DC DMV Questions

[Dragsterhund]

I'm going to register my '03 Monster in DC

Shockingly, the DC DMV is confusing. On one part of the website, it says:

"All motorcycles and motorized bicycles must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards before they can be registered in the District. .

Although safety inspections are no longer required for motorcycles and motorized bicycles, a customer must still provide proof of compliance with the federal safety standards if the vehicle was imported from outside the United States. Proof may be provided in one of two ways. First, the customer may present to the DMV service center a manufacturer's certification of compliance. This is in addition to the registration application and other documents required to title and register the vehicle.

Alternatively, if the customer cannot locate the manufacturer's certification of compliance, then the customer must bring the imported motorcycle/motorized bicycle to the inspection station before the vehicle can be titled. An inspector will verify whether the vehicle meets the federal safety standards. Once an inspector determines the vehicle has complied with the federal safety standards, the customer may then visit a DMV service center to title and register the vehicle."

See the bold type. WTF is a manufacturer's certification of compliance? Since Ducati is a major manufacturer, does it need one?

Then, on another part of the website, it says

http://dmv.dc.gov/info/forms/NontraditionalMotorVehiclechart_pdf.shtm

"Safety and Emissions inspection required for registration"

I'm confused as to the ORDER in which I need to do all this stuff. Do I trailer the bike to the inspection station (already surrendered my VA tags), get the inspection, THEN go to the DMV to register the bike, or can I skip going to the inspection station until after I get my tags?

[696DCRider]

Registering a bike in DC is easy.  Don't sweat any inspection stuff.  I've registered two bikes in DC (both before they changed inspection regulations).  Each time, they just waved my around the inspection station.  All they did was check my turn signals and slap a sticker on there.  They always tell me how all the guys there ride.

I would still suggest going to the inspection station.  I think you still need to get a safety emission check.  There are a couple of guys that have registered a new bike in the district more recently than I have, so maybe they will chime in with better info.  Either way don't sweat it.  The inspection station (in SW) is right around the corner from the dmv too, so you can knock it all out at once.

It doesn't matter if you don't have DC plates when going through, but if you have no plates, then you could get pulled over.  So, maybe you will want to trailer it in if that is easy to do.  Your other option is to go get temp plates for a DMV location first and just ride it in to handle the other stuff.  Hope this helps.

I'm going to register my '03 Monster in DC

Shockingly, the DC DMV is confusing. On one part of the website, it says:

"All motorcycles and motorized bicycles must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards before they can be registered in the District. .

Although safety inspections are no longer required for motorcycles and motorized bicycles, a customer must still provide proof of compliance with the federal safety standards if the vehicle was imported from outside the United States. Proof may be provided in one of two ways. First, the customer may present to the DMV service center a manufacturer's certification of compliance. This is in addition to the registration application and other documents required to title and register the vehicle.

Alternatively, if the customer cannot locate the manufacturer's certification of compliance, then the customer must bring the imported motorcycle/motorized bicycle to the inspection station before the vehicle can be titled. An inspector will verify whether the vehicle meets the federal safety standards. Once an inspector determines the vehicle has complied with the federal safety standards, the customer may then visit a DMV service center to title and register the vehicle."

See the bold type. WTF is a manufacturer's certification of compliance? Since Ducati is a major manufacturer, does it need one?

Then, on another part of the website, it says

http://dmv.dc.gov/info/forms/NontraditionalMotorVehiclechart_pdf.shtm

"Safety and Emissions inspection required for registration"

I'm confused as to the ORDER in which I need to do all this stuff. Do I trailer the bike to the inspection station (already surrendered my VA tags), get the inspection, THEN go to the DMV to register the bike, or can I skip going to the inspection station until after I get my tags?

[Dragsterhund]

Right on man.

I've got a pickup truck, so I'll just put the bike in the back. No problem.

I just realized I don't have the VA title... I have the little cards that are attached to the bottom of the VA title, the ones you're supposed to keep with the registration, but I can't find the upper part. I guess I have to get a new one before I go to the DC DMV, or do you think that will suffice?

[696DCRider]

Err, not sure about that.  I had the titles for both my bikes.

Right on man.

I've got a pickup truck, so I'll just put the bike in the back. No problem.

I just realized I don't have the VA title... I have the little cards that are attached to the bottom of the VA title, the ones you're supposed to keep with the registration, but I can't find the upper part. I guess I have to get a new one before I go to the DC DMV, or do you think that will suffice?

[ducatiz]

the FMVSS certification refers to PRIVATE import bikes.  your bike was imported by the manufacturer, who certified on entry it conforms to FMVSS.

if you privately import it, you get a certificate which is affixed to the bike itself, from the RI.

if you bought it with a regular state title, you have nothing to worry about.

[Meerkat]

I've recently tagged bikes here in DC and getting ready to tag another. I've ridden both of my down the the place to get tags...meaning without anything on there.

You'll have to have the title or they'll send you packing. Bring your insurance (a must) and lien paperwork if you have one.

Go get tags and registration first then get safety inspected which consists of rollin' up in front of the inspection station (around the corner from where you get tags). I've been told to park in the no parking spot right in front of the door both times I've gone. Go inside and tell them you need a bike inspected. They fill out the paperwork and bring out the sticker to put on your bike...no inspection/no emissions/just 15 minutes of bullshitting with the guy tellin you about how him and his buddies ride some japanese piece of shit really fast in straight lines.

[696DCRider]

I figured you would chime in to fill in the holes at some point.

just 15 minutes of bullshitting with the guy tellin you about how him and his buddies ride some japanese piece of shit really fast in straight lines.

So true, lol.

[Meerkat]

I figured you would chime in to fill in the holes at some point.

So true, lol.

I'm probably heading over there again in the morning to get tags on the daytona.

[ducatiz]

I'm probably heading over there again in the morning to get tags on the daytona.

you don't go fast in straight lines on that?  what do you do?  figure eights?  :-)

[Dragsterhund]

Big beltway sized circles

[Meerkat]

you don't go fast in straight lines on that?  what do you do?  figure eights?  :-)

I never go fast...just ask Ben and Lars. But I do really like doing figure eights! That was my favorite part of the total control class!

[Dragsterhund]

Went really well... the guy didn't even look at the bike AT ALL. At all.

[Meerkat]

Not to say I told ya so, but I told ya so. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the inspection. The tag office of course is always a nightmare !

[696DCRider]

Not to say I told ya so, but I told ya so. I haven't heard of anyone having problems with the inspection. The tag office of course is always a nightmare !

+1

[Dragsterhund]

yeah, the DMV was fine, just crazy busy.

Keep closing DMV offices, DC. Good job.