Florida Registration new 7

[Billy]

Greetings

 

I will be receiving a newly built 7 later this year. The car is being built in Wa. However I want to register the car in Florida where I live. local DMV office was unable to guide me and I am not sure how to proceed. 
 

I would like to register the car and drive it over a period of weeks from Wa to Florida but I believe I might only be able to get a 10 day temporary registration after which I would need to have the car inspected at my local DMV office before it can be permanently registered. 
 

I anyone has any guidance or experience of the best way to proceed I would be grateful.

 

many thanks.

 

 

[mrmustang]

Start with Florida form TL-48

 

Follow the instructions within, it really is that easy in Florida.

 

Now, with that said, there are additional ways to title your car in Florida, legally I might add. Go to one of the Cobra replica forums (the factoryfiveforum.com or clubcobra.com) and type in "Florida title" or "Florida registration" in their search fields. Pay attention to the dates of the posts and/or threads that come up, as I believe there were changes made to some items during Covid.

 

 

 

 

Bill S.

Edited December 27, 2023 by mrmustang
additional information

[MV8]

The typical order is to have an MSO for the product, titling as a motor vehicle after inspection, insuring for road use, then registering requirements specific to your county.

 

It would need to be trailered/towed until after registration though I've heard of permits to drive (within your  state) to an inspection for titling. I doubt Florida will provide a permit good for driving cross-country.

[slowdude]

3 hours ago, MV8 said:

The typical order is to have an MSO for the product, titling as a motor vehicle after inspection, insuring for road use, then registering requirements specific to your county.

 

It would need to be trailered/towed until after registration though I've heard of permits to drive (within your  state) to an inspection for titling. I doubt Florida will provide a permit good for driving cross-country.

This. The MSO flips to a title. In certain states we ship bikes to, only dealerships can convert to a title, not a DMV.

 

If you have an MSO, you'll be fine to get through the paperwork.

[panamericano]

I've never had a problem driving across the country with a paper 30 day tag.  Laminate it and put it in the regular plate holder.  Texas limits a car to 3 in a year.  I went through all those in the 9 months it took to get a title/registration.

[Billy]

Thanks very much fellas, your advice is much appreciated.

[Taber10]

Billy,

First, CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a new Caterham!

Second, be advised that my advice and/or experience may have NOTHING to do with your registration process, due to the years (16) that have transpired since my registration in 2007 and due to the "idiosyncrasies" of different DMV offices within Florida, and I only have experience in TWO counties in the Panhandle!

But the process--at least prior to the changes for "limited" vehicle manufacturers which occurred years ago but was not implemented by either the DOT or the state of Florida, you must show to the inspector at the DMV the source (e.g. Bill of Sale) for at least two parts from separate providers.  In my case, the chassis (in the Caterham kit) and the motor were separately procured.  The inspector--a uniformed, armed State Trooper assigned to the DMV for this purpose--was very impressed with the pictures of my Caterham as it arrived in various crates and boxes, definitely proving that it was imported as a "kit."  Every DMV office does not have an inspector assigned; in my case I had to travel to Pensacola after being turned down in Crestview.  

 

In my case, the fact that I had previously registered the car in Colorado, where I assembled it (wink, wink) was a big help, although it was only a temporary registration.  I was informed that "previously registered" meant "PREVIOUSLY REGISTERED" and I should not argue with the inspector's interpretation.  In Florida, you must certify that YOU assembled your "specially constructed vehicle", and you did NOT hire someone to do that for you, although you are allowed to hire as much "assistance" as your abilities may require.

 

I found that the "Cobra" clubs and web sites can offer assistance, as apparently in Florida many more Cobras fall under the "specially constructed vehicles" than do Caterhams or other LSISs.

 

Good luck.

 

Taber

[jeffs]

Throwing this out as an option... 

 

I registered mine first in Montana under a corporation.  There are companies that will help you do this.  It was painless and Montana does not require an inspection of any kind.  I did it because NJ was inconsistent in how they applied the laws to kit cars.  When I moved to Florida it was then super easy to register already having the Montana title and registration.... they walked out, checked the VIN and I was done.  

