Moving To PHX - Registration Q's (1 Viewer)

[Beams37]

Hey guys,

I've lived in the valley before, but it was years ago. I have a desmogged FJ62. Here in NC, I don't need an inspection or emissions at all. I was talking to a friend and he said I will need to pass emissions or figure out an alternate solution. I've read a few threads, but still have a few questions.

What are the odds I could pass an inspection? LOL​

I'm currently exploring the Montana LLC process. Is it like California where the cops are driving around looking to crack down? This seems like the simplest process, but not sure how flexible the government is in AZ.​

To reduce the costs with the LLC, could I just get a mailbox that offers a physical address somewhere in northern AZ? Do I need a physical address in one of those counties?​

Any additional insights or information are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[yotadude520]

Our emissions standards aren’t like California or anything here, you’d probably have a decent chance of passing.

To register it out of county you’ll need a physical address with your name on it. They’ll ask for it when you register here.

 

[toy_tek]

Desmogged 62? No way you'll pass Phx or Tucson emissions. Mine is all factory stock and I had one VSV fail 2 years ago, it did not pass the Phx emissions test. Replaced the VSV and was back to passing.

Any county other than Pima or Maricopa can get you around the emissions requirement (although not legally if the truck is driven daily in Maricopa). The other alternative is to get a "classic" insurance policy BEFORE you try to register the vehicle. There are certain driving limitations based on the company you go with and the policy though. I did that for 2 years then got my truck to pass emissions and went back to "normal" insurance.

Note: Classic insurance, Classic registration, and Classic (historic) plates are 3 different things in AZ. They are all mutually exclusive.

 

[yotadude520]

Desmogged 62? No way you'll pass Phx or Tucson emissions. Mine is all factory stock and I had one VSV fail 2 years ago, it did not pass the Phx emissions test. Replaced the VSV and was back to passing.

Any county other than Pima or Maricopa can get you around the emissions requirement (although not legally if the truck is driven daily in Maricopa). The other alternative is to get a "classic" insurance policy BEFORE you try to register the vehicle. There are certain driving limitations based on the company you go with and the policy though. I did that for 2 years then got my truck to pass emissions and went back to "normal" insurance.

Note: Classic insurance, Classic registration, and Classic (historic) plates are 3 different things in AZ. They are all mutually exclusive.

Didn’t read it was desmogged - definitely won’t pass then!

 

[Beams37]

Yeah. Read about the classic insurance, registration, plates thing. Really don't like restrictions.

Sounds like LLC might be my best option.

 

[rick_d]

If you can develop a rural registration address you are eligible to purchase 5 year registrations. I think they are still $65 for all five years.

 

[jkl72-40]

I went classic car and didnt have to smog at all with my 94 80.. Just make sure you have classic car insurance before you go to register it. Also you need to have a few vehicle with regular insurance as well. I deal with 3rd party DMV.

 

[yotadude520]

I wouldn't recommend getting a classic car insurance policy - they usually have really strict limitations on when and what you can drive your vehicle for. Any off-road use and long road trips is usually not covered. If you go that route definitely read the exclusion forms to get a better idea of what is covered.

 

[peacesells63]

If you are primarily driving in maricopa county, you have to pass maricopa county smog. Not sure how, but they figure it out pretty quick if you have out of county registration and they will go after you for it.

 

[msahr]

Are you bringing that 81 Pickup, too?

All I do for ALL my 5 classic rigs is use Hagerty. They're incredibly easy to deal with. Just call them up ahead of time. All you need is a VIN and an address where the vehicle will be parked. Get the insurance, print the proof card, go to a 3rd party with the insurance card, the title, and around $100 or so.

You don't have to have a classic or antique plate (although the classic plate is still a heavy embossed plate not the cheap aluminum printed one). You can get a standard plate, even a personalized one.

I've never had to worry about emissions tests, mileage or usage restrictions, parking restrictions, etc.

Super easy deal. I live in Pinal County, used to be in Maricopa, no difference at all.

 

[msahr]

If you are primarily driving in maricopa county, you have to pass maricopa county smog. Not sure how, but they figure it out pretty quick if you have out of county registration and they will go after you for it.

I highly doubt this.

 

[msahr]

Also, you can get multi-year registrations with classic insurance / vintage registration. I just got a 5-year extension on my 85 4Runner.

