Bill in Michigan to Expand On-Road Status for HMMWV as Military Vehicle

Senate Bill in Michigan to Expand On-Road Status for HMMWV as Military Vehicle.

Be sure to contact your Michigan elected officials and urge them to support this bill!

•  S.B. 1040 amends the definition of “historic vehicle” to include military surplus vehicles more than 25 years old.
   
• S.B. 1040 defines “Military Surplus Vehicle” in the Michigan Vehicle Code as a high mobility, multipurpose wheeled vehicle (or “HMMWV,” a vehicle more commonly known as a HUMVEE) or a motor vehicle manufactured for military usage that was manufactured by or under the direction of the United States Armed Forces or any other country and was subsequently authorized for sale to civilians.  “Military Surplus Vehicle” does not include a tracked vehicle or a half-tracked vehicle.
   
• By including “Military Surplus Vehicle” in the vehicle code, the bill allows for the registration of a military vehicle through the regular registration process if the vehicle meets all applicable safety and emissions standards.
   

Overview: Legislation (S.B. 1040) allows for the registration of a “Military Surplus Vehicle” as a “historic vehicle.”  “Historic vehicle” means a vehicle that is over 25 years old, and that is owned solely as a collector’s item and for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and similar uses, including mechanical testing, but is not used for general transportation. Use of the vehicle during the month of August in each year is considered an exhibition. The bill has been referred to the Senate Transportation Committee.

You can use this link to contact your officials: HERE

Bill in Michigan to Expand On-Road Status for HMMWV as Military Vehicle

The full bill can be seen HERE

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Oregon Considering Allowing On-Road HMMWV/Humvee

It appears that Oregon is considering registering Humvee’s as “Antique” vehicles for on-road use.
If you live in Oregon, be sure to contact your state legislature and request that they support this bill.

This development could make it much easier to title/register any Hmmwv for later transfer to another state.

Check out this article:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/oregon/articles/2017-03-14/oregon-drivers-may-share-roads-with-military-surplus-humvees

A special thanks to Wayne Huntley to forwarding this information to us.

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HMMWV Street Legal Titling Status by State

It has been some time since www.hummersurplusparts.com started our research regarding on-the-road titling of HMMWV’s (Humvee). We have learned much from our readership, customers, and enthusiasts. Many of our commenting readers have successfully titled, tagged, and insured their new warhorse, while many are still navigating the red tape that their home state’s DMV or DoD has created.

Rumor has it, part of all this debacle comes from the position AM General has taken attempting to mitigate liability for highway use of its HMMWV variants sold by the DoD to the general public. There are also theories that indicate that AM General is protecting the sales of its H1 by forcing Off Road Only EUC’s on DoD Surplus Humvee purchasers. Regardless of the actual reason, the fact is that if you buy a HMMWV from Iron Planet (or any DoD source in the future), it is expected that the vehicle is to remain off-road use only; most states/localities are attempting to comply with this fact.

There are a few major pieces of information we are sure about:

The fact that basic common courtesy, calm-assertiveness, and low-key approaches to gaining a clean title are pivotal to accomplishing this task. We can not stress this enough: DO NOT piss off your DMV representatives; these are the people that will ultimately be your first and last contact with getting your title and tags. Kindness and patience will be the key here.

Second, it seems that transferring a clean title from a more favorable state is the easiest and least cumbersome way to acquire a title – there are many companies out there willing to act as a broker in this situation (research your company prior to using them to ensure that they are trustworthy).

Third, terminology is everything; if you are at all concerned that your state will give you trouble, use less common terms for your Humvee (while avoiding at all cost known terms such as Humvee, HMMWV, or Hummer). Many of the motor vehicle departments have memos which outline what to do when such terms are used. Use instead: M998 (or other alpha-numeric designation as on your ID plates), AM General UT, or Utility Truck – just be sure to keep your cool when dealing with difficult personnel, another office or employee may not turn you down if no reports of unruly customers with Humvee requests are made.

And finally, be patient. Do not rush through your documents gathering process or grow impatient with your motor vehicle office; you will get denied or worse, create a situation where all the other new HMMWV owners may become unable to use your state for titling.

On a side note, get your SF-97, bill of sale, and/or FL Title (if still available) prior to attempting to tag and title your Humvee. As to which document to request, there is not a clear picture of whether the SF-97 or FL title will make the process easier – hopefully our blog commentators will keep an up to date picture of this situation. This will vary from state to state.

HMMWV Street Legal Titling Status by State

Alabama – No data at this time.

Alaska – No Data at this time.

