7.050 Government Surplus Vehicles (GSVs) (VC §4000)

Suspense all applications for vehicles sold by the U.S. government to the Registration Suspense Processing Unit at DMV headquarters when using type transaction code (TTC) G40 or C00.
There are three different types of government surplus vehicles (GSVs):

• GSVs – Can be from any federal agency except the military. Most of these vehicles are complying and have:
  • A 17-digit vehicle identification number (VIN).
    An emission label.
    A Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) label.

• Military Vehicles (Humvees)—Are usually sold through auctions and cannot be registered for on-highway use. However, they may be registered for off-highway use if written on the United States Government Certification to Obtain Title to a Vehicle (SF 97-1) form.
  • These vehicles will not have:
    A 17-digit VIN but will have a serial number.
    A secondary or alternate VIN.
    An emission label.
    An FMVSS label.

• Tactical Vehicles

Are military vehicles except they have a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Certificate to Register a Tactical Vehicle (DLA 1928) form. These vehicles can be registered for on-highway use, only when an exempt agency is using these vehicles for defense exercises. The U.S. government remains the lien holder on these vehicles. Tactical vehicles will not have:

• A 17-digit VIN but will have a serial number.
  A secondary or alternate VIN.
• An emission label.
• An FMVSS label.

To register a surplus vehicle sold by the U.S. government the applicant must submit:

• A completed Application for Title or Registration (REG 343) form.
• A Verification of Vehicle (REG 31) form.
• A Certificate of Release of Motor Vehicle (U.S. Government Standard Form 97) and any bills of sale needed to establish a complete chain of ownership.

• A weight certificate for a commercial vehicle weighing less than 10,001 pounds, unladen. If the vehicle is operated over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight (GVW) or is a permanent trailer identification (PTI) trailer, the estimated weight may be shown on a Statement of Facts (REG 256) form.
• Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)/Combine Gross Vehicle Weight (CGW) (REG 4008) form for a commercial vehicle over 6,001 pounds unladen, except pickups.
• A smog certification, if appropriate.
• Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment Form (REG 262) for Odometer Disclosure Statement, if applicable.
• Fees due. Refer to Chapter 28 for Use Tax information. GSVs • For titling purposes, these vehicles must have an SF 97-1. Military Vehicles
• Do not accept a REG 31 from anyone except DMV. If DMV is unable to find the serial number, refer the customer to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
• Unless the serial number is disfigured or missing, do not refer these vehicles to CHP.

• Customers will have an SF 97-1 in lieu of titling documents. If the SF 97-1 is lost, the customer must get a duplicate from the auction. If the auction cannot provide a duplicate, they must provide the contact information of the federal government agency where one can be obtained.
• Suspense all transactions for military vehicles (Humvees) to the Technical Compliance Section (TCS) at DMV headquarters. Tactical Vehicles
• Do not accept a REG 31 from anyone except DMV. If serial number cannot be found, refer applicant to CHP.
• Do not confuse tactical vehicles with GSVs. GSVs come from different federal agencies and are usually compliant vehicles with a 17-digit VIN, an emission label, and an FMVSS label.