SB100 openings. One day only!

[jimrankin]

I have been trying to get my S2K registered and have run into the usual problems. When I was at the Smog Ref. (CARB) where the DMV had sent me, and turned down, he mentioned that a really large number of the 500 SB100 slots were not claimed last year. I went back to the DMV and did my wait and finally was sent to a clerk who did not even know what SB100 was and told me to "go get a smog check and come back". I made her get a supervisor who was very familar with SB100, calling it "kit car day" and didn't sound like she thought much of it. She told me that it was a ONE DAY ONLY opening and even if they were not all claimed they were only issued on the first business day of the year! She also said be first in line because they will no longer just keep re-dialing for Sacramento if the office gets busy. I can see the limit of 500 to get the bill passed, but why just one day, especially with the furlough days it is alway "busy" at the DMV. Does anyone have any experience with the "one day only" rule?

[slngsht]

another fine example of government at work.

[rnr]

Sounds like another example of a govt employee slacking off and making up rules to avoid work

[Mark1triumph2000]

I haven't actually gone through the SB100 process but from what I understand the DMV may have been misleading or just plain lazy. Do a web search on SB100 as there are several sites out there.

 

As I understand it, the numbers are available throughout the year until all 500 are gone. This can happen on the first day or the last day of the year. They may have all gone for this year but you should get them to call and check if there are any left. You have my sympathy as I can just imagine the frustration with the DMV.........

 

Perhaps you could make a contribution to the DMV holiday party?

[slomove]

Maybe she was talking about the practical side? I mean the 500 numbers are definitely gone within hours and the DMV does not need to bother for another 365 days.

 

The unwillingness to keep trying when Sacramento is locked up may indeed be just laziness. Some offices are known to be more supportive than others.

 

There seems to be something new in the making (if it ever gets through...).

[Mondo]

Definately go to another DMV. You should be able to register (get all the paperwork done) a few weeks ahead so when you show up all they have to do is dial Sacramento.

My local DMV wanted the paperwork done early and the first person that registered early was number 1 when getting thru to Sacramento (happened to be me;)). They told me not to even come in that day as they'd call me when/if they got it. Not to worry you more, but the first time I applied (2008) my DMV never got thru before they notified all DMVs they were out (around 10:30). I went a year on temps which I don't think they allow anymore.

 

I suggest you find a DMV who's supervisor is familiar with SB100 and sounds like he/she has a plan (like taking early registration).

 

While the 500 allotted may not all have completed their final inspections. I can't imagine SB100s being given back. I think that's part of the problem... people get them before their car is close to being done and they sit on them. I don't think there's a time limit so technically it's yours no matter how long it takes to build. Personally, I think you should have to complete your car in the year awarded or forfeit it. I know one custom builder that told me he has "extras". That ain't right.

[MoPho]

Technically, there is not just one day for SB100, it goes until all 500 numbers are taken. When the program was first started it took something like 6 months to go through all the sequence numbers. Now they are gone within two hours on the first day.

 

Not all DMV's have experience or know anything about the SB100 process. I suggest you do some research into which DMV's in your area are known to be successful. Despite having a DMV right down the street from me, I went to one that was 50 miles away as it was recommended to have a lot of experience with the process. It was a PITA since I ended up having to make 4 trips there to get it all sorted (it probably could have been done in 2 trips, but one was because they made a legitimate mistake due to how my car was previously registered, and one was me just going up ahead of time to make sure all my paperwork was in order) but it was worth it.

There was about 15 other people in line with me ( I got there at 3am and camped until they opened at 8am- I was 4th in line) and I have to say the DMV busted their asses for us and got a number for everyone. They rushed us in, spread us out to every teller to get the paperwork entered and then had 3 people dedicated to manning the phones nonstop to Sacramento.

 

I am confused though, did you know about the SB100 before trying to register the car, because you should have never gone to the Smog referee under any circumstance without an SB100 sequence number or a CHP inspection (I have heard of people screwing up their chance for an SB100 by trying to get it smogged without a sequence number)?

Did you fill out any paperwork for the SB100?

 

If not, what you want to do is go in soon with your receipts, bill of sale, and MSO and say you want to Post Fees (key words), you then get most of your paperwork in order, pay your taxes and road fees, and they will give you an incomplete registration. At this point you may be able to get a temp permit to use the car (ask), they changed the rules now so it may be only for 30 days ( I got one for 6 months last year).

I recommend going back 2-3 weeks in advance to have them double check your paperwork so there is no snags on "SB100 day"

Then on Jan 2nd you want to get to the DMV very early (going to a DMV that knows what they are doing is a double edged sword, they know what they are doing but it also means you may have a lot of people there trying to get the sb100 too). If you haven't got your paperwork in order before hand, you might as well forget it

After you get your SB100 sequence number, you then make the appointment at the CHP, where they assign a VIN #, and inspect to make sure there are no stolen parts. From there you go to the Smog referee for them to sign off on the exemption. Then you go back to the DMV (any DMV) with the paperwork from the CHP, and Smog ref and they give you plates.

 

 

*There is a possibility that one might have to get a safety check somewhere in there, but I did not have to do that, so don't know what point that needs to be done, or if it needs to be done.

 

 

Good luck

Edited October 9, 2009 by MoPho

[jimrankin]

My mistake was going to the DMV and asking them what to do, and getting someone who started this all wrong. Had heard of the SB100 and asked when I went in but when I handed over all of the paperwork to start getting the car in my name they just went with "it's a used car from Washington", took my 4K in tax and registration money and told me to bring the car in for an "inspection". Trailered the car to them and when the "inspector" could not find a VIN# I checked with the seller in WA and he said that their DMV never even wanted to see the car and the only place the VIN# was ever used was on the Title and Registration papers. They had me get a statement from WCM that no VIN# was installed at the "factory" and confirmed that WA did not install one on the car. I was sent off to the CHP with all my paperwork. The CHP were great, loved the car, and even had me choose where to install the two new Special Construction VIN# plates. Unfortunately they also gave me some misinformation by telling me that the CARB referee could visually inspect the car and do a tailpipe smog as long as i made sure the DMV used the motor year, '06, on my new title and not the '08 from the WA title. Back to the DMV who sent me off to CARB who told me the DMV was basically smoking crack and to go in and register for SB100.

I've been so busy with other projects and business that the car sitting in the trailer in my warehouse hasn't been a big issue. I had expected that anything with the DMV would be more difficult than buying a stolen nuclear weapon so it's no big surprise that I'm where I'm at. If I'm at the DMV with all my paperwork before dawn on Jan. 2nd and don't get an SB100 I think I'll sell the car rather than warehouse it for another year. the only restriction will be that it goes out of CA because I sure don't want them making another 4K off of just screwing with people.

If they really wanted to clean up the air in CA they would just start making passes through parts of any major city and pull all of the daily driven unregistered smog spewing junk off the road.