Arizona – Mixed Reports; Some Off-Road Only, some reports of OHV title – Use 3rd party titling agency such as MVD-ADOT

Arkansas – No Data at this time.

California – Possible, will require substantial work. Successful one-day permit has been issued in several instance. Further success not known.

Colorado – not yet determined; promising leads. Reports of referals for off-road only to Parks and Recreation MV Dept.; others have not had denials and are still negotiating the MV chain of command.

Connecticut – No data at this time.

Delaware – No replies, but may be promising; try your local DMV office.

Florida – Mixed / Earlier successes. Reports of FL Off-Road titles being stalled by state.
Several purchasers have acquired legal on-the-road titles. The DMV in FL has become aware and made many of its offices and personnel aware of an Off-Road only policy. Tread carefully.

Georgia – Reports of successful titling. Proceed with caution and carefully deal with DMV. Most have been successful with SF-97, a few have transferred in the FL title and converted to road use.  Third party titling agencies may exist in this state.

Hawaii – No. Off Road Only. (feel free to try; don’t take our word for it).

Idaho – No data at this time.

Illinois – Collector plates / historical title/tag possible. No other data available.

Indiana – No data at this time.

Iowa – No data at this time.

Kansas – No data at this time.

Kentucky – Rumor of clear title; no actual data. Proceed with caution.

Louisiana – No data at this time.

Maine – No data at this time.

Maryland – Clean title possible. Suggest using 3rd Party Titling agency (such as TNT-TAGS). Historic tags may be issued.

Massachusetts – No data at this time.

Michigan – Off Road Only; DO NOT USE “HUMVEE” – Title will not be issued. Noted as hostile to OHV use of HMMWV. Proceed with caution if OHV title is desired in this state.

Minnesota – Mixed reports. Most indicate Minnisota is a “NO-GO” and is hostile to OHV titling. May depend on DMV office and personnel in question.

Mississippi – No data at this time.

Missouri – No data at this time.

Montana – No data at this time.

Nebraska – No data at this time.

Nevada – No data at this time.

New Hampshire – No data at this time.

New Jersey – Unknown status; several inquiries have been made, no replies. Proceed with caution.

New Mexico – No data at this time.

New York – No data at this time.

North Carolina – Mixed reports; difficult in most instances. Will vary by county and DMV office; most have had success transferring in FL or other title. SF-97 seems to be a “NO-GO.” Suggest proceeding with caution.

North Dakota – No data at this time.

Ohio – Reports of Off-Road Only.

Oklahoma – No data at this time.

Oregon – Rumor of 3rd Party Titling agency success. Tags have been sighted on HMMWV’s recently purchased. Unknown details.

Pennsylvania – No data at this time; inquiries have been reported, but no known progress.

Rhode Island – No data at this time.

South Carolina – Title possible; suggest proceeding without “Data Plate” from military. Call state and request VIN, inspection, and follow instructions of the inspector. You will likely want to avoid common terms like HMMWV/HUMVEE.

South Dakota – Off Road Titles only; inquiries made, no replies at this time.

Tennessee – No data at this time.

Texas – Off Road Only; DMV will inspect. Massive modifications required. Still awaiting update/response. Proceed with caution.

Utah – Reports of successful titles; no known process. Suggest 3rd Party Titling Agency. Plan B manages to title in this state.

Vermont – Possible. Use 3rd Party Titling Agency. (viable for transfer into most states).

Virginia – No known success; suggest Farm Use or Antique tags; massive modifications required for OHV Title; vehicle will be inspected.

Washington – No data at this time.

West Virginia – No data at this time.

Wisconsin – Collector plates possible. No further reports.

Wyoming – No data at this time.

US TERRITORY – St. Thomas – US VIRGIN ISLAND – 3rd Party Titling Agency may be possible for transfer; proceed with caution.

We hope this list will be helpful, feel free to comment with any success or failure in your state. We will update this list as reports come in. Don’t get discouraged, just keep trying and stay positive!

Note: This article is based on comments and emails received; the information conveyed in this blog article is only expected to be used as a starting point and may contain inaccuracies as the conditions, laws, execution, and processes are often relative to the office, personnel, and jurisdiction in question. Check the laws in your state; it is your responsibility to comply with them – www.hummersurplusparts.com bears no responsibility in this situation (know before you go to the DMV) – this article is provided for general information only; title at your own risk.

HMMWV Street Legal Titling Status by State

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Street Legal HMMWV Humvee via Farm Use

Looking for another alternative to getting that HMMWV / Humvee on the road? Well, there just may be a nice loophole in your state! If you are currently engaged in some sort of agricultural business, you can potentially tag your new road warrior as Farm Use!

