Did you know that in England, or Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom, you are not considered the owner of a car? Instead, you are deemed the keeper of the vehicle. Our friends across the pond can share their thoughts on this distinctive approach to vehicle possession. This unique perspective is governed by a document known as the V5C – a logbook issued by the Division of Licensing to the registered keeper of a vehicle.
Every car in England, to our understanding, is required to have a V5C logbook. This paper document serves as a comprehensive record, containing specific details about the car. It must be updated to reflect changes whenever there is a shift in the registered keeper’s name, address, or if the vehicle is sold. This brings forth an interesting analogy – you’re not an owner but a keeper, akin to borrowing the vehicle from someone or even the government.
The logbook is not just a record; it plays a vital role in the financial aspect of vehicle ownership. It includes a reference number used to pay the vehicle excise duty, a form of road tax. Modifications to the car or its status, such as being written off for scrap or insurance purposes, must be documented in this logbook.
Contrary to popular belief, the V5C is not proof of ownership. While insurance certificates are digital, a paper form of the logbook is still required. This physical documentation is likely to persist into the future, serving as a fraud-prevention measure.
This approach starkly differs from how vehicle ownership is perceived in the United States. In the U.S., individuals are considered owners, registered owners, or titled owners. The concept of being a “keeper” rather than an “owner” raises intriguing questions about the evolving nature of vehicle possession.
As discussions around shared vehicle usage, electric vehicles, and evolving ownership concepts unfold, the “keeper” model in England prompts speculation. Could this unique approach influence practices in other countries? Some U.S. states already follow mechanisms similar to the tax-transfer process mentioned in England.
With the automotive landscape undergoing significant transformations, including shared mobility and the rise of electric cars, the traditional notion of vehicle ownership is being reevaluated. Concepts such as “keepership” challenge conventional thinking and invite us to reconsider the relationship between individuals and their vehicles.
To our friends in England and around the world, we invite you to share your thoughts on this distinctive approach to vehicle possession. How does the idea of being a “keeper” resonate with you? Do you foresee such a paradigm shift in other countries? Join the conversation and let us know your perspective on this evolving landscape of automotive ownership.
In a move that may foreshadow broader trends impacting vintage and older vehicles, Nevada has recently announced significant changes to the eligibility criteria for classic car registration. While the state frames it as a measure to address emissions and insurance concerns, critics argue it could signal a broader effort to phase out older cars.
Nevada’s classic car registration, which previously encompassed vehicles from the 1980s and earlier, is undergoing a transformation. The state is considering moving the eligibility cutoff even further, potentially affecting a wider range of vehicles.
One of the most contentious changes is the introduction of smog checks for classic cars. These vehicles, often devoid of modern emissions control features, face a new hurdle to maintain their classic status. Additionally, a stringent mileage limit of 5,000 miles per year has been proposed, significantly curbing the usability of these vintage rides.
Owning a classic car in Nevada may soon come with the caveat that it cannot serve as your primary or only vehicle. Insurance companies often demand proof of a daily driver when providing coverage for classic cars, complicating matters for enthusiasts who cherish these older vehicles for their simplicity and ease of maintenance.
Critics argue that these changes disproportionately affect lower-income individuals who rely on older cars for their simplicity and affordability. For those who appreciate the straightforward mechanics of an older Ford truck or a 1970s Jeep, the prospect of facing additional restrictions may limit their ability to keep and maintain these vehicles.
As Nevada takes a bold step, other states may observe this move closely. The question arises: Is this a localized response to specific concerns, or does it signal a broader trend aimed at phasing out older vehicles in favor of modern, computerized cars?
Simultaneously, the automotive landscape is witnessing the integration of remote kill switches in new vehicles, scheduled to become mandatory after 2026. While proponents argue this is a measure against drunk driving, skeptics question if this aligns too conveniently with a push to eliminate older cars from the roads.
As we stand at this regulatory crossroads, enthusiasts and advocates for older vehicles find themselves grappling with a changing landscape. The battle between preserving automotive history and adhering to evolving standards of emissions and safety is underway, and the fate of older cars hangs in the balance.
We invite you to share your thoughts and experiences regarding these regulatory shifts. Have you encountered challenges with classic car registration in your state? How do you perceive the future of older vehicles in the face of evolving regulations?
The road ahead is uncertain, and the stories of car enthusiasts navigating these challenges will shape the narrative of how we approach the preservation of automotive heritage in the years to come.
By now everybody’s seen the news where the state of California is looking to ban sales of gas-powered cars – basically, everything has to be an electric vehicle. There’s more to it than just California because you might think, California is only one state and I don’t live in California so it’s not going to affect me. Well, let’s take a look.
Even though California is technically one out of 50 states, it represents about 15-18% of the automobile market. So when manufacturers build vehicles they have to make sure they keep California in mind because it’s a larger than average share of the national vehicle sales market. In addition, there are other states that are doing this. The state of Washington has already announced that they’re doing this as well. So now you add those two together, there are also four or five other states that have either announced they’re going to phase out gas-powered cars within the next few years or they’re expected to do so very shortly. If you add up all of the states that have already either announced or certainly will, you have about one-third of the population of this country living in a state where gasoline vehicles will no longer be eligible to be purchased. In fact, some states will not even allow you to register them. In the state of Washington, the law says not only can you not buy them but you can’t even register them. If you already own one, when this law passes, your registration will be rejected when you try to renew it. It seems that California will let you keep the gasoline car you already have. It’s unclear whether you’d be allowed to buy one in another state and bring it into California.
The writing is on the wall right, electric vehicles are being shepherded in as a requirement where gasoline vehicles won’t be. Look at this point if the states pass these laws, even if the manufacturers or you as a consumer want a gasoline car, it might even be impossible because manufacturers aren’t going to build cars that are essentially illegal in a large part of the country. And in addition, they’re not going to build parts for cars that are being phased out. So if you have a 10-year-old car or a 5-year-old car that needs parts, 10 years from now you might not be able to get parts. Many people think, well I’ll just keep my gas car forever and keep driving it, good luck with that. You might not be able to continue to maintain that car in operating condition if parts aren’t available. Even things like computer chips, electronic parts, or collision parts. What if the car gets crashed and you need a fender and there are no fenders? What if the brakes go out and you can’t buy brakes? So you might think, well maybe I’ll just bite the bullet and buy an electric vehicle, well not so fast. At the same time, this is happening, EV prices are going up. According to this article from The Verge, electric vehicle prices are going up. In fact, Ford announced recently for a lot of vehicles, they’re increasing the prices between $6,000 and $8,000 for electric vehicles due to what they call “production cost increases”.
So what does this mean? What does it mean for you as a consumer? For the market and for the industry? Let’s first start with what are your comments. If you are a consumer, what are your thoughts on the fact that electric vehicles may not be a choice anymore and may be a requirement? If you don’t live in California, what if your state decided to do the same thing? What if the market realities made it so that you couldn’t find a gasoline vehicle? What if the manufacturers are not making gasoline vehicles, are you prepared to live a life with an electric-only vehicle? Do you have the capability to charge it? Does match your transportation usage? Are you in the automotive industry? Are you a repair shop? Are you prepared for the transition to electric vehicles? Does your shop have the right technology to repair and fix these vehicles? In fact, are these third-party repair shops even going to be a thing with electric vehicles? It might be dealer-only repairs.
Think about this – if you have a cell phone or a computer, most of those things are under warranty, or the repairs are done through a download or only at the authorized retailer or it may be that third-party repair shop with aftermarket parts. Local garages are not really even needed anymore because everything’s electronic, there are no mechanical parts. Is that industry going to fade away? What about collision repairs? Well, the collision repair of an EV is more than just sheet metal. In most cases, if the floor pan of a car gets damaged, and almost every collision even light impact damaged the floor pan, that’s where the battery is. If the battery is damaged, that’s more than just sheet metal repair, that’s a mechanical item that may have to go back to the dealer.
What about dealers themselves? What is this going to do for the future of automotive retailing? Is it going to change how you run your dealership? What about used car lots? Will it be practical to buy and sell used electric vehicles? A five-year-old electric vehicle might have more than a hundred thousand miles and now your battery is out of warranty. Most manufacturers warranty the battery for eight years or a hundred thousand miles. Well, some people hit a hundred thousand in five years. That’s only 20,000 miles a year. Many people drive more than 20,000 miles a year. So in five years if that battery is out of warranty, does that make the car worth anything? Is it worth even buying or selling these cars? Because if the battery costs $15,000 $18,000, is a five-year-old car even worth that to replace a battery? So tell us what your thoughts are. This is all brand new, this is a new world a new era, all new information. We’d like to hear your feedback on what you think about the transition to electric vehicles. What do these new laws changing mean for you? And what opinions do you have about this?
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For as little as $159 for most processes, we will save you the headache and prepare all of the car title paperwork needed to get you a new title. Simply choose the title recovery method you’d like to use and we’ll get started!
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Order Vermont Title LoopholeOrder Deceased Owner Title TransferOrder Bonded Title ProcessOrder Abandoned Vehicle ProcessOrder Prior Owner ContactOrder Lien Release Request LetterPGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLmFjdWl0eXNjaGVkdWxpbmcuY29tL3NjaGVkdWxlLnBocD9vd25lcj0xOTQ4ODEyNiZhcHBvaW50bWVudFR5cGU9MjMwNjY0MTAiIHRpdGxlPSJTY2hlZHVsZSBBcHBvaW50bWVudCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iODAwIiBmcmFtZUJvcmRlcj0iMCI+PC9pZnJhbWU+PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZW1iZWQuYWN1aXR5c2NoZWR1bGluZy5jb20vanMvZW1iZWQuanMiIHR5cGU9InRleHQvamF2YXNjcmlwdCI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+
When it comes down to deciding between a manual transmission or an automatic transmission, the decision is often one of preference rather than necessity. The difference between a manual transmission and an automatic transmission is all in the name. Manual transmissions require you to manually shift gears, while automatic transmissions shift gears for you automatically.
At the end of the day, it boils down to preference. However, there are some important things that you should know about both types of transmission and their pros and cons. Both are capable of getting the job done, it’s just a matter of what transmission works best for you.
When a loved one dies, questions can arise about what to do with their vehicle(s). Fortunately, most states have a process for transferring ownership of the vehicle to another party or for canceling the title altogether. While all states are different, there are general similarities that can help you get started on your deceased owner title transfer.
Before transferring a vehicle title from the deceased owner, you should check if the title has survivorship. If the title has survivorship, then the title is automatically transferred into the survivor’s name. If there is no survivorship, will the estate be probated? Meaning, has the deceased owner left a will that will go through the court system for the vehicle? If the answer is yes to either of these questions, you may be able to transfer ownership more quickly with official documents or a will from an attorney or bank.
If there is no will or probate needed, then you will have to seek permission from all other legal heirs before transferring ownership of any property into your name.
If the vehicle in question does not have a survivorship clause and the estate is not being probated, most states have a process by which one may obtain a title from a deceased owner. To apply for a new title from a deceased owner, you’ll typically need the following items:
Each state has a different application for title transfers. They can be found online or at your local Department of Motor Vehicles office. Before you begin, check with your state’s department to make sure you have all the right paperwork because there may be additional requirements in your state.
The inheritance affidavit is a document needed when transferring ownership of a vehicle from a deceased owner. This document outlines the ownership of the vehicle as assigned by all of the surviving heirs of the property/vehicle. In order to transfer ownership, all heirs must sign this document and it must be notarized.
The odometer disclosure provides a true and accurate statement of mileage at the time of sale. Some states allow for this to be disclosed on the bill of sale or the title application, although some states have a completely separate Odometer Disclosure process.
The bill of sale is written proof that you purchased the vehicle from the heir. Think of your bill of sale as a receipt of purchase. In many states, the bill of sale must be notarized for deceased owner title transfers. If it’s not required in your state, it may be beneficial to have the document notarized anyway to add extra legitimacy to your document.
If there is a lien on the vehicle, then the title is unable to be transferred until the lien is released from the lender. In some instances, for example, if the lien is more than 10 years old, the lender can send you a letter of non-interest in lieu of a lien release. This letter of non-interest states that the lender is no longer interested in pursuing the lien.
Not all states require the death certificate to be included in the application for title. However, be sure to check your state’s requirements prior to submitting your application.
Upon submission of the state title application for deceased owner transfer, make sure to include the appropriate title fees designated by your state.
The DMV title transfer process can be confusing and tedious, especially when you’re also dealing with the loss of a loved one. Remember as you are caring for your deceased loved one’s property you also remember to care for yourself. If there is an estate or survivorship, consider consulting or hiring a lawyer to assist you in this process. We always recommend getting good legal advice when transferring a title from a deceased owner, the DMV cannot provide legal advice.
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