LMTV registration in California. BUYERS BEWARE

[tacosauce]

I'm running into roadblocks. DMV processed it with a referral to CHP for vin verification. Several offices are almost 2 months out for appointments. I was only able to talk with one officer. He was adamant that even if it is an RV, it cannot be considered anything other than a military vehicle for use off road.

 

[dxhend2]

I'm running into roadblocks. DMV processed it with a referral to CHP for vin verification. Several offices are almost 2 months out for appointments. I was only able to talk with one officer. He was adamant that even if it is an RV, it cannot be considered anything other than a military vehicle for use off road.

I've heard that it's really hit or miss depending on who you talk to. Sounds like another "opinion" without any basis in actual regulations. Maybe the best course of action would be to try other CHP stations until you find a "reasonable" opinion, rather than trying to argue the point with facts. All you need from them is to issue a VIN and move along.

I'll be going through this process next year for the first time myself; anticipating that to be one of the more difficult stages of the whole project. Wish I could give you a more specific recommendation, but from what I've seen here in the forums, it appears to be totally dependent on who you talk to. Hang in there!

 

[Wolfen]

Following

 

[Ohiobenz]

Is there any update from Duckworthe ???

 

[LibertyCinamon]

I've heard that it's really hit or miss depending on who you talk to. Sounds like another "opinion" without any basis in actual regulations. Maybe the best course of action would be to try other CHP stations until you find a "reasonable" opinion, rather than trying to argue the point with facts. All you need from them is to issue a VIN and move along.

I'll be going through this process next year for the first time myself; anticipating that to be one of the more difficult stages of the whole project. Wish I could give you a more specific recommendation, but from what I've seen here in the forums, it appears to be totally dependent on who you talk to. Hang in there!

Let us all know how the process goes and if you were successful. I am very interested in doing the same thing.

 

[Brian011952]

I copied this from the CA DMV's web site today. It seems the process is pretty straight forward. I haven't done this yet as I am picking my LMTV up this next week, but this is the route I plan to follow while making my attempt to register my new purchase.

7.075 U.S. Government Surplus Vehicles - California DMV

Surplus vehicles sold by the U.S. Government are considered an original registration. U.S. Government Surplus Registration Requirements Note A Sale of a surplus government vehicle is exempt from use tax if the Standard form 97 shows that the vehicle was sold under Government Code §201C or §481C...

www.dmv.ca.gov

 

[Blairg]

I copied this from the CA DMV's web site today. It seems the process is pretty straight forward. I haven't done this yet as I am picking my LMTV up this next week, but this is the route I plan to follow while making my attempt to register my new purchase.

7.075 U.S. Government Surplus Vehicles - California DMV

Surplus vehicles sold by the U.S. Government are considered an original registration. U.S. Government Surplus Registration Requirements Note A Sale of a surplus government vehicle is exempt from use tax if the Standard form 97 shows that the vehicle was sold under Government Code §201C or §481C...

www.dmv.ca.gov

Be prepared to go to the CHP if the truck has not been registered in California before.

Blair

 

[frank8003]

California is the absolute goffiest state, probably needs to be given back to Mexico.
If one reads the treaty one finds what the problem is
I don't think Texas would have anything to do with it.
Maybe, as the Wife says, California will fall into the ocean.

What the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo Actually Says – Race, Politics, Justice

 

[dxhend2]

I copied this from the CA DMV's web site today. It seems the process is pretty straight forward. I haven't done this yet as I am picking my LMTV up this next week, but this is the route I plan to follow while making my attempt to register my new purchase.

7.075 U.S. Government Surplus Vehicles - California DMV

Surplus vehicles sold by the U.S. Government are considered an original registration. U.S. Government Surplus Registration Requirements Note A Sale of a surplus government vehicle is exempt from use tax if the Standard form 97 shows that the vehicle was sold under Government Code §201C or §481C...

www.dmv.ca.gov

This is new (or maybe I just hadn't found it before). Seems straightforward and clear - should make it more reasonable (and consistent) from what I've heard of previous experiences.

Thanks for finding and sharing!

 

[adecaccia]

No doubt this thread will be moved, but I REALLY wish it wasn't. Why? Until a month ago I had no idea States were are the war path to pull us off the road. I did not follow the other areas of this site. NOW I WILL lol.

We need to be proactive. No, not raising an issue where there is no issue. That would be just plain stupid. I'm saying developing a coalition to monitor each state's legislative body. Maybe passing around the duty each month to members in each respective state to run a Bill / Legislative search. Donno...just brainstorming. We just have too much time and money invested to be only be permitted to drive off road and in parades, etc. Makes me sick to my stomach to think of all the trials and tribulations of getting these things running and keeping them running, for some legislator to deny us our fully hobby. This is America, not China!

Not for long!

 

[Satchaser]

I think trying to register an M1078 in California is only possible in two cases:
1) The person at the DMV your dealing with is incompetent and processes the title and registration against their own rules
2) You do a legitimate convert to an RV, which requires a permanent living quarters add on AND get the CHP sign off.

After much investigation and talking with friendly CHP's, it is against State Law to have a commercial vehicle with a Diesel engine older than 2010. Any vehicle that is GVWR over 11,500 Lbs. is Commercial UNLESS it is an Rv. To be an RV it must have a permanent living space (not something that can be removed).

Given that you have to weigh a truck in California to register it, I wonder if you could remove enough material from a M1078 to get it down to the 11,500 Lbs amount. Any ideas?

 

[Blairg]

I think trying to register an M1078 in California is only possible in two cases:
1) The person at the DMV your dealing with is incompetent and processes the title and registration against their own rules
2) You do a legitimate convert to an RV, which requires a permanent living quarters add on AND get the CHP sign off.

After much investigation and talking with friendly CHP's, it is against State Law to have a commercial vehicle with a Diesel engine older than 2010. Any vehicle that is GVWR over 11,500 Lbs. is Commercial UNLESS it is an Rv. To be an RV it must have a permanent living space (not something that can be removed).

Given that you have to weigh a truck in California to register it, I wonder if you could remove enough material from a M1078 to get it down to the 11,500 Lbs amount. Any ideas?

A couple things, The unfortunate thing about the CA DMV is that so many of their own people dont understand their own rules or know how to find the answers. CHP officers don't always know what they are enforcing or what they play in the role of registering vehicles. Its a confusing myriad of regulations and complicated updates to former rules and yet to be enforced rules. Also, once they tick all the boxes at the local DMV office its sent to a special unit in Sacramento to verify.

However, regarding the M1078. If it hasn't been in California it will need to be inspected at the DMV first. Apparently they can sign off on the VIn if necessary. Mine didn"t and I had to go to CHP. At he CHP, their job was to verify the VIN and assign the number based on the serial number. They also verified the emission sticker on top of the engine. I also, had the CARB exemption printed out in case that wasn"t enough. And like the Officers you talked to, he said it couldn't be registered. I believe his reference for military vehicles were Hummers which in fact are not legal to be registered. But in truth, he had nothing to do with the registration aside from verifying the VIN. Also, CARB has under the same category of diesel powered motor homes a section for <19,500 lb pickup trucks that are personal non commercial use providing it had a bed like a pickup truck. My truck is a 1997 A0 with a 3116 w/10,000 miles. So its a 50 state motor with sticker and Carb letter, over 7500 miles to be considered used and less then 19.,500 lbs for personal use. As of today I installed my rear box that will be the Habitat and I will need to jump through the hoops to convert it to an RV.

Blair

 

[Laharve]

I just bought a M1078 on GovPlanet. It will take a couple of months to get the paperwork signed off so they can release the truck to me. My intention is to register it in California. I am creating custom special project to support wildfire prevention out of it. After reading the above posts, this could go really bad for me and I might end up shipping the truck to New Mexico if CA won't play ball. I do have some experience with the DMV and often it seems you just have to find the right angle for the person behind the counter to issue the tags (see the tank story above).

I plan to fully document the adventure, and I am happy to share it with this group and others who want to hear my experience. I'll keep you posted.

Hey there,
I'm up in Cloverdale, did you ever have any luck getting your M1078 registered? I do know some of the commercial guys end up registering for partial year to save money if you cant convert it to RV status.
I want one too, it would fit well with my upcoming expedition camper build.

 

[frank8003]

California should take the politicians with them when the state falls into the ocean

 

[Satchaser]

Hey there,
I'm up in Cloverdale, did you ever have any luck getting your M1078 registered? I do know some of the commercial guys end up registering for partial year to save money if you cant convert it to RV status.
I want one too, it would fit well with my upcoming expedition camper build.

It is not registered yet. I am starting on strategy #3..... it will be slow going, I will update you.

 

[m35a22ton]

<br>
Are they grandfathering? <br>
<br>
This is cancer for military trucks. Who is behind this in California? Why are they doing this? Nobody has solid reasoning from officials as to why this is happening? Find it in the legislation. We need to find out. Freedom of information act. Head in the sand is not working and it won't protect other states either.<br>
<br>
You MUST watch your legislator VERY CAREFULLY. Monitoring bills can be automated. <br>
<br>
<a href="http://www.legislature.ca.gov/bill_information.html" target="_blank">http://www.legislature.ca.gov/bill_information.html</a><br>
<br>
Figure who sponsored the bill. Start arranging meetings with these folks. Start talking to veterans in CA. Gain support and LEVERAGE your way out of this. Heck, most of us would be willing to go door to door to get signatures in our state if we had to. I think people in general, would be supportive. Who wants to buy and insure a truck just for parades? 18 miles? Give me a break!

It is California a sh!t show ran by the lowest IQ people on earth voted in by people who want everything for free! They will call it going green, road safety but it is a power play and ego stroke!

 

[SgtMajHarper]

Reading the TX dune buggy/Sandrail debacle reminds me of what happened here within SS when Colorado passed their bill. The historical owners fought just to continue being able to drive their historical military vehicles. Once divided, eventually all will fall. We can't be "breed specific" because sooner or later they will come for your "breed".
With Colorado passing theirs, California was soon to follow. Then count on Washington, New York, New Jersey to be right on their heels.
It should be a mass, cohesive, joint and cooperative effort for ALL military vehicles to be allowed to be used in whatever way any other similar vehicle is used.... no parade or offroad BS!

Very forward thinking and correct......it took Colorado 1 year to no loner register historic military vehicles as street legal.....a few guys have managed to dodge the "offroad" lable and keep driving, but I imagine some troll is out there working from his moms garage I type trying to figure out how to get the rest.