, he seemed like he didn't know it
    my Suzuki Carry, could be titled or registered in Vermont, sent him all the paperwork, pictures, and then a follow up phone call to make sure he got it, he did, but, he informed me he had only done two of these in the last year or so. So,, i'm not sure about this. I understand the problems with getting these little trucks registered and titled, and the money that this takes, but, i'm growing tired of my little truck just sitting in the garage., Now, the world is falling apart, this bug running around, next it will be zombies, oh god, im going to be a damn zombie, what to do, what to do, dig a hole and stick my head in it and wait for this to clear up, and then buy a Ford...…………………………………………………...Later dudes
     
  15. Lynx

    Lynx New Member

    Yeah? ...
    I looked at some states process of registration. Out of state , or non resident.
    Seemed like n.carolina. Was close. But I think you have to inspect the truck before applying for the title.
    I thought Vermont was only as off road, but not sure.
    Nothing from the representative.
    Wonder who'll be the zombie first.
    On yeah I called that title service number.
    Was happy that they where in N.Y. but haven't heard back.
    Still seems like we'd still be doing the loop hole underground.
    DMV called it 'prohibition on kei cars'
    Hagerty said to fight it as a ' classic '

    Sucks
     
  16. mr.mindless

    mr.mindless Member

    I don't know how South Dakota is on kei trucks, but they are friendly to out of state registrants.
     
  17. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member

    oh, Mr. Mindless, I had forgotten about South Dakota, a lot of campers that are full time, do that, there, I shall look into that and see what they tell me, Thank you
     
  18. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member

    Hey, just spent the day reading South Dakota law, mostly ok, but you would have to go there, and like full time campers, pay someone to use their office as an address, but not much said about mini trucks, a lot about campers, and vehicles towing campers, from what I understand of the law there, you have to go there at least once a year and spent a few days there, getting your campers and vehicles inspected and such. to much work and to time consuming. and mini trucks don't show up anywhere.
     
  19. H Privetts

    H Privetts Member

    hey there Lynx, I have spoken with Hagerty Insurance, and they would know. I've had more then one vehicle insured through them in the past, also had my Mini with them since it is a 1993, well over the 25 year requirements. They told me the same, to fight, I'm to old to fight, no comment after that...…….life goes on,,,,,,,,,,,,
     
  20. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    Vermont they are legal in. When I had first got mine, all of the local trucks were registered in vermont. I was the first in my area to get NY plates and then almost a year later, trucks were pulling into where I work needing info on how to get it on the road in NY.. Now with this blockage I'm not sure..

    With Covid 19 going around, the paperwork for vehicles will go through Albany FASTER.. I'd schedule an appointment with the DMV and try again.
     
  21. mr.mindless

    mr.mindless Member

    Almost none of that is true unless things have changed since July. As I said, the ONE thing I don't know about is anything kei specific.
    Pennington County redid their website, and no longer has the out of state registration page on the treasurer's site that I was going to link, so perhaps something did change. Spend 15 minutes on the phone and check with them. I can also personally assure you that they have a very straightforward procedure for changing title to a motorhome.

    It's not okay in the eyes of NY (nor most any other state) since when you live here, vehicles you own must be registered here. SD doesn't care the address of the registrant. And they have no inspections.
     
  22. Lynx

    Lynx New Member

    I tried the tech number they have me but never had the time to wait my turn.
    Thinking of the option of registering as a slow moving vehicle.
    They regulate that pretty well though.
    Read you need some certificate of sorts from the manufacture. They raised the speed limit though....
    Also would it loose its value if I was to sell it to someone out of state that would want to drive it on road as a regular vehicle...?
    Still got some japanese gas in there. Shiii..
     
