Importing and title in Virginia (1 Viewer)

[slvyj]

And now you need to come to some club meetings too

On my list of things to do. Are they only in Springfield? I asked for it hard for me to get to Springfield during the week.

 

[slvyj]

Glad that you made it to Virginia! Thanks for paving the way with this thread as I was just about to post the exact same thread here. My orders are in and barring last minute changes I'll be back in the US by New Year's Eve. Once you get this all worked out let me know exactly which DMV office you end up at that is decent. So far the biggest heads up is that I need to get my title paperwork translated while I'm still here so that I can save a step down the road.
Regards,
John

DMV has a page for importing vehicles. CBP was easy but DMV was a pain in the rear. After dealing with the Fairfax District Manager, getting my State rep involved and talking with the DMV Commissioners office, I finally found a nice lady in Richmond who knew all about Salvadoran registration. I ended up filling out a VSA 12 "Affidavit in Lieu of Tittle Certificate", and sending it to Richmond.

I translated my own docs, that was the hold up. Even though the link says "English translations for all documents written exclusively in a foreign language" DMV Fairfax believed the proof of ownership docs have to be translated by either an Embassy or a foreign language school. My Salvadoran bill of sale was two pages long, I didn't want to have to pay for that, would have been close to $75.

 

[Volcano cruiser]

DMV has a page for importing vehicles. CBP was easy but DMV was a pain in the rear. After dealing with the Fairfax District Manager, getting my State rep involved and talking with the DMV Commissioners office, I finally found a nice lady in Richmond who knew all about Salvadoran registration. I ended up filling out a VSA 12 "Affidavit in Lieu of Tittle Certificate", and sending it to Richmond.

I translated my own docs, that was the hold up. Even though the link says "English translations for all documents written exclusively in a foreign language" DMV Fairfax believed the proof of ownership docs have to be translated by either an Embassy or a foreign language school. My Salvadoran bill of sale was two pages long, I didn't want to have to pay for that, would have been close to $75.

This link to Virginia DMV is very helpful, thanks. I will say that some of the language has me a little concerned.

"Motor vehicles manufactured less than 25 or more model years ago are subject to the federal motor vehicle safety requirements and cannot be titled or registered in Virginia without proof of conformity with the federal motor vehicle safety requirements.
DMV will only issue a certificate of title or a vehicle registration for an imported vehicle when the applicant submits proof that the vehicle complies with federal motor vehicle safety requirements. If the vehicle is exempt from the federal motor vehicle safety requirement, the vehicle may be registered only for a specified period."

My vehicle is a 1980 and as such exempt from the federal motor vehicle safety requierments by being almost 30 years old. Does that mean that I can only have it registered in Virginia for a set period of time, e.g. a year or five years? If so then what? Looks like I may have to call that DMV help line. Thanks very much.

 

[slvyj]

Mine is 35 years old, got the vintage/antique tags, good for life. Never have to register again. No inspection, which is a big plus. I think the part you highlight deals with non-US citizens importing vehicles. If you read the entire page, a lot of what it talks about deals with diplomats/military, US and foreign importing vehicles. I'm looking at my DoT form HS-7 and it does list exceptions for non-spec vehicles.

DMV help line will not be much help, all they do is read the same page I sent you. I know, I called them a couple of times.