Maggie S. Posted October 2 Posted October 2 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!!
KnifeySpoony Posted October 2 Posted October 2 I did Alameda county sheriff, and BAR in Livermore and had good experiences. 1
empti Posted October 2 Posted October 2 (edited) BAR Inspection: I just completed the BAR inspection TODAY in Livermore (near Las Positas College). The process was quite smooth, I was asked to provide the MSO, SPCNS Sequence Number(issued by DMV), and DMV fee receipt. Vin Verification: I didn't go to CHP. I called CHP earlier but they redirected me to DMV for VIN verification. I went to DMV instead and they hand wrote me an REG-31 form. -> I need to find out if this method works as i am going to try getting the license plate tomorrow. Safety Inspection: I went to this Spiteri's Complete Auto Service in Belmont. They charged me for the headlight adjustments but passed the safety inspection. I have also tried my local inspection station in Concord but they asked absurd questions. Edited October 3 by empti 1
Alex-Ks1 Posted October 3 Posted October 3 (edited) I'm in Kansas, so after I built my 7 .DMV was no help at all they didn't have a clue to get this done .So an Internet search said I was to contact the captain of state police central area Kansas. I did, and I had every bill of sale. Every scrap of paper in a large 3 inch thick folder . The Captain came to my shop, surprised me, I had to make. An appointment, and thought Ok 6 months later, but he showed up 3 days later . He walked around the car . Then said do you have a windshield wiper, ,, this is. Very odd, state law, you must have a wiper, but you don't need a windshield I had a recipe for a manual wiper blade, that was good enough...thats the truth .. any way all he wanted to see was the bill of sale for the engine and if the paper work matches the numbers on the bill of sale . It did, and that was all, serious , he them asked if all the lights worked .He made a Kansas VIN right there and pop riveted to my inside fire wall .done ,I was shocked. Now getting a Kansas title .. I was ready to spend 6 months with this , all they wanted to see was the state police paper work ,,,DONE and 45$ later I had a legal VIN and a set of plates and a clean title .. Edited October 3 by Alex-Ks1 1 1
empti Posted October 3 Posted October 3 1 hour ago, Alex-Ks1 said: I'm in Kansas, so after I built my 7 .DMV was no help at all they didn't have a clue to get this done .So an Internet search said I was to contact the captain of state police central area Kansas. I did, and I had every bill of sale. Every scrap of paper in a large 3 inch thick folder . The Captain came to my shop, surprised me, I had to make. An appointment, and thought Ok 6 months later, but he showed up 3 days later . He walked around the car . Then said do you have a windshield wiper, ,, this is. Very odd, state law, you must have a wiper, but you don't need a windshield I had a recipe for a manual wiper blade, that was good enough...thats the truth .. any way all he wanted to see was the bill of sale for the engine and if the paper work matches the numbers on the bill of sale . It did, and that was all, serious , he them asked if all the lights worked .He made a Kansas VIN right there and pop riveted to my inside fire wall .done ,I was shocked. Now getting a Kansas title .. I was ready to spend 6 months with this , all they wanted to see was the state police paper work ,,,DONE and 45$ later I had a legal VIN and a set of plates and a clean title .. That's such a quick turnaround. I had 5 DMV visits and 4 inspections so far, and I don't have a license plate yet. Let's hope it all works out tomorrow. 1
Maggie S. Posted October 3 Author Posted October 3 17 hours ago, empti said: BAR Inspection: I just completed the BAR inspection TODAY in Livermore (near Las Positas College). The process was quite smooth, I was asked to provide the MSO, SPCNS Sequence Number(issued by DMV), and DMV fee receipt. Vin Verification: I didn't go to CHP. I called CHP earlier but they redirected me to DMV for VIN verification. I went to DMV instead and they hand wrote me an REG-31 form. -> I need to find out if this method works as i am going to try getting the license plate tomorrow. Safety Inspection: I went to this Spiteri's Complete Auto Service in Belmont. They charged me for the headlight adjustments but passed the safety inspection. I have also tried my local inspection station in Concord but they asked absurd questions. 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.
empti Posted October 3 Posted October 3 8 minutes ago, Maggie S. said: 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. Updates 10/3/2025 I wasn't able to get the license plate because the VIN verification has to be done by CHP. DMV just told me to get an appointment with CHP. I need to talk to CHP on 10/9 and come back to DMV one more time. As for the PCV, here is my set up (for BAR the inspection). The hose on the left comes from the top of the catch can, connect to a PCV valve and then another hose to the throttle body.
Slonie Posted October 3 Posted October 3 23 hours ago, Maggie S. said: lso your experience with CHP (San Mateo county) for the VIN verification would be super helpful! Happy to see another Bay Area 7 will be hitting the road soon! As for your questions... @ralph has some fairly recent and local knowledge here, perhaps he can help...
Maggie S. Posted October 9 Author Posted October 9 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!!!! 2
empti Posted October 9 Posted October 9 (edited) @Maggie S. IMO you'll still need the BAR inspection to get the smog waiver sticker (SB100). Or they may ask for smog checks in future reg renewal. But I just like the DMV you went to. Mine was very strict on CHP inspections. Edited October 9 by empti
KnifeySpoony Posted October 9 Posted October 9 By sticker do you mean the SB100 sticker, or just the reg sticker? In the past, the SB100 sticker came straight from the BAR inspector, not DMV. You def need the SB100 exemption or you will get a smog check notice (although not for 8 years).
empti Posted October 9 Posted October 9 After the CHP visit, I went to Concord DMV and got my CA license plate today. I started this process in July but I think I could have done it within a Month. Appreciate all the help from @KnifeySpoony @Nocturnal005 and @Slonie. I finally have a CA registered 7. 1
Maggie S. Posted October 9 Author Posted October 9 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. :-) 2
KnifeySpoony Posted October 10 Posted October 10 8 hours ago, Maggie S. said: 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. :-) Your DMV person definitely didn't understand what you were trying to do. What does it say on the reg/title re: model/year of car? I would be concerned if I was in your situation tbh. You may end up with a real problem when you get a smog notice if they think it's a model 2024 year car. At that point it's too late to reg as SPCNS afaik.
Nocturnal005 Posted October 15 Posted October 15 (edited) Your experience was my initial experience with the DMV (they were ready to issue me plates on the spot, registered like a new car I bought off the lot), until I specifically requested to use SB100 exemption process. I actually had to prove to the DMV agent that the SB100 process existed in the first place by showing the agent the DMV website online re SB100. The whole point of the SB100 is it allows you to be smog exempt in the future based on a one time inspection...if you pass you are provided with an underhood sticker that shows the car is exempt from smog inspection. You just need to show that the car meets the requirements circa 1957, which only requires a closed PCV setup. I don't mean to scare you but it will be interesting to see if you will need to do a smog check in the future since I assume you did not receive a smog exemption sticker. I'm not sure when that time arises what smog standards the car will be held to, since it appears you are registered as model yr "0000". The car is definitely cleaner than an original lotus, since it has a cat, etc., but it also doesn't have things like EGR, charcoal canisters, etc that are required these days w modern cars. Will you report back on your experience when the time arises? I really hope that you've found an easier way to register these cars. The SB100 process was not fun to go through. https://asktheref.org/services/unusual-vehicles/ Edited October 15 by Nocturnal005 1
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now