Registering my Z in Texas.

[LoneStarS30Z]

Sooo as the title eludes to, I'm wanting to register my Z in my legal state of residence sometime late this year/early next year when I get to take leave from here overseas.

 

I did some googling and searches on here, and to this thread:

 

My linkhttp://forums.hybridz.org/index.php?/topic/32137-texas-emissions/page__p__252563__hl__register%20texas__fromsearch__1&&do=findComment&comment=252563

 

...to register it as a classic, it only needs a visual inspection, no emissions needed. That thread is a few years old, can any of you guys confirm that the visual inspection only rule is still in effect?

 

Could I ask get a SOLID list of things they'll check?

 

From what I've read they check the common sense stuff. All working lights, mirrors, turn signals, wipers and well.....horn, which I don't have, so hopefully they won't be anal over that.

 

Tried to get my wife to give the DMV a call, but they put her on hold and hung up on her twice. She quickly lost interest.

 

Thanks fellas.

Edited May 24, 2010 by LoneStarS30Z

[z2go]

When I registered an out of state Z in Texas a few years ago, this is how it went:

 

I took it to a shady, hole in the wall inspection center, and for the nominal fee, the guy looked briefly at the car, drove it in a circle in a parking lot once, and I think he may have tried the horn and windshield wipers. Tada! Registered.

 

I think it also depends on where you are, I know that parts of Texas (i.e., Austin, Houston) are starting up, if they haven't already, SMOG requirements. Might want to check their DOT website.

[Rolling Parts]

...to register it as a classic, it only needs a visual inspection, no emissions needed. That thread is a few years old, can any of you guys confirm that the visual inspection only rule is still in effect?

 

Could I ask get a SOLID list of things they'll check?

 

OK,

Registration and Inspection are 2 different animals.

1)Registration can be either normal or as a Classic, it's just the State tying you to the car (and collecting it's taxes).

2)Inspection on ANY 25+ year old car (classic or not) is safety only so no emission check is done.

Edited May 24, 2010 by Rolling Parts

[LoneStarS30Z]

Well I pray to god they don't change it before I get the chance to get it registered and looked at. Thanks guys.

[slownrusty]

I will be registering my highly modified ZX Turbo in Houston in the next month or two..so I will let you know...this car has zero emissions parts on it, no EGR, no cat, no charcoal canister...and so it will be interesting to see how that goes!

 

As an aside I know for a FACT because I checked with the local DMV (Harris County where I live)...that if you drive your car LESS than 5,000miles per year, your car is 20+ years old and fail the smog test twice you can ask for a waiver.

 

Hope this helps.

Yasin

[Sumo]

In the Dallas and Tarrant County or any major metro area like Harris etc. vehicles 25 yrs. old or older are emissions exempt only safety inspections are done such as brakes, hand brake, horn, wipers lights etc. If the vehicle is 1995 and below it goes on the dyno emissions test. 1996 and above they just check your computer thru the obd II port making sure no codes came up and of course the safety part too.

Registering for classic is another story which i don't know anything about.

[emeraldlion]

In order to register the car you have to have prrof of recent inspection though. Even as a classic. Take to an inspection station tacked on to a jiffy lube or something. No emissions here in dfw yet on 25 or older like the above guys stated

[josh817]

OK,

Registration and Inspection are 2 different animals.

1)Registration can be either normal or as a Classic, it's just the State tying you to the car (and collecting it's taxes).

2)Inspection on ANY 25+ year old car (classic or not) is safety only so no emission check is done.

Exactly! Be careful about classic registration because it will put a limit on how many miles you can drive annually, I think. Like everyone is saying, 25 years or older you get checked for only safety when inspected. Lights, turn signals, seat belts, tires, wipers, and a weird one, highbeam indicator in your gauge. If you have some sketchy things on your car, find a shady place.

 

I went to some place that was sketchy to get inspected because it was close by. I knew they didn't have much of any business, so I pull in. Unknowingly, I figured out they were 2 Islamic fellows and then I was like uh oh they're going to hate me because I pulled in right at 4:55 PM and I think their prayers start at 5 PM. However, it worked out better because all he did was honk the horn and turn the lights on, and I was on my way. As I was driving out, all the prayers came on the TV so I assumed they rushed me through so they wouldn't miss them.

 

One more thing to note! Be careful with classic plates! I have '72 plates and apparently Texas will reuse license plate numbers after so many years. I was doing defensive driving on the computer and they ask you security questions so every time it asked what make and model is my car I would miss it. I wound up changing the vehicle to my moms car so I could finish the class. When I went to the DMV they told us there was some lady in Texas with the same plate numbers. They said we could change ours (not doing, I love my plates) or just wait it out until the lady has to change hers, however if she ever comes into the DFW area and gets pulled over, it may count on my record as well as hers. This was proved when I got pulled over going to College Station and the police officer took like an hour because his computer wasn't pulling up a Z car, it was pulling up a Honda.

[LoneStarS30Z]

Thanks for all the info guys.

 

I have one more nit picky question just to make sure I'm understanding right.

 

Is registering it as a classic the same thing as wanting to register it as a car for everyday use? I thought antique was the one that limits how much you can use it. Is the only difference between registering as a classic or as a daily driver the amount I pay for registration?

 

I'm not so much as a stickler on the plates as much as I want to avoid emissions. So to get it approved for everyday use, only the safety inspection is needed correct? I think I'm good to go on everything besides not having a horn, which I believe someone somewhere may make an easy to install horn kit.

[Mikez31ss]

I bought my '73 from Washington back in November/December. Having an out of state title/registration, it had to pass inspection before I could get title and registration. Inspection is basic. If the lights, horn, brakes work and you have insurance, you pass. If it has an out of state title/reg, the inspection station gives you a form to take to the courthouse. Then you go to the courthouse and do the title/registration thing. They'll explain the antique/classic thing for you. That type of registration wasn't something I wanted to do.

If you're in the Spring Branch area try Mayco on Long Point.

Edited May 27, 2010 by Mikez31ss

[josh817]

Thanks for all the info guys.

 

I have one more nit picky question just to make sure I'm understanding right.

 

Is registering it as a classic the same thing as wanting to register it as a car for everyday use? I thought antique was the one that limits how much you can use it. Is the only difference between registering as a classic or as a daily driver the amount I pay for registration?

 

I'm not so much as a stickler on the plates as much as I want to avoid emissions. So to get it approved for everyday use, only the safety inspection is needed correct? I think I'm good to go on everything besides not having a horn, which I believe someone somewhere may make an easy to install horn kit.

I think you're right. What I got confused was classic car insurance, and antique car registration, both limit mileage. Classic car insurance from Hagerty limits the miles so its cheap, yet I don't THINK they are stringent on money if there is an accident. I think you tell them how much you want it covered. I'm unsure how it works.

[sticky280zx]

heres the easy way, register it like you would any other car and just pay the 15$ for a simple safety only, beep beep inspection every year and go on. Dont worry about all that classic crap especially if you dont know what you are doing and are going to be driving it regularly.