CO title / registration laws question

[drumnjuny]

Anyone know if its possible to title a vehicle without registering it? Basically I want to buy a car but not pay insurance or put plates on it or drive it just store it for a while. Say, if i were to use it for a project... [evilsmile] haha

Been combing dmv.org and the co dmv .gov site, can't find any specifics on it except that it implies that titling and registration are a package deal... i'm hoping i can get out with just paying a fine vs. paying insurance for a car that will not be driven?

[100Daily]

That is a good question I am not entirely sure of, but here is my understanding FWIW. You don't have to normally register your car or pay fees unless you plan on driving it on public roads. For instance if you have a race car, you can do whatever mods you want to it but you can't drive it on the public roads. You DO need the DMV to title the vehicle regardless. I would go into the DMW and explain you are storing the vehicle and will not be driving it. You are right they apply a fee if you don't renew your registration on time, but there has to be a way of notifying the DMV of your intentions to avoid the penalty if you don't intend to drive the car.

[Ali]

I have also been wondering about this. Would think there is a way to just transfer the title but everything seems to be linked.

Register a Non-Operational Vehicle
Colorado does not offer any breaks on non-operational vehicles.

If your vehicle is non-operational or in storage when the registration expires, you will be charged a late fee when you attempt to re-register it with the Colorado DMV.
http://www.dmv.org/co-colorado/car-registration.php


However there does seem to be a loophole.

Unlike other states, there is no set time limit for when you must title your vehicle following the date of purchase.

http://www.dmv.org/co-colorado/title-transfers.php

Seems it would be easiest to buy the car and just hold on to the original title and a bill of sale.

[drumnjuny]

yeah that's pretty much what i found too. oh well!! I'd rather pay for insurance, than hold on to the title and not transfer it, I think. never know when someone will go crazy and file for a stolen title or something....

plus, if the title isn't transferred doesn't that mean the seller would have it still registered in their name and technically be required to pay insurance? lol.

There has to be something, for track bikes or track cars that allows for this? But it doesn't seem like it. maybe those people just never title the car, and having the keys is enough for them haha? dunno...



my plan: go to dmv and try to title it without registering it. if they say its not possible (and they probably will), i'll get proof of insurance and go back and register it. if I care enough to try and stick it to them, i might cancel my insurance same day and garage the vehicle. or, more likely, go on a joy ride. when you cancel insurance, they prorate it and give you a credit for the rest of the term you didn't use but paid for (in the past I prepay 6 months at a time because its cheaper)

[drumnjuny]

buddy of mine has two bikes, says he has them both titled, one insured one not. so i guess its possible, either by registering then canceling insurance or by titling without registering.

[Ali]

please update on what you find out. if you have to title it with registration as you said just insure it temporarily and then just let the registration expire and dont renew. The maximum fine now capped at $100 regardless of how long they have been expired which is nice.

[CorneliusRox]

I just went through plating all of my stuff last year, and you need insurance to register it and get plates. That being said, you only need the little card, and I doubt they check it.

[drumnjuny]

please update on what you find out. if you have to title it with registration as you said just insure it temporarily and then just let the registration expire and dont renew. The maximum fine now capped at $100 regardless of how long they have been expired which is nice.

will definitely update with what happens when i head to the dmv.. and that fine is only applicable if you get caught driving an unregistered car. I got a $75 3 months ago ticket for driving on expired VA tags, and they were at least 3 months expired, just for reference...


I just went through plating all of my stuff last year, and you need insurance to register it and get plates. That being said, you only need the little card, and I doubt they check it.

Corey - definitely agree that i'll need insurance to register. I'm looking to title the vehicle in my name (aka own it on paper) without registering.

[mec]

I think you have 45 days or maybe they upped it to 90 days now, so 90 days that you can rock on temporary plates before needing to get full on registration. So buy the bike, use up the 90 days. Sell it to a friend, have him hold it 90 days, then at the end of 90 days he sells it back to you, that should get you into summer, no registration fees, and you only need insurance if you are driving it so you can put that off too.

[drumnjuny]

Arjun,

You can title only without registering. You will need to keep in mind that if our office does not issue a registration of some sort (temporary or permanent) within 60 days of your purchase date, late fees will begin to accrue.
The same would apply to motorcycles.

If you should have any further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully,

Amy Christianson
Longmont Motor Vehicle Branch Manager
Office of the Clerk & Recorder
529 Coffman St #110
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: 303-678-6121
Fax: 303-678-6126
E-Mail: [email protected]

As Trusted Stewards of Boulder County's Future, We Provide the Best in Public Service

I sent her an email back asking if i needed proof of insurance to get temporary tags. Lets see what she says, if not that could extend it another 30 days or so. which would cover me basically till the end of march

[drumnjuny]

From DMV.org:

"The CO DMV allows you to renew your vehicle registration up to 1 month after the expiration month. After that, you must pay a $25 late fee for every month your registration is expired, up to a total of $100."

[mec]

She sounds hot.

[Redd]

I have no idea how the Colorado DMV works, but in many states when you cancel insurance, or are dropped by an insurer, the insurer notifies the DMV overnight and then you get fined for having an uninsured vehicle. Fined big time.

So before you make any plans like that, check out your state laws. And preferably check them out in writing, either on a web site or in print, not just what some clerk behind a counter tells you on the phone, or in person. Clerks have been known to be wrong, and legally that's your problem, not theirs.

