3 ms·

Interesting tidbit: the barrier to legally registering a custom automobile in the US appears to be pretty low: http://www.dmv.org/other-types-of-vehicles.php ht

by gvb 12y ago

Interesting tidbit: the barrier to legally registering a custom automobile in the US appears to be pretty low: http://www.dmv.org/other-types-of-vehicles.php http://www.dmv.org/other-types-of-vehicles.php The ones I browsed call out a safety inspection, which is probably the highest hurdle to jump. I strongly suspect this is just basic safety, e.g. turn signals and brakes work.

kazinator 12y ago
I think the barrier would suddenly rise much higher if you proposed to build a million copies of the unit, and sell them to others. Or if it suddenly became commonplace for people to make their own cars. Even if self-built automobiles aren't safe, on an absolute scale, there are too few of them to constitute a safety threat compared to other large-scale problems like distracted, reckless, unskilled and impaired driving. Also, the legislators probably figure that people who build their own car are likely to drive with care. The last thing that a hard working maker wants to do is to wrap years of work around a pole.
mzs 12y ago
Next try getting insurance.
- s_q_b 12y ago
  Some states don't require car insurance, e.g. Virginia.
  - 72deluxe 12y ago
    So what happens if you hit someone else?
    - s_q_b 12y ago
      You're personally liable. Let me be clear on this: I'm not advocating being uninsured, and of course I insure my own vehicle. I'm just pointing out there are some states that don't require it.
      - 72deluxe 12y ago
        Wow, a great way to save money though I suppose? Best drive carefully and hope the accident is the other person's fault! Personal liability for accidents is a horrifying thought.
        s_q_b 12y ago
        Seriously, can you imagine being individually liable for personal injury in an accident, with no insurance company lawyer to back you up? Insanity.
  - awavering 12y ago
    Virginia requires the following minimum coverage: Bodily injury/death of one person $25,000 Bodily injury/death of two or more persons $50,000 Property damage $20,000 https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#insurance.asp https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#insurance.asp
    - s_q_b 12y ago
      IFF you have insurance: "The Virginia Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee allows a motor vehicle owner to register an uninsured motor vehicle. At the time of registration, the motor vehicle owner must certify whether the vehicle is insured or uninsured. If the vehicle is uninsured, the motor vehicle owner is required to pay to DMV a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee in addition to normal registration fees. Payment of the $500 fee does not provide the motorist with any insurance coverage. If involved in an accident, the uninsured motorist remains personally liable. This fee is valid for twelve months but may be prorated for a shorter amount of time." https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#uninsured_fee.asp https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#uninsured_fee.asp
  - fiatmoney 12y ago
    Most (maybe all) of the ones that don't require insurance require you instead to post a bond. "In some cases, substitutions, such as a bond from an insurance company or a cash deposit of $60,000 posted with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will be accepted." http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/doc/proof-of-ins.htm http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/doc/proof...
    - s_q_b 12y ago
      Virginia might actually be the only state that allows un-bonded uninsured motorists. I know it shocked me when I learned they allowed it.
jdietrich 12y ago
In the UK, it is not unusual for enthusiasts to build and register their own cars. The Single Vehicle Approval process allows individuals or companies to register unique vehicles based on an inspection of the vehicle, rather than formal type approval. Insurance is readily available, and usually quite inexpensive because insurers understand that enthusiasts take great care of their prized vehicles. The same process applies to vehicles built from a kit, or to specially imported vehicles. An interesting example of the flexibility of these rules is Edd China, a mechanic who has built a variety of weird and wonderful road-legal vehicles including a couch, a bed and a garden shed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKpsZOvQfu4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKpsZOvQfu4

by gvb 12y ago

kazinator 12y ago

I think the barrier would suddenly rise much higher if you proposed to build a million copies of the unit, and sell them to others. Or if it suddenly became commonplace for people to make their own cars. Even if self-built automobiles aren't safe, on an absolute scale, there are too few of them to constitute a safety threat compared to other large-scale problems like distracted, reckless, unskilled and impaired driving. Also, the legislators probably figure that people who build their own car are likely to drive with care. The last thing that a hard working maker wants to do is to wrap years of work around a pole.

mzs 12y ago

Next try getting insurance.

s_q_b 12y ago
Some states don't require car insurance, e.g. Virginia.
- 72deluxe 12y ago
  So what happens if you hit someone else?
  - s_q_b 12y ago
    You're personally liable. Let me be clear on this: I'm not advocating being uninsured, and of course I insure my own vehicle. I'm just pointing out there are some states that don't require it.
    - 72deluxe 12y ago
      Wow, a great way to save money though I suppose? Best drive carefully and hope the accident is the other person's fault! Personal liability for accidents is a horrifying thought.
      - s_q_b 12y ago
        Seriously, can you imagine being individually liable for personal injury in an accident, with no insurance company lawyer to back you up? Insanity.
- awavering 12y ago
  Virginia requires the following minimum coverage: Bodily injury/death of one person $25,000 Bodily injury/death of two or more persons $50,000 Property damage $20,000 https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#insurance.asp https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#insurance.asp
  - s_q_b 12y ago
    IFF you have insurance: "The Virginia Uninsured Motor Vehicle (UMV) fee allows a motor vehicle owner to register an uninsured motor vehicle. At the time of registration, the motor vehicle owner must certify whether the vehicle is insured or uninsured. If the vehicle is uninsured, the motor vehicle owner is required to pay to DMV a $500 uninsured motor vehicle fee in addition to normal registration fees. Payment of the $500 fee does not provide the motorist with any insurance coverage. If involved in an accident, the uninsured motorist remains personally liable. This fee is valid for twelve months but may be prorated for a shorter amount of time." https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#uninsured_fee.asp https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#uninsured_fee.asp
- fiatmoney 12y ago
  Most (maybe all) of the ones that don't require insurance require you instead to post a bond. "In some cases, substitutions, such as a bond from an insurance company or a cash deposit of $60,000 posted with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) will be accepted." http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/doc/proof-of-ins.htm http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/drivers/apply/doc/proof...
  - s_q_b 12y ago
    Virginia might actually be the only state that allows un-bonded uninsured motorists. I know it shocked me when I learned they allowed it.

jdietrich 12y ago

In the UK, it is not unusual for enthusiasts to build and register their own cars. The Single Vehicle Approval process allows individuals or companies to register unique vehicles based on an inspection of the vehicle, rather than formal type approval. Insurance is readily available, and usually quite inexpensive because insurers understand that enthusiasts take great care of their prized vehicles. The same process applies to vehicles built from a kit, or to specially imported vehicles. An interesting example of the flexibility of these rules is Edd China, a mechanic who has built a variety of weird and wonderful road-legal vehicles including a couch, a bed and a garden shed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKpsZOvQfu4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKpsZOvQfu4