From California Administrative Code:
13 CCR § 152.00. Motor Vehicle Bond Requirements.
(a) A motor vehicle owner applying for a California certificate of title without the required supporting evidence of ownership may submit a bond as authorized under Vehicle Code section 4157. The bond shall be executed by an admitted surety insurer on a Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond, form REG 5057 (REV. 12/2004), which is hereby incorporated by reference. The bond shall be subject to chapter 2 (commencing with Section 995.010), title 14, of part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(b) The penal sum of the bond shall be in the amount of the fair market value of the motor vehicle.
(1) The fair market value shall be determined by either:
(A) A written appraisal provided by a California licensed or other state licensed motor vehicle dealer or motor vehicle insurance representative; or
(B) Identification of the motor vehicle and its price variations based on information provided in a recognized industry motor vehicle valuation and pricing handbook, such as the Kelly Blue Book. The highest and lowest price variations shall be added together and then divided by two; the result is the average price of the vehicle. The average price shall be the fair market value.
(c) A motor vehicle owner applying for a California certificate of title without the required supporting evidence of ownership may submit a deposit equal to the monetary amount appraised in Section 152.00(b)(1)(A) or calculated in Section 152.00(b)(1)(B) in lieu of the bond as provided in Section 995.710 of the Code of Civil Procedure. The deposit in lieu of a surety bond shall be executed on a Vehicle, Vessel or Off-Highway Vehicle Title Deposit Agreement and Assignment, form REG 5059 (Rev. 1/2010), which is hereby incorporated by reference. The form shall meet the guidelines identified in the Code of Civil Procedure section 995.710. The form shall also identify the deposit method authorized by the Code of Civil Procedure section 995.710 that is chosen by the depositor.
From California Vehicle Code:
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 580. Specially constructed vehicle
A "specially constructed vehicle" is a vehicle which is built for private use, not for resale, and is not constructed by a licensed manufacturer or remanufacturer. A specially constructed vehicle may be built from (1) a kit; (2) new or used, or a combination of new and used, parts; or (3) a vehicle reported for dismantling, as required by Section 5500 or 11520, which, when reconstructed, does not resemble the original make of the vehicle dismantled. A specially constructed vehicle is not a vehicle which has been repaired or restored to its original design by replacing parts.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 4750.1. Application for registration of specialty constructed passenger vehicle or pickup truck; assignment of model-year; amnesty program participation fee
(a) If the department receives an application for registration of a specially constructed passenger vehicle or pickup truck after it has registered 500 specially constructed vehicles during that calendar year pursuant to Section 44017.4 of the Health and Safety Code, and the vehicle has not been previously registered, the vehicle shall be assigned the same model-year as the calendar year in which the application is submitted, for purposes of determining emissions inspection requirements for the vehicle.
(b)(1) If the department receives an application for registration of a specially constructed passenger vehicle or pickup truck that has been previously registered after it has registered 500 specially constructed vehicles during that calendar year pursuant to Section 44017.4 of the Health and Safety Code, and the application requests a model-year determination different from the model-year assigned in the previous registration, the application for registration shall be denied and the vehicle owner is subject to the emission control and inspection requirements applicable to the model-year assigned in the previous registration.
(2) For a vehicle participating in the amnesty program in effect from July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012, pursuant to Section 9565, the model-year of the previous registration shall be the calendar year of the year in which the vehicle owner applied for amnesty. However, a denial of an application for registration issued pursuant to this paragraph does not preclude the vehicle owner from applying for a different model-year determination and application for registration under Section 44017.4 of the Health and Safety Code in a subsequent calendar year.
(c)(1) The Bureau of Automotive Repair may charge the vehicle owner who applies to participate in the amnesty program a fee for each referee station inspection conducted pursuant to Section 9565. The fee shall be one hundred sixty dollars ($160) and shall be collected by the referee station performing the inspection.
(2) A contract to perform referee services may authorize direct compensation to the referee contractor from the inspection fees collected pursuant to paragraph (1). The referee contractor shall deposit the inspection fees collected from the vehicle owner into a separate trust account that the referee contractor shall account for and manage in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards and principles. Where the department conducts the inspections pursuant to Section 9565, the inspection fees collected by the department shall be deposited into the Vehicle Inspection and Repair Fund.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 4153. Special vehicles
If the vehicle to be registered is a specially constructed or remanufactured vehicle, the application shall also state that fact and contain additional information as may reasonably be required by the department to enable it properly to register the vehicle.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 5004. Vehicles of historic value
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any owner of a vehicle described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) which is operated or moved over the highway primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition or other similar purpose shall, upon application in the manner and at the time prescribed by the department, be issued special identification plates for the vehicle:
(1) A motor vehicle with an engine of 16 or more cylinders manufactured prior to 1965.
(2) A motor vehicle manufactured in the year 1922 or prior thereto.
(3) A vehicle which was manufactured after 1922, is at least 25 years old, and is of historic interest.
(b) The special identification plates assigned to motor vehicles with an engine of 16 or more cylinders manufactured prior to 1965 and to any motor vehicle manufactured in the year 1922 and prior thereto shall run in a separate numerical series, commencing with "Horseless Carriage No. 1".
The special identification plates assigned to vehicles specified in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) shall run in a separate numerical series, commencing with "Historical Vehicle No. 1".
