Date:         Mon, 29 Dec 2003 14:26:58 -0500
Reply-To:     Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject:      Re: Going south again, to buy a Westy,
              i need info on US/state law.
Comments: To: David Brodbeck <gull@GULL.US>

David, Thanks!
So the way i see it is we don't have "Title" here, well, maybe in other
Canadian province but not in Quebec. We only have what 1 paper to do both
(not exactly true!), it's call  (well, there is no English word for it): but
it would translate something like: "certificate of registration", so that is
one paper that state that you own the vehicle and can drive this one, but!
This one can have different state of validity: park (if you don't use the
vehicle), collection, or simply a valid one.

But for vehicle older than 25 years and from another province or country, it
is imperative that you get a mechanical inspection & evaluation before you
can "register" it, you can't even register the vehicle if it doesn't pass
the mechanical inspection, after everything is done, you can chose to
register only, or register and get the driving licence plate (not the same
price). So if you decide to only register the vehicle, you cannot drive this
one. It will show "park / not valid for driving" on the certificate of
registration". If the vehicle is park for more than one year, it needs a new
mechanical inspection.

But, what you call "clear title", we have no real way of knowing if it's
stolen, fully paid by the PO, the only way is to write to the government
bureau, this can also be done with internet for a 6$ fee, but those
procedures and not mandatory!!! If you buy a vehicle without checking is
history ($$$) or state, you could be in deep shi*.

So the way I understand, in the US, you need a title! And on this one you
can see if it'd clear or not, may I ask if you can see on this paper (Title)
if a person didn't fully paid the vehicle???? Or if it as been in a accident?

Here, you are fully responsible to do the verification yourself. Many people
forget this important step, as I said, it's optional to check if the vehicle
is clear of any debt, as been reconstructed (accident) or even, as been stolen.

I will call/e-mail the CA DMV office, can someone direct me to the web-site?

Regards, Ben