[Logan_Se7en]

On 12/27/2023 at 10:38 AM, mrmustang said:

Start with Florida form TL-48

 

Follow the instructions within, it really is that easy in Florida.

 

Now, with that said, there are additional ways to title your car in Florida, legally I might add. Go to one of the Cobra replica forums (the factoryfiveforum.com or clubcobra.com) and type in "Florida title" or "Florida registration" in their search fields. Pay attention to the dates of the posts and/or threads that come up, as I believe there were changes made to some items during Covid.

 

 

 

 

Bill S.

Bill,

 

I am in a similar spot trying to register my imported 1997 Caterham next month in FL. The TL-48 seems to be for replica cars, do you know if that would apply to a factory built Caterham?

 

Logan

[mrmustang]

53 minutes ago, Logan_Se7en said:

Bill,

 

I am in a similar spot trying to register my imported 1997 Caterham next month in FL. The TL-48 seems to be for replica cars, do you know if that would apply to a factory built Caterham?

 

Logan

Are you using a broker for importation? If so, they should be able to guide you. If not read the following, then contact the Florida DMV directly, lot's of paperwork will be required:

https://www.wcshipping.com/us-car-import

 

To import a car to the United States, the US Customs and Border Protection requires the following documents:

original bill of lading

bill of sale

Foreign registration or US title

Letter of approval from the NHTSA

EPA Form 3520-1

DOT Form HS-7

 

Let us know how it goes, might also want to start a new stand alone thread so others can learn from your experience.

 

Bill S.

Edited January 7 by mrmustang
additional information added

[Logan_Se7en]

3 minutes ago, mrmustang said:

Are you using a broker for importation? If so, they should be able to guide you. If not read the following, then contact the Florida DMV directly, lot's of paperwork will be required:

https://www.wcshipping.com/us-car-import

 

To import a car to the United States, the US Customs and Border Protection requires the following documents:

original bill of lading

bill of sale

Foreign registration or US title

Letter of approval from the NHTSA

EPA Form 3520-1

DOT Form HS-7

 

Let us know how it goes, might also want to start a new stand alone thread so others can learn from your experience.

 

Bill S.

Yes I’ll make a thread on mine, hopefully share some knowledge. I have all the customs documentation done, just need to get the FL forms for titling knocked out. Cheers

 

Logan

[mrmustang]

1 minute ago, Logan_Se7en said:

Yes I’ll make a thread on mine, hopefully share some knowledge. I have all the customs documentation done, just need to get the FL forms for titling knocked out. Cheers

 

Logan

Contact the Florida DMV main office and ask, let them know what paperwork you already have in your possession.

 

Bill S.

 

 

[Billy]

Greetings again. 
 

my new 420 is now only weeks away however, so far I am unable to navigate the registration rules in Florida despite the great advice I received form several of you.

 

it seems the laws have changed in Florida relatively recently and now I have to register the car as a vehicle assembled from parts. I started the process which seems to be going perfectly, until I was told that as Caterham is not a manufacturer registered with the NHTSA, the parts used for assembly cannot be verified. 
 

47 calls and several different DMV offices have of course provided contradictory advice but at this point, I am at a roadblock. 
 

Rather maddeningly, a virtually identically specc’d Caterham car was registered in Florida but a few weeks ago. I have even talked with the company that did the work, but they only deal with dealers and will not get involved.

 

if there is anyone out there with any contacts, advice. I believe that the people at the DMV offices are interpreting statutes and just as confused as I am about the regulations. Despite some helpful folks they will not assist if their supervisors advise them not to.

 

Before I consider registering in Montana I thought I’d check again with your good selves?

 

thanks in advance.

 

 

[MV8]

Caterham Cars, Ltd. is a low volume manufacturer registered with NHTSA.

[slowdude]

Did you try Christopher John out of daytona beach? They're an active caterham dealer iirc, might know the process for FL.

 

Worst case, Montana perm plate and never think about it again.

[wemtd]

You could try checking with the LoCost folks. There may be someone over there who’s in Fl