  23. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    Montana is where everyone with supercars gets their vehicles registered. Not sure about JDM'S but their licensing is pretty leniant
     
  24. mr.mindless

    mr.mindless Member

    MT does require a local agent or mail forwarder, can't deal with their DMV direct as a nonresident like in SD
     
  25. Neilo

    Neilo New Member

    I'm in VT and have spoken with several people at the DMV. The lowest level gave me attitude, the higher ups said "Sure, what's the problem? Inspection might be a hassle, but that's not our dept."

    I still haven't registered the minitruck, but having registered all my rigs in VT for the past 40 years, here's what I've needed: Driver's license, money to pay the 6% use tax (sales tax) for rigs bought or brought in from out-of-state. A Bill of Sale. No title is required for anything older than ten years old. And a check, of course. :)

    Reg. fee runs about $60/year, slight discount for 2 year reg, easy renewal by mail. Offices are closed to walk-ins now, but they're open for mail registrations/renewals and phone calls. PITA for this particular problem, because they reject the application if you get one single thing wrong, and they don't tell you what it is. :-(

    Good Luck!
     
  26. Lynx

    Lynx New Member

    I Got through to an operator in Vermont DMV. He said kei truck are a no go in Vt.
    Also a reply from Albany:
    Peter B. Bernagozzi v. Mark J. F. Schroeder, Index No. 929-20, venued in Albany County Supreme Court.
    Is the the case with kei trucks and NY DMV.
    I tried to find the case with no luck.
    I didn't try much though.
     
  27. matt167

    matt167 Active Member

    You confuse people when you call it a Kei truck... It is a federally exempted imported motor vehicle. Vermont will probably push a registration out if you send it in with enough money on the purchase price ( tax revenue ) because that is what they do.

    NY just uses a BS clause to block them, but trucks still get through the system. Depends on who is on the desk in Albany that day
     
  28. Jigs-n-fixtures

    Jigs-n-fixtures Well-Known Member

    A lot of the States wrote codes to explicitly disallow the title of, and licensure of the “Japanese Mini Trucks”, back in the 80s when various manufacturers were importing them as off highway vehicles, for landscape crews and similar onsite uses.

    To avoid the cost of having them smog certified, they imported them as off-highway vehicles which by Federal law, Had to be limited to 25-mph maximum speed. And, they really weren’t safe to drive on the street. In the mid to late eighties, they quit importing them.

    Now, we are trying to import vehicles designed for on roadway use, as used vehicle older than twenty-five years, which in most States would qualify them for collector plates.

    But the explicit restrictions for “Japanese Mini Trucks” remain on the books. and, legally in most states the newer imports can’t be licensed even though they are old enough to be exempt from all of the federal requirements.

    I’m in Idaho. I can’t title or license my 94-Hijet Truck. But I coul license a 94 Hijet Van. because the Van doesn’t meet the physical description of a mini truck enshrined in the law.

    I have Off Highway Vehicle plates on my truck, and the state law allows me to run it on any roadway, that isn’t a federal aid, state highway. I run all over town, and out to the woods with it. I ran out the State highway to the county dump last weekend with a 8-ft utility trailer full of trash. I had my rear light bar in flash mode, because I could only get up to 55 in the 65-mph zone. Highway patrol followed me to the turn off to the dump and pulled me over. Thought I was in trouble. Nope, he just wanted to check out the truck, and say thanks for driving safe.
     
    Limestone likes this.
  29. matt167

    matt167 Active Member


    I've written on this in detail in the past.... The "Mini Truck Laws" are assigned to trucks imported for farm or low speed use. When you import it as a road vehicle legally, it does not apply to those laws. The hangup happens when a DMV interprets it incorrectly and you may or may not hit a road block there with it... Now if you can pass it through another state willing to title it ( Vermont ), then they should accept it free and clear..

    See on paper, the Vans and trucks will look exactly the same, you either tell them you have a "Mini Truck" or there is a pre vehicle inspection.
     
  30. milmor88

    milmor88 Member

    Has anybody done the vermont registration? My local dmv won't trade title for exportation certificate
     

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