Maggie S.

There was no tax charged when we bought the kit and had it delivered from the UK. Also, no additional charge for the tag 🤓

Yep, we paid $7,300 taxes for our self resembled Caterham in CA. The DMV (Redwood City) did the VIN verification! Ask if they can do it for you, doesn’t hurt! Good luck!!

Nope, it does say SPCNS and the year is 0000.

The stickers we got from the DMV are the registration stickers. And I did ask them about the SB100 sequence number and process....answer was "not needed". It's totally possible that they just didn't know any better. If we get the smog check notice at renewal, we'll deal with it then. Just very happy that the DMV did the VIN verification right then and there and we didn't have to go to CHP, AND we go our plates. :-)

Thank you all!! Here is our update: Monday, 10/6/25 - started DMV registration process (Redwood City), got a temporary operating permit. Was told to get the break and light inspection, then return to DMV for VIN verification (they recommended to come to the DMV first, see if they can do the verification. And potentially be send to CHP). Wednesday, 10/8/25 - drove to Spiteri's in Belmont, break and light inspection done, passed (they know kit cars)! Went straight back to DMV in Redwood City. They were not busy, we had 3 employees marveling over the car, passed VIN verification within 10 minutes, no need to go to CHP. Went back inside to request a sequence number for SB100. We were told that it was not needed (!!) and they handed us the license plates, stickers and registration (!!!). Now, let's see what happens when we need to renew the registration next year, but for now we are street legal and ready to take the Caterham out on the road on a sunny day! YEAH!!!!

Thank you!! Super helpful! Did you install a pct valve? Seems to be a requirement, but really does not make any difference for the car. Wondering if truly needed to pass inspection.

We are about to start the registration process for our Caterham 420R (self built) and I was wondering there is anybody here who can share their experience with the DMV (good or bad), particularly which field office you went to….I have the application from, the statement of construction, MSO and all the receipts. Also your experience with CHP (San Mateo county) for the VIN verification would be super helpful! Thanks so much!!