 

[jkl72-40]

Are you bringing that 81 Pickup, too?

All I do for ALL my 5 classic rigs is use Hagerty. They're incredibly easy to deal with. Just call them up ahead of time. All you need is a VIN and an address where the vehicle will be parked. Get the insurance, print the proof card, go to a 3rd party with the insurance card, the title, and around $100 or so.

You don't have to have a classic or antique plate (although the classic plate is still a heavy embossed plate not the cheap aluminum printed one). You can get a standard plate, even a personalized one.

I've never had to worry about emissions tests, mileage or usage restrictions, parking restrictions, etc.

Super easy deal. I live in Pinal County, used to be in Maricopa, no difference at all.

X2!

 

[yotadude520]

Are you bringing that 81 Pickup, too?

All I do for ALL my 5 classic rigs is use Hagerty. They're incredibly easy to deal with. Just call them up ahead of time. All you need is a VIN and an address where the vehicle will be parked. Get the insurance, print the proof card, go to a 3rd party with the insurance card, the title, and around $100 or so.

You don't have to have a classic or antique plate (although the classic plate is still a heavy embossed plate not the cheap aluminum printed one). You can get a standard plate, even a personalized one.

I've never had to worry about emissions tests, mileage or usage restrictions, parking restrictions, etc.

Super easy deal. I live in Pinal County, used to be in Maricopa, no difference at all.

I had Hagerty insure my 1987 Toyota Pickup that I had repainted after a bad hail storm and the policy I had excluded any off-road use.

I'm a commercial insurance agent here in Tucson and would really recommend reading the policy to get a better scope of what is excluded, regardless of what they might tell you up front. It's the only way to know what you're paying for.

Just to add to this - pulled this from Hagerty's website directly: Does my vehicle qualify?

And here:

Unless you never take your 62 series off-road and are bone stock, you're basically self insuring as they are not going to pay anything when a claim arises.

 

[Beams37]

I wouldn't recommend getting a classic car insurance policy - they usually have really strict limitations on when and what you can drive your vehicle for. Any off-road use and long road trips is usually not covered. If you go that route definitely read the exclusion forms to get a better idea of what is covered.

Yeah. This is a big concern of mine.

 

[Beams37]

Are you bringing that 81 Pickup, too?

All I do for ALL my 5 classic rigs is use Hagerty. They're incredibly easy to deal with. Just call them up ahead of time. All you need is a VIN and an address where the vehicle will be parked. Get the insurance, print the proof card, go to a 3rd party with the insurance card, the title, and around $100 or so.

You don't have to have a classic or antique plate (although the classic plate is still a heavy embossed plate not the cheap aluminum printed one). You can get a standard plate, even a personalized one.

I've never had to worry about emissions tests, mileage or usage restrictions, parking restrictions, etc.

Super easy deal. I live in Pinal County, used to be in Maricopa, no difference at all.

Unfortunately, it went to a new home in CA. LOL

 

[peacesells63]

I highly doubt this.

you doubt what, the law?

 

[toy_tek]

I've never had to worry about …, mileage or usage restrictions,

I've had Hagerty policies 3 different times on 3 different vehicles. They all had use restrictions (as pointed out above), and I recall a mileage limitation on at least one of them. Typically they allow use for club events, parades and driving to the repair shop... and not much else. Definitely suggest that you might check your policies closely so that you don't end up with an unwanted surprise. They won't show it on the documents sent via email (I just checked my old emails right now) - you'll need to login and review all the policy documents.

 

[msahr]

you doubt what, the law?

Well damn. What a bunch of absolute BS. Good thing I live in the arbitrary "Area A" so I don't have to worry about it, but still. More government overreach.

 

[Pitch]

On the Hagerty stipulations… Forest/BLM roads are indeed “roads.” So “off road” would be traveling in non-numbered washes, b-line obstacles, rock crawling etc, no? It does not say “off-pavement.” Heck, if it did, some of this group’s driveways would exclude their coverages. (**Not professional advice at all here, I’m just challenging the verbiage ).

A friend flopped her JK on it’s lid on the Broken Arrow trail in Sedona years ago while testing the limits of her suspension. It was “covered” by insurance due to being on a numbered road. It was a reeeeeeallly extreme example of a numbered road, but a numbered road nevertheless. Not sure of the ins company, but doubtful it was Hagerty FWIW.