How do you obtain a title?

[TBones12]

I went to the MVA in Maryland. The guy made me so made I had to say, 'THANK YOU' and walk away!!

I kept telling him the car did not come with a title. I bought it at a flea market type place (Hershey.) He kept telling me that all cars have a title. Of course they are suppose to come with a title. But not all cars bought at garage sales have a title. He did not offer advice or suggestions. He just kept telling me it has to have a title; all cars come with a title!! I said I know they come with titles but what if they don't? I said I know this happens to others. What do they do. He said they have titles. I was furious inside! He mentioned that only salvage vehicles get inspected by troopers. But did not explain what to do or where to go. I walked away.

A Model T friend told me that the state trooper will come to inspect the car to make sure it is not stolen. I checked the MVA website and I have to bring it there for inspection. But only if it is a salvage car and need a salvage certificate.

I will call the MVA 40 miles away and ask them by phone what to do if it is not a salvage car, and see if they have half a brain!

So back to the question. What do you model T'rs do when you do not have a title?

Thanks! Bob

[Philip]

not sure about there but in nc you ban get it inspected and then get a bonded title that is insured for 5 years
then in becomes a regular title.

[Norman Kling]

I have no idea about the laws in MD. But here in California, we have a fee called Non Operation, It costs a few dollars a year, but keeps the title open in my name or the name of the owner. If that fee is paid each year, all one needs to do to register it is to pay the current registration fees and is OK, however if the Non Operation fee is not paid, than the buyer might be liable for all the years registration fee.

Having said all that, when I bought a basket case, about 25 years ago, I got a bill of sale. Before I did any work, I took the engine number to a local person who handled vehicle registrations (Not the DMV). He came out and inspected what I had and verified the engine number. Then he went to the DMV and had the title cleared that it was not stolen or registered in another's name. I then got my title and paid for Non-operation until I was through restoring it. No problems.

Your state might be entirely different than it is here. If all else fails, you could find a car of the right year which is registered, and use the parts you bought on that car. Everything can be used or sold except the engine number cannot be used. Even a rolling chassis can be used if the serial number is registered.
Norm

[Scott_Conger]

https://cartitles.com/how-to-use-the-ve ... cle-title/
https://dmv.vermont.gov/faq/i-am-trying ... or-a-title

Registration instructions (what the Bill of Sale should have, particularly): https://dmv.vermont.gov/sites/dmv/files ... ctions.pdf

it's done all of the time

[RajoRacer]

In Washington State, one can apply for a TPO title - Title Purpose Only until such time it will need to be inspected at the WSP (Washington State Patrol) prior to being deemed road legal.

[TBones12]

Thank you!

I know this is done all the time. That is why I am so annoyed at the guy representing the MVA.

I just sent pictures to Hagerty. So, once it is titled I can test drive it on the street.

[Scott_Conger]

Bob

so you know, by "all the time" I meant pretty much anywhere but MD!

your DMV is where you finish this process, but there is no way to start it there. You are all but guaranteed to go to your grave before getting a MD DMV person to find anywhere in their rules where they can "create" a Title for you. That baby needs to pre-exist, and I think VT is where you could easily start. TN is the same, but am not sure that you will successfully do it long-distance. My dad did it in 5 minutes as a resident, by just walking in...

[pron022020]

I don't want to be this guy, but this is the reason you should avoid cars or projects without titles unless you are dead set on it or it is special. Nevertheless, that doesn't help you here. Dealing with the dmv is always a fun time. I just transferred a Model T title and registered it along with a Model A at my dmv a few months ago. It took about 20 minutes because I had somebody who was older and competent!! Surprises do happen, but it is a game of chance.
If you ever have problems like this, I would ask for the supervisor who usually knows more than they do. But the government is getting more and more in the habit of making really young, inexperienced people supervisors. If you really want to make their heads spin, try to tell them about YOM plates!

[GG Gregory]

I’m in Tn. The previous owner of My 27 roadster didn’t have a title. I went to our Courthouse and they did a title search and nothing was found. The lady told me to just get a rubbing of the engine number and bring it with my paperwork notarized. I was totally shocked that she even knew where the number was !!! Anyway, with the paperwork and number rubbing in hand, I paid the fee, I think $75 and walked away with a title and license plate.

[Ed Fuller]

You can get a title through Vermont as a nonresident. There is a ton of information online about it. Hagerty even wrote an article about it. There are YouTube videos that even walk you through filling out the forms.

[Dan Hatch]

Here we just drive them.

[Art Ebeling]

The last two antique cars I bought came from Maine which does not have title for vehicles older than 1995. In Illinois that information along with a bill of sale from the seller in Maine is all I needed to get a title. Easy Peasy, I think all my future antique car purchases will come from Maine.....

[TRDxB2]

I went to the MVA in Maryland. The guy made me so made I had to say, 'THANK YOU' and walk away!!

I kept telling him the car did not come with a title. I bought it at a flea market type place (Hershey.) .........
So back to the question. What do you model T'rs do when you do not have a title?
Thanks! Bob

Relax & regroup You may need to take a copy of the web page with you. Be polite and ask them to explain the Bill-of-Sale option.
If you purchased in Pennsylvania can we assume that you have a Bill of Sale as described below. If not do you have a Friend in Pennsylvania that can write? Sometimes the best way is to work through a Title service - they know who to work with to get it done. Its worth the fees
Can you register a car with a bill of sale and no title in MD?
Buying a vehicle with a bill of sale but no title is a bit tricky when it comes to registering the vehicle, but it can be done. You just need to complete a few steps, including obtaining a bonded title, and then you can claim the car as your own.

Titling used vehicles https://mva.maryland.gov/vehicles/Pages ... tling-used
To title and register yo​ur newly purchased used vehicle, you will need to submit the following documents, (along with payment for taxes and fees):
-Proof of ownership - The vehicle's current title has to be properly assigned to you. If the title was issued in Maryland, it can be used as your application for titling and registering the vehicle. If the vehicle is from a state that does not issue a title as proof of ownership, a registration document and a bill of sale may be submitted as proof of ownership.
-Application form - If the vehicle's current title was issued in Maryland, use it as your application form by completing the section entitled Application for Title and Registration. If not, use the application for certificate of title (https://mva.maryland.gov/Documents/VR-005.pdf). Be sure to include your insurance information. Your policy must conform to Maryland's minimum liability insurance requirements.
-Proof of purchase price - This should be a bill of sale signed by both the buyer(s) and seller(s). The bill of sale must be notarized if the following conditions apply:
​the vehicle is less than 7 years old; and
​the purchase price is at least $500 below the book value; and
​the new owner (buyer) wants to base the excise tax (more info below) calculation (6% of the vehicle's value) on the sale price rather than the book value.

The next step is get a Registration. A Registration ties the operator of the vehicle, vehicle, proof of its road worthiness, and insurance to a license plate so the car can be driven on roadways in the State. It is not the same as a Title. It takes more effort and requires the inspection "Vehicles manufactured at least 50 years before the current model year will be issued one registration plate to be displayed on the rear of the vehicel" https://mva.maryland.gov/Documents/VR-096.pdf

[Chris Haynes]

I often use the Lien Sale to obtain a title. Drop by your local Towing/Impound yard and ask them who conducts their Lien Sales. Here in Los Angeles I use Grant Lien Sales. They charge $75.00.

[Oldav8tor]

I've helped title two vehicles in Michigan - a 1952 Army Jeep and a 1922 Model T. I just followed the steps on the SOS website and was in and out of the SOS office in 20 minutes. The key is to have all your paperwork when you appear. I wouldn't pass on a good buy if it didn't have a title but that would lower the price a bit. I know other states throw more roadblocks in your way but in Michigan it is doable.

FWIW - Michigan does not save titles for cars more than 15 years. If you show up with an older title they will honor it but they won't have a record of it.

[tdump]

In every state it is a different set of rules,what works here ,may not work there.
I went thru the process here in NC and sure,it is a bunch of hoops,and some paper work.BUT if the vehicle in question is not stolen, and it is worth it to you ,jump thru the hoops. NOW,the mistake I made,and the reason mine is titled as a 1920 replica,is because I told the dmv inspector the rear axle and wheels were 26-27 for safety upgrades,so I could use large drum aux brakes and such. Since it was not all the same year parts, he said the state could not title any other way. I said,call it a Ford Granada if it will get me road legal.

[ironhorse]

Come to Florida! Show them your bill of sale, Tell them what model(tudor, fordor,touring,Roadster) and year take them outside and let them see the
Engine # Go home sit back with suds and wait 2 to 3 weeks for your title to come in the mail.