Specially-Constructed Vehicles

You always need:

  • An Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) form.
  • The out-of-state title or manufacturer’s certificate/statement of origin and/or bill(s) of sale, invoice(s), or junk receipt(s) for major component parts.
  • A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) or Application for Assigned Vehicle Identification Number Plate (REG 124) form.
  • A Statement of Construction (REG 5036) form.
  • Appropriate fees.

You may also need:

  • A Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262).
  • A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form.
  • A Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Application/Certification (REG 4017) form.
  • A Statement of Facts (REG 256) form. 
  • A motor vehicle bond.
  • A U.S. Department of Transportation Declaration of Importation of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment Subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Burglary, and Theft Prevention Standards for Imported Parts (HS-7) form.
  • A Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) reference data sheet.
  • An SPCNS certificate of sequence number.
  • The out-of-state license plate(s).
  • A smog certificate.
  • A weight certificate.
  • Official brake and light adjustment certificates or electronic Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection (VSSI) certificates.

SPCNS Vehicles

SPCNS vehicles are built for private use, not built for resale, not repaired or restored to their original design by replacing parts, and not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer.

SPCNS vehicles are assembled from new, used, or a combination of new and used parts, a kit, or vehicles reported as dismantled (junk) as required by California Vehicle Code (CVC) §§5500 or 11520. The reconstructed junk vehicle cannot resemble the original production vehicle. 

Nonqualifying Vehicle Examples 

  • A Toyota modified with a Rolls Royce-like grill, cannot be registered as SPCNS, because it still resembles a Toyota.
  • A Harley Davidson motorcycle, modified with extended forks, cannot be registered as SPCNS because it still resembles a Harley Davidson.
  • A vehicle modified by a body change, with a title showing the correct vehicle make, cannot be registered as SPCNS.

SPCNS vehicles, including kit vehicles and trailers weighing 6,001 pounds or more unladen or with two or more axles, go to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for vehicle identification number (VIN) verification or assignment. 

Smog Certification

The first smog certification for an SPCNS vehicle must be issued by a Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) Referee Center. After inspecting the vehicle, the BAR Referee Center will issue a BAR reference data sheet and affix a BAR label to the vehicle. Subsequent smog inspections may be performed by any licensed smog check station when the BAR label is intact and emission equipment is the same. 

Original California Registration 

For an original California SPCNS vehicle registration, you must submit: 

  • A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) form.
  • The out-of-state title or manufacturer’s certificate/statement of origin (MCO/MSO). If these documents are not available, a receipt or invoice identifying the vehicle may be accepted.
  • Bill(s) of sale, invoices, or junk receipts for major component parts (engine, transmission, chassis, frame) and assembly, if assembled by someone other than the owner. An MCO/MSO for a complete vehicle is not acceptable proof of ownership for an SPCNS.  
  • An Application for Assigned Vehicle Identification Number (REG 124) for VIN assignment (not year model) completed by CHP.
  • A Statement of Construction (REG 5036) form.
  • If the vehicle is assembled from parts of a vehicle you already own, obtain and submit a junk receipt for that vehicle, before using the parts on the SPCNS vehicle. 
  • A Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form for commercial vehicles over 6,001 pounds unladen weight, except pickup trucks.
  • A Permanent Trailer Identification (PTI) Application/Certification (REG 4017) form for PTI trailers.
  • A motor vehicle bond if the vehicle value is $5,000 or more and receipts for major component parts are not submitted.
  • A U.S. Department of Transportation Declaration of Importation of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment Subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Burglary, and Theft Prevention Standards for Imported Parts (HS-7) form.
  • A BAR reference data sheet or smog certificate, as appropriate.
  • A weight certificate for commercial motor vehicles under 10,001 pounds unladen weight. If operated over 10,000 GVW or as PTI, indicate the estimated weight on a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form. 
  • Official brake and light adjustment certificates or electronic Vehicle Safety Systems Inspection (VSSI) certificates (not required for trailers under 3,000 pounds GVW).
  • Registration fees and use tax, as appropriate.

Forms with the prefix “REG” are available at www.dmv.ca.gov.

Kit Vehicles

Kit vehicles are a set of parts that a manufacturer sells to a buyer who assembles them into a functioning car. Kit vehicles that qualify as SPCNS are built for private use, not built for resale, not built by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer, and comply with CVC §580. Kit vehicles are usually replicas of well-known classic vehicles but may be commercial vehicles and trailers. 

Kit vehicles are registered by the manufacturer’s serial number and do not need a 17-digit VIN or model year. CHP usually completes a Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form with kit (KT) as the make. Cobra VINs starting with CSX must be changed to a CHP-assigned VIN.

SPCNS Certificate of Sequence

Each calendar year, DMV issues the first 500 applicants for an original SPCNS vehicle registration a Specially Constructed (SPCNS) Vehicle Certificate of Sequence (REG 5075).  Applications received after the 500 certificates are issued for the calendar year will be evaluated by BAR according to BAR’s standard vehicle criteria.  

Some nonresident vehicle registration applicants may be issued an SPCNS certificate of sequence when the out-of-state title identifies the vehicle make as SPCNS, homemade, assembled, etc. and the vehicle meets the SPCNS definition per CVC §580.

An SPCNS Certificate of Sequence cannot be transferred to a different vehicle or reissued in another name. If the vehicle is sold before the application is complete, the seller must provide the buyer with the SPCNS certificate of sequence, bill of sale, and other titling documents.

The applicant must provide all requirements listed in the Original California Registration section.

All documents will be thoroughly reviewed. If they show that the same company constructed, delivered, and issued major supporting invoices, the vehicle may not qualify for an SPCNS certificate of sequence. However, the vehicle may be registered as SPCNS with smog requirements.

Motorcycles and OHVs do not qualify for an SPCNS certificate of sequence.