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Registering a homebuilt trike in NC: My experience
Just went through the process of registering my VW trike and thought I'd let everyone know what was entailed.
I called the DMV inspector (He's only in his office for two hours on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.) and he put me on his list of things to do. Two weeks passed and he called and left a message on my machine while I was at work, asking if he could come out right then. Took me another week to catch up with him on the phone. "Sorry, I'm going out of town for two weeks for training. Call me after that."
Two weeks go buy and I call him, tells me he will get to me that week. He calls back on Friday, (I happened to be off work) and told me was on his way.
Upon arrival, he asked for the bill of sale for the VW parts of the trike, and the one for the steel tubing. He wasn't concerned with any of the dozens of other ones I had. He matched the numbers on the engine, trans and torsion assembly to the bill of sale and let me know he would send off for my new vin number. He didn't concern himself with checking anything on the trike like lights working etc. He did tell me that when he came back with the number, I would have to have a speedometer on the trike. He didn't care it it worked, as long as it was mounted.
In the meantime, waiting for VIN, I had to get a copy of MVR-92h fill it out and get it notarized. On this form you give all the info you can about previous owner of car parts used and how you acquired them.
I also had to get two appraisals from two different motorcycle dealerships on company letterhead. This is for tax purposes. They value the trike on the higher of the two. Both did it by looking at pics on my smart phone.
Took about two weeks for DMV inspector to get back with me saying he had my new number. He applied the number to the frame (sticker) and took my paperwork. He then sent this to Raleigh for a new title.
Took six weeks to get the title back.
Since I don't have a trailer, I drove the trike to a local inspection and had it safety inspected. The inspector didn't want to do it without a registration card, but I reminded him that I couldn't get one without the inspection.
I took title and copies of the appraisals to my insurance agent and got an indemnity bond for 1.5 times the value of the trike. This is required because I didn't have the title for the VW parts, and I have to carry it for three years and can't sell the trike within that time. This bond protects me in case someone claims the parts are stolen by paying them the value and allowing me to keep my trike. I also got liability insurance on it.
Then it was off to the tag office with title, bond, insurance and inspection certificate to get registration, pay taxes and get tag.
So, if possible, GET A TITLE!!! Also he didn't tell me til his second visit, but I could have hauled the trike to a local DMV station and had it inspected there, saving about 2 months off the process I had to go through. Had I know that, I would have found someone with a trailer of built a tow hitch of my own.
I hope this helps anyone in NC building a trike!
Originally Posted by aussiepilch
