Street Legal HMMWV Update
We have had a great deal of interest in our prior post “Street Legal HMMWV” and have gotten much information from both our readership/customers as well as from the official sources here in Virginia.
Our last contact with the Virginia State Police Safety Division, the organization responsible for the inspection required for issuance of the VIN, road safety, and to approve the DMV to issue the Tag/Title, the officer indicated that in Virginia to get a vehicle approved for road use, there were equipment upgrades necessary:
“To make this vehicle legal for the road, it is going to be very difficult. This vehicle is designed for off road use only.
To bring the vehicle into compliance and be legal for road use, it will have to meet all Federal DOT standards for the year of the vehicle.
Some of these standards will include vehicle lighting, airbags, instrument gauges, and seat belts.
I would suggest you begin with the Federal Department of Transportation and get the manufacturer standards for the vehicle you wish to make legal for the road.
I would think your biggest issue is going to be with the airbags.”
His response did not quite fit our opinion and prior knowledge on how most vehicles are treated during this titling, inspection, and registration process (several of our warehouse employees have done so with classic muscle cars). Most of the time, if the vehicle was produced without a particular feature, it was grandfathered in and such a feature was not required -yes, we know that the Federal Standards were already in place in this instance, but nevertheless, the HMMWV’s were produced from the factory without such features.
Basically, until another Virginia resident successfully titles their Humvee in this drawn out process, it is our recommendation to have it titled out of state and transfer the title in; there is a completely differing set of rules that govern such transactions.
We have reports of titles being issued in Georgia with some paperwork in addition to inspections and visits to their titling office (see our prior post’s comments here). There is also a note that GovPlanet is offering Florida titles for a fee at the time of purchase – it is unknown at this time as to whether they are off-road/road use titles – such a title will make it a common transaction to transfer a title into any state; hopefully, these titles will be of the common road use variety. Hopefully, these routes will not require pouring over the Federal DOT list of safety standards that are being pushed upon Virginia residents trying to title their Humvee for road use.
The point here is that there is light at the end of the bureaucratic tunnel. It seems that the biggest hurdle has been combating the state employee’s lack of knowledge on how to properly title these surplus DoD Humvees to make them Street Legal. The best advise our team here at www.hummersurplusparts.com can give is to keep at it, keep going back, and just show persistence that these officials are unable to ignore.
If you have success or a “teachable moment” in your titling process, we would love to hear from you and share with our other readers/customers on our blog.
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Thanks guys for keeping us posted. I think it’ll be hard for them to use airbags against IMHO. The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 reads that trucks specifically weren’t required to have airbags until Sept. 1st 1998 to allow manufactures to overhaul their factories if necessary. But like you said it all depends on who you get I suppose. I’ll keep you guys posted on what I find out.
http://ntl.bts.gov/DOCS/istea.html
New trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles.-The amendment shall take effect for 80 percent of each manufacturer’s annual production of trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles described in subsection (a)(1)(A) and manufactured on and after September 1, 1997, and before September 1, 1998, and for 100 percent of each manufacturer’s production of such trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles manufactured on and after September 1, 1998. Subject to the provisions of subsection (c), the percentage prescribed for such trucks, buses, and multipurpose passenger vehicles manufactured on and after September 1, 1998, shall be met entirely by inflatable restraints (accompanied by lap and shoulder belts) for both front outboard seating positions. The incentives or credits available under Standard 208 (as amended by this section) prior to September 1, 1998, shall not be available to the manufacturers to comply with the 100 percent requirement of this paragraph on and after such date.
Good deal, that was what we were thinking; the link and info is much appreciated. We have been keeping our requests spaced to keep from throwing too many red flags in the hopes of preventing a massive DMV education effort of employees that might hinder the titling process. We can only see what develops.
IronPlanet had hoped demand would still be solid despite the vehicles lacking roadworthiness; notwithstanding a few Ted Nugents, it was unclear how many they d actually sell. This time, however, they won t be restricted only to private off-road usage; these army-spec Humvees will be capable of being approved for street legal use as well.
That would be ideal. Of course, this may just be a ploy to increase bid price.
Still not street legal, and can’t find anything to the contrary… Plan B Supply is getting special treatment and won’t talk about how…
Given the anecdotes about titling and registering HMMWV’s, they either found a “golden” DMV worker or know someone. It does make a difference.