[drumnjuny]

good advice, thanks!

[Aok303]

Colorado does not track insurance. you can buy and cancel same day after you get plates and register,
Hence why all the people at Denver traffic court have tags but no insurance or drivers license

If you have a loan, the bank does randomly check and if you dont can charge fees till reinstated
Or say its all owed now and start collecting Fee's

[100Daily]

Colorado does not track insurance.


Check what you heard. It's called MIIDB and it's updated daily. Don't take my word for it.

http://www.colorado.gov/driveinsured/

I got a letter from the State of Colorado in the mail last time I switched insurance because there was a gap in reporting to the database. The insurance companies lobbied for it. I also went on a ride along with a CSP Trooper who showed me the system used in the field.

To Aok's point though, unless you weren't caught driving the car I think the worst you would see is the reminder letter. If you got pulled over they would know right away, but since you won't be driving that car I think it might work.

[Denker]

Colorado does not track insurance. you can buy and cancel same day after you get plates and register,
Hence why all the people at Denver traffic court have tags but no insurance or drivers license


I hate these dirtbags; know too many people that have been in accidents with them.

[drumnjuny]

Arjun,

If the vehicle is not "roadworthy" you may title it and not register it. If you were to ever make it "roadworthy" late fees would apply. Boom, that's how it goes for track cars then. late fees only apply when you go to register the vehicle, so if you just never register you're golden. for my situation, basically i will get 2 months off of insurance which sounds like a good deal to me :)

Yes, insurance is required to obtain any type of plate, temporary or permanent.
There is an option of obtaining a permanent registration using insurance from another vehicle you own and completing a DR2303 Affidavit of Non-Use. This procedure does not apply to a temporary permit.
The DR2303 Affidavit of Non-Use can be found at www.colorado.gov/revenue/dmv under forms & Publications.

Late fees accrue at $25.00 per month not to exceed $100.00

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Respectfully,

Amy Christianson
Longmont Motor Vehicle Branch Manager
Office of the Clerk & Recorder
529 Coffman St #110
Longmont, CO 80501
Phone: 303-678-6121
Fax: 303-678-6126
E-Mail: [email protected]

As Trusted Stewards of Boulder County's Future, We Provide the Best in Public Service

[100Daily]

Nice, good to know for sure [:D]

[drumnjuny]

yeah definitely!

[Aok303]

Check what you heard. It's called MIIDB and it's updated daily. Don't take my word for it.

http://www.colorado.gov/driveinsured/

I got a letter from the State of Colorado in the mail last time I switched insurance because there was a gap in reporting to the database. The insurance companies lobbied for it. I also went on a ride along with a CSP Trooper who showed me the system used in the field.

To Aok's point though, unless you weren't caught driving the car I think the worst you would see is the reminder letter. If you got pulled over they would know right away, but since you won't be driving that car I think it might work.

If you know anyone that has been pulled over and not had there card on them you would see how the system is Super flawed and why they do no pull you over if you do show up on it.
Only cars that show loans are really updated. they don't pull you over cause you could have insurance that covers you in a non insured vehicle, I thought only the State patrol and a few departments even check
this system when you are pulled over. Since its not built into the criminal data base which is what they search when you do get pulled over to see if the car is on the tow list or if your on the arrest list.

I know zero people who have claimed to be pulled over in Colorado with legal plates and told they ran them and saw no insurance on the car. since even the system said updated weekly it not enough to do a spot check
unless the car is registered under a person of watch, IE criminal record or lengthy Drivers history showing repeat offense

your insurance by law puts you on the list and sends letter. when i left Geico for State Farm i got the letter even though i had state farm 2 days before geico was not renewed.its more of a reminder then someone tracking you. when state farm made a hiccup and canceled then renewed my insurance the same day for i moved back to my parents home and only one pays the liability under there umbrella coverage i got the letter even though i was covered the whole time

[100Daily]

Right, they would use their insurance tracking database system after they pulled you over for another primary offense to verify your status. They don't pull you over for no insurance. It is fairly up to date though, as I found out.

[mikehawk666]

She sounds hot.

[vintagespin]

On a side note, but somewhat related, as a total noob, can somebody tell me what the process is for purchasing an out-of-state car and registering and titling it in CO?

Sorry for the threadjack.

[TimNGobbles]

I just did this. Find the DMV you need to go to, it may not be the same place you get your drivers license. You can look at your county webisite to find the location.

I financed a car I bought in Nebraska. Before you go to the DMV you need to get your out of state car's VIN verified. I did this at the sheriffs office, it takes a few minutes, they basically make sure that the physical VIN on the car is the same as that on the paperwork. I think it was $20 but I can't recall, maybe it was free.

The DMV needs your bill of sale from the transaction showing the price paid for the vehicle. If you haven't paid it already, which you likely did not when you bought it out of state, you will have to pay the sales tax and also the registration fee. You also need proof of insurance. The loan company sent me the title paperwork (in my case it was the title from Nebraska) to take to the DMV to get it retitled in Colorado. You may also need to pass emissions if your car is older then I think 4-5 years and you live in the emissions area, you can find this info at http://aircarecolorado.com/ they might be able to verify your VIN at the emissions location.

I live in Jefferson County, feel free to PM if you have exact questions about anything in this area.

[mec]

She sounds hot.

Beat ya to it ;) post 12