Vehicle Registration, Etc.

CauseImANinja · #1 06-13-2009, 12:54 PM

I'm aware of all the hassle and expense of getting a car from the U.S. through customs. However, if I were to get my car onto DR soil, what needs to be done to make it appear legal to drive? I have used the "Search" function extensively. So far, I've found it needs insurance, registration, plates, and inspection. So questions, ...

The car was made in '94. I'm aware of the 5 years rule, but let's say the car was already there, and Customs was not an issue.

1. What do you need to show the insurance agency to get coverage from a DR insurance company?

2. If your U.S. policy covers your car being overseas, will the DR view that as valid insurance?

3. What do you need to get the registration?

4. What is needed to get the plates?

5. What documents do you need to present to get the inspection?

6. Are any items/documents needed for questions 1-5 obtainable only through Customs? Or, could I still get them if Customs was avoided entirely?

7. What do the police ask for when they pull you over?

8. What are the penalties for not having insurance? DR plates? Registration? Inspection?

9. What kinds of cars do the police drive?

MikeFisher · #2 06-13-2009, 01:50 PM

sounds like you brought a car over by ferry from puerto rico.
such has it's plates and insurance of origin valid here for a specific time period/like the tourist visa for a visitor.
don't know the exact max time period, sorry.
to keep the car here legally steadily would need to get that car it's dominican matricula/plates, to do so it has to pass customs, and customs will not let it pass due to the 5 years rule.

maybe somebody else experienced something different,
i never imported a car myself,
so i just state what the rules/laws say about importation of vehicles.

btw,
welcome to DR1, Ninja
Mike

CauseImANinja · #3 06-14-2009, 05:44 AM

Thanks for the welcome, Mike.

I'd be coming from the U.S. My idea is just to put my car on a boat, pull up to a DR beach a couple hundred yards from the house I'll be staying at, lower the ramp, and drive home. I won't be driving the car a lot there. Won't need to use it daily. Just on those beautiful sunny days that are perfect for a nice long drive. Aside from that it'll be in the garage.
A little explanation: All boys have a playing with cars phase when they're little. I never really out grew mine. I'll be putting one car in storage here in the U.S. while I'm abroad. I'm letting trusted friends hang on to 2 others. But this particular one I want to take with me. I've had the car for several years. I've put in tons of wrench time. I'm very attached.
I'm only planning on being in the DR 6 months to 1 year. Then, maybe Europe? I would love to drive this car on the Autobahn! But, you never know. I may like the DR so much that I end up sticking around awhile longer.

In short, I just need it to appear legal to the local authorities and pass a traffic stop or road block. My insurance company will gladly take care of everyone in the event I cause an accident. I'm not trying to circumvent any public safety mechanism, just wanting to circumvent corrupt customs agents. (And that 5 year thingy.)

PJT · #4 06-14-2009, 09:33 AM

You seem to be going to a lot of trouble to maintain your emotional attachment to the car; especially, when you think you will be in the DR only a year. It may be very costly for the short term and not worth the bother.

AMET, the transportation police, have the power, legal and otherwise, to impound a vehicle without proper paperwork. If you are stopped by the police for a traffic infraction or just for looking like a foreigner with lots of money. They will ask for your drivers license; (foreign license good only for 90 days after entry into country); ID = cedula, passport, or resident identification; registration/matricula; proof of inspection; and proof of insurance. If you are faulting any of these items or they don't seem in order, good-bye car ....off to the impound yard. Unless, you are a good talker or know people in high places.

Best bet, bring the vehicle in legal or better yet use the moneys you would transport you car in and out of the country to purchase a used one for the time you are here.

Good luck and Regards,
PJT

FireGuy · #5 06-14-2009, 09:39 AM

What you are proposing, excluding the regs regarding importation of automobiles, sounds to me (I'm not a lawyer) like smuggling and if caught your issues with auto importation will be the least of your problems. Charges would be criminal in nature and I think DNCD would strip your prize auto to it's smallest constituent part looking for the drugs they would expect were hidden in it. In addition the vessel used to transport the smuggled goods (the car) could well be subject to seizure.

Just one man's opinion.

Gregg

windeguy · #6 06-14-2009, 11:40 AM

I agree that what you are proposing to do is extremely unwise for many reasons.

MikeFisher · #7 06-14-2009, 12:58 PM

the other vehicle used for the smuggle, the Boat, would be seized also and like the car with no chance of getting any of them back.

Ninja,
what you are talking about sounds really like a big kids thought of an special adventure, to the authorities it will be just a criminal action which can end up with prison time, aside of the loss of car and boat aso.
sounds like you wanna come in with a big boat, car on board, ramp to unload without a crane, will be hard to find a piece of coastline where a huge boat can come close enough to the beach to unload a car over a ramp without throwing that car into the water.

coming in with a boat anyways requires to pass at the port authorities of the nearest port first with immigrations and customs personel present.
hitting the beach without doing so with a boat may result in the loss of boat and car under coast guards fire.

forget about that big idea,
you are talking about a criminal activity,
not a theme for a DR board.
Mike

mido · #8 06-14-2009, 02:47 PM

I think you hit the "nail on the top" Mike.

cougar · #9 06-14-2009, 07:32 PM

i'm a car guy too, what kind of car is it? i had to leave my cougar in the states, i miss my baby everyday

CauseImANinja · #10 06-15-2009, 09:22 PM

Oops. It never even crossed my mind that it would be "smuggling". Yall are right though, I guess it would be. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
The car is a 1994 Viper RT/10 Convertible. I had it since 1998. Over the years I've went all John Hennessy on it. Tore down then remanufactured the engine myself. I custom built a lot of things on the car. It puts down a little over 1,000 hp.
Anyone in the DR1 community that's in a high ranking Customs position?