Hello all, I live in Texas and I am looking to purchase one as well, and have been reading feverishly regarding the process to make it roadworthy. Now, with the airbag law in mind, does that mean for instance, a 2004 Humvee with no air bags cant be made street legal at all in any state??? So I need to be looking at ones that are prior to 1998?? TY
Hello all! Just to give you a heads up…if you get a Florida title, you WILL NOT be able to get it tagged. I spent a few hours today on the phone today with a few different people from the DMV and DHSMV and the outcome is that if the title says “OFF ROAD USE ONLY” the state of Florida cannot – and will not do a title re-classification to be able to drive it on the road.
Also per the DHSMV, you can use a SF-97 AND a Bill of Sale to get a title…but if the SF-97 says “OFF ROAD USE ONLY”, then guess what? Can’t register it as an on-road vehicle. *sigh*
Basically, it’ll be easier to get it titled elsewhere and then transfer it in…and currently need help with that. I hear GA is easy, but would like to know the process…
That is the same thing that we are hearing; GA may be the only real solution to this problem. Hopefully, an entrepreneurial individual will step forward in GA to assist all of us who want those clean titles.
That would be nice.
I took the time to make sure my Humvee was road worthy…and even submitted it for “Consideration to make street legal”. Was approved, but can’t figure out what to do with it now. I cancelled the title, and decided to go the route with just a Bill of Sale and see where I can get with that…
Do not purchase if you live in Florida. They will not give you a title and gov planet will not give you a SF-97. As of 3-21-16
Some of this can’t be valid. DDR Motorsports makes a kit car modeled after the McLarren F1.
They’ve titled them in FL very recently.
No airbags. No emissions tests.
Try the good folks at MotoRecycle. Though they specialize in lost titles for motorcycles, they can help you with an AM General 1.25 ton light utility truck (go ahead, check your nameplate, I’ll wait).
I now have Vermont plates and transferable registration (they don’t title older than 10 years). There is no reason I can’t transfer it to VA and obtain title, though I may wait so as to get my money’s worth from the VT plates. Takes about 4 weeks total. Wasn’t as costly as I expected.
It helps if your Hmmwv is >25yo, so eligible for antique plates.
Email motorecycle via their website, ask for Justin.
http://www.motorecyclenow.com/contact-us.html
Alex
Hey Alex: If you don’t mind I would love to talk to you about your experience with Motorecycle. I will more than likely go this route. Mine is finally ready. You can reach me at chadrichardson2000@yahoo.com.
Here is the most updated information from Florida as of 06/14/2016:
“The final ruling from our legal Department was: While Hummers and kit cars are legal to drive on the roads and highways, Humvees are not. Humvees are specifically manufactured for military use. The Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin for Humvees clearly states, “For Off-Road Use Only.” Humvees are not manufactured for use on public roads and highways. All of Iron Planet’s Humvee purchasers, including KT Performance, are required to sign a Waiver and Hold Harmless Agreement acknowledging that a Humvee is not roadworthy and is for off-highway use only.
Unfortunately, some Humvees have been titled in error by tax collectors and/or private tag agencies as Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV) even though Humvees do not meet Florida’s statutory definition of an OHV.
Section 317.0003, Florida Statutes, defines an OHV as “any ATV, two-rider ATV, ROV, or OHM that is used off the roads or highways of this state and that is not registered and licensed for highway use pursuant to chapter 320.”
An ATV is an “all-terrain vehicle” and is defined as “any motorized off-highway vehicle 50 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of 1,200 pounds or less, designed to travel on three or more nonhighway tires, and manufactured for recreational use by one or more persons.”
An ROV is “any motorized recreational off-highway vehicle 65 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of 2,000 pounds or less, designed to travel on four or more nonhighway tires, and manufactured for recreational use by one or more persons.”
An OHM is an “off-highway motorcycle” and is defined as “any motor vehicle used off the roads or highways of this state that has a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and is designed to travel with no more than two wheels in contact with the ground, but excludes a tractor or a moped.”
Humvees are too large to meet the statutory definition of an ATV or ROH and do not meet the definition of an OHM because they have more than two wheels in contact with the ground. Therefore, they may not be titled as OHVs. Additionally, they may not be titled as custom vehicles because a custom vehicle, like a street rod, is “a motor vehicle that has been altered from the manufacturer’s original design or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.”
However, Humvees may be titled as former military vehicles. As former military vehicles, Humvees may be operated off-road on private property without displaying a license plate or registration insignia. They may also be driven in exhibitions, parades, and for public display. To maintain a former military vehicle plate, a Humvee must maintain its military design and markings accurately.
Pursuant to section 320.086(5), Florida Statutes, “a former military vehicle that is used only in exhibitions, parades, or public display is exempt from the requirement to display a license plate or registration insignia if the exemption is necessary to maintain the vehicle’s accurate military markings. However, the license plate and registration certificate issued under this section must be carried within the vehicle and available for inspection by any law enforcement officer.”