Each series of plates shall have different and distinguishing colors.
(c) A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be charged for the initial issuance of the special identification plates. Such plates shall be permanent and shall not be required to be replaced. If such special identification plates become damaged or unserviceable in any manner, replacement for the plates may be obtained from the department upon proper application and upon payment of such fee as is provided for in Section 9265.
(d) All funds received by the department in payment for such identification plates or the replacement thereof shall be deposited in the California Environmental License Plate Fund.
(e) These vehicles shall not be exempt from the equipment provisions of Sections 26709, 27150, and 27600.
(f) As used in this section, a vehicle is of historic interest if it is collected, restored, maintained, and operated by a collector or hobbyist principally for purposes of exhibition and historic vehicle club activities.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 9401. Vehicles manufactured in or prior to 1936
(a) Motor vehicles manufactured in or prior to 1936, are exempted from the payment of the weight fees provided for in Section 9400.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), any person who owns and operates a commercial vehicle manufactured in or prior to 1936 which is registered to such person, may pay the appropriate weight fees, and the department shall issue license plates of the same type as are issued to vehicles which are required to pay weight fees for such vehicles.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 5004.1. License plate corresponding to model year date of licensed historical vehicle
(a)(1) An owner of a vehicle that is a 1980 or older model-year vehicle may, after the requirements for the registration of the vehicle are complied with and with the approval of the department, utilize license plates of this state with the date of year corresponding to the model-year date when the vehicle was manufactured, if the model-year date license plate is legible and serviceable, as determined by the department, in lieu of the license plates otherwise required by this code.
(2) The department may consult with an organization of old car hobbyists in determining whether the date of year of the license plate corresponds to the model-year date when the vehicle was manufactured.
(b) A fee of forty-five dollars ($45) shall be charged for the application for the use of the special plates.
(c) In addition to the regular renewal fee for the vehicle for which the plates are authorized, the applicant for a renewal of the plates shall be charged an additional fee of ten dollars ($10). If payment of a regular vehicle renewal fee is not required by this code, the holder of license plates with a date corresponding to the model-year may retain the plates upon payment of an annual fee of twenty dollars ($20) that shall be due at the expiration of the registration year of the vehicle to which the plates were last assigned under this section.
(d) If a person who is authorized to utilize the special license plates applies to the department for transfer of the plates to another vehicle, a transfer fee of twelve dollars ($12) shall be charged in addition to all other appropriate fees.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 9563. Rebuilt and restored passenger vehicle; registration application and fees
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this code, when a vehicle is rebuilt and restored to operation after it has been reported to be dismantled pursuant to Section 11520, the application shall be deemed to be an application for original registration of a new vehicle for determination of fees.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 5505. Total loss salvage vehicles and dismantled vehicles; application to register; inspections; proof of ownership; definitions
(a) This section applies to any vehicle reported to be a total loss salvage vehicle pursuant to Section 11515 and to any vehicle reported for dismantling pursuant to Section 5500 or 11520.
(b) Whenever an application is made to the Department of Motor Vehicles to register a vehicle described in subdivision (a), that department shall inspect the vehicle to determine its proper identity or request that the inspection be performed by the Department of the California Highway Patrol. An inspection by the Department of Motor Vehicles shall not preclude that department from referring the vehicle to the Department of the California Highway Patrol for an additional inspection if deemed necessary.
(c) The Department of the California Highway Patrol shall inspect, on a random basis, those vehicles described in subdivision (a) that have been presented to the Department of Motor Vehicles for registration after completion of the reconstruction process to determine the proper identity of those vehicles. The vehicle being presented for inspection shall be a complete vehicle, in legal operating condition. If the vehicle was originally manufactured with a "supplemental restraint system" as defined in Section 593, the reconstructed vehicle shall also be equipped with a supplemental restraint system in good working order that meets applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and conforms to the manufacturer's specifications for that vehicle. The inspection conducted pursuant to this subdivision shall be a comprehensive, vehicle identification number inspection.
(d) A salvage vehicle rebuilder, as defined in Section 543.5, or other individual in possession of a vehicle described in subdivision (a), who is submitting the vehicle for registration as described in subdivision (b), shall have available, and shall present upon demand of the Department of the California Highway Patrol, bills of sale, invoices, or other acceptable proof of ownership of component parts, and invoices for minor component parts. Additionally, bills of sale and invoices shall include the year, make, model, and the vehicle identification number of the vehicle from which the parts were removed or sold, the name and signature of the person from whom the parts were acquired, and his or her address, and telephone number. To assist in the identification of the seller of new or used parts, the number of the seller's driver's license, identification card, social security card, or Federal Employer Identification Number shall be provided by the seller to the buyer on the bills of sale and invoice. The seller of a salvage vehicle, or the agent of the seller, shall inform the purchaser of the vehicle that ownership documentation for certain replacement parts used in the repair of the vehicle will be required in the inspection required under this section.
(e) As used in this section, the term "component parts for passenger motor vehicles" includes supplemental restraint systems, the cowl or firewall, front-end assembly, rear clip, including the roof panel, the roof panel when installed separately, and the frame or any portion thereof, or in the case of a unitized body, the supporting structure that serves as the frame, each door, the hood, each fender or