Keep in mind, this tag and designation does come with some stipulations. Typically, the vehicle cannot be used for any purpose other than farm related business – that means, do not let the State Trooper catch you at Hardee’s buying lunch! As we understand it, several counties have scrutinized farm use vehicles and heavy tickets have been given to those not following the rules.

As for the specifics, here is the information available in detail from the VA DMV website:

Unregistered Farm Vehicles (Farm Use)

Unregistered Vehicle Conditions

1. You are not required to register a vehicle (obtain license plates and decals) or pay a registration fee for any pickup or panel truck, sport utility vehicle, vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds, trailer, or semitrailer used exclusively for agricultural or horticultural purposes on lands owned or leased by the vehicle’s owner. Although registration is not required, such vehicles must be titled. This registration exemption applies only to vehicles that are not operated on or over any public highway for any purpose other than:
   • crossing a highway;
   • operating along a highway for a distance of no more than fifty (50) miles from one part of the owner’s land to another, irrespective of whether the tracts adjoin;
   • taking the vehicle or attached fixtures to and from a repair shop for repairs;
   • taking another vehicle exempt from registration under any provision of Va. Code §§ 46.2-664 through 46.2-668 or § 2-672, or any part or subcomponent of such a vehicle, to or from a repair shop for repairs, including return trips;
   • operating along a highway to and from a refuse disposal facility for the purpose of disposing of trash and garbage generated on a farm; or
   • operating along a highway for a distance of no more than fifty (50) miles for the purpose of obtaining supplies for agricultural or horticultural purposes, seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, or animal feed. (Va. Code § 2-665)
2. You are not required to register or pay a registration fee for any vehicle with a securely attached machine for spraying fruit trees and other plants cultivated by the owner or lessee of the vehicle. (Va. Code § 2-664)
3. You are not required to register or pay a registration fee for any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or fertilizer spreader drawn by a farm tractor used by a farmer, his tenant, agent or employee or a cotton ginner, peanut buyer, or fertilizer distributor to transport unginned cotton, peanuts, or fertilizer owned by the farmer, cotton ginner, peanut buyer, or fertilizer distributor from one farm to another, from farm to gin, from farm to dryer, from farm to market, or from fertilizer distributor to farm and on return to the distributor. However, this exemption does not apply to vehicles operated on a for-hire basis. (Va. Code § 2-672)
4. You are not required to register or pay a registration fee for any pickup or panel truck, sport utility vehicle, vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds, trailer, or semitrailer owned by the owner or lessee of a farm and used by the owner on a seasonal basis in transporting farm produce and livestock along public highways for a distance of no more than fifty (50) miles, including the distance to the nearest storage house, packing plant, or market. Although registration is not required, such vehicles must be titled. (Va. Code § 2-666)
5. You are not required to title, register or pay a registration fee for a farm tractor (VA Code § 2-600).
6. You are not required to register or pay a registration fee for any farm machinery or tractor when operated on a highway (i) between one tract of land and another regardless of whether the land is owned by the same person or (ii) to and from a repair shop for repairs. (Va. Code § 2-667)
7. You are not required to register or pay a registration fee for any farm vehicle if the vehicle is making a return trip from any marketplace, transporting back to the farm ordinary and essential food and other products for home and farm use, or transporting farm supplies to the farm. (Va. Code § 2-673)

Exemptions for Sawmill Operators and Farmers Transporting Wood Products

• Tractors, trailers, log carts or similar vehicles owned by a sawmill operator are exempt from registration when the vehicle is operated along a highway from one sawmill or sawmill site to another, to or from a repair shop for repairs or across a highway from one adjoining tract of land to another. (Va. Code § 2-669)
• Pickup or panel trucks, sport utility vehicles, vehicles having a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 7,500 pounds, trailers and semi-trailers owned by a farm owner are exempt from registration (but must be titled) when they are used for no more than 20 miles between a sawmill or sawmill site and the farm to transport sawdust, wood shavings, slab wood, and other wood wastes. (Va. Code § 2-670)

Insurance Requirements

Insurance may not be required for an unregistered vehicle; however, as the owner of the vehicle you may be held responsible for any liability. Check with your insurance agent about your insurance needs.

You can see the full details here http://www.dmv.state.va.us/vehicles/#farm.asp (Commonwealth of Virginia). Certainly other states have similar avenues.

Now, given all that red tape, this option may not be for all new HMMWV owners, but at least it is an option available to us. For all of our blog readers not here in Virginia, feel free to post any information about your state’s laws and this way of “tagging” your Humvee.

 

Street Legal HMMWV Humvee via Farm Use

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