Section 320.086(6), Florida Statutes, defines a former military vehicle as “a vehicle, including a trailer, regardless of the vehicle’s size, weight, or year of manufacture, that was manufactured for use in any country’s military forces and is maintained to represent its military design and markings accurately.”
A vehicle which is “Assembled from Parts” (ASPT) is defined in section 319.14(1)(c)4., Florida Statutes, as assembled from parts or combined from parts of motor vehicles, new or used. A “Kit car” is defined in section 319.41(1)(c)5., Florida Statutes, as a motor vehicle assembled with a kit supplied by a manufacturer to rebuild a wrecked or outdated motor vehicle with a new body kit.
While an ASPT vehicle or kit car may be similar to a Humvee, the fact remains that these vehicles are manufactured for use on the public roads and highways while military Humvees are manufactured “For Off-Road Use Only.”
Florida’s reason for not giving it full Road use title is a crock because H1 are the same size dimensions everything except the interior is just nicer with AC
We have heard rumblings that AM General has a great deal of influence that causes much of this situation.
I have a 92 M998 that I want to title for road use in Texas. Requested the SF97 from GovPlanet.. Plan B can do a Utah title for ROAD use for 2500.00.. State of Texas says I can then transfer that title to my home state. Has anyone worked with Plan B before? How has their experience been?
We have heard a great deal about Plan B; this is the first for them doing the title only. Keep in mind that once you have that title, the value of the truck jumps greatly. Thank you for sharing.
Motorecycle title cost almost a tenth of that and for transferrable Vermont registration (no titles in VT >10 years old) and 1yr antique license plate. That was for my 1987. 1992 is a little different story, but doesn’t sound like a $2500 story.
Did you try Motorecycle?
Vermont is a great place to title things; we have used them for vettes and novas in the past. The only downside is that you have to prove you paid tax in your state to avoid them taxing you as well. The last vette we did cost about $4500 in taxes and fees.
I just confirmed with Scott at Plan B, they will road title it for Utah, and do basic maintenance check.. Have you guys heard that they are a good vendor to do business with?
Just talked to the local GovPlanet resource… he’s saying they are doing road titles in California with little to any headaches… Wish I could get a resource in Texas, that knew… Tempted to have it shipped to Texas and avoid the fees…
Randy, what part of Texas are you in?
Dallas. I got a road title.. for it. Just had to show the work we did to make it safe for the road, and get a safety inspection.
I’m in SA and still waiting on my SF97. I’m weighing out all my options. There is a guy in Austin who claims he can get one registered in no time. Or I may go the Vermont route with Moto recycle. What work did you have to do to make it safe for the road to satisfy Texas?
I was looking into this for Florida, bad news. Last update was a memo circulated to all licensing offices on 9/9/2016. For any auctioned HMMWV sold with the Form 97 “off road use only” designation, the state of Florida will now only title and tag it under “former military vehicle”. This by law means on the roads, it can only be used for parades, events, and public displays, but otherwise not legal for on road use. So our only option would be finding another state that would title it as any other Commercially sold H1. http://www.flmvpa.org/fldmv.pdf
Bought an 89. Titled and registered curently in Illinois. Tried to reg today in Palm Beach county. Not a chance.
Hopeless. Even if I manage to somehow reg in Georgia somehow, how long can I get away with that. Pissed off. Going on Ebay
What are you asking for it? Im out of Rockford and buying one already titled would save a giant headache because I can find absolutely no information on how to title one in Illinois with the sf-97.
Trying to register one in Colorado that I bought with a title from New Mexico. Running into roadblocks, can anyone offer solution?
If you could only reg in new mex, you’d be golden. I was going to reg mine that way and drive it in Florida where every other plate is out of state anyway. Lucky us, Florida just set new regulations this fall that prohibit military vehicles from being titled as road vehicles. Fortunately, there’s a provision to allow titling as parade/exhibition /exhibit, so there it is. I guess I’ll always be on my way to an exhibit! My advice is find a friend in NM and do it there.
Also purchased a nice 1990 m998. Taking it to ga before bringing it to texas, its from a ga base. Hate to hear texas is so anti M998. Any info about getting it street legal would be appreciated. Have the sf97 and bill of sale,97 is marked ‘off road’.
I’m also doing this. Headed to texas with one or two 998’s.
Another owner in ga told me its no problem getting it taken care of there. Already gave my paperwork to a long time retired law enforvement guy to look into.
Planning on getting the info from the first ga guy when driving to texas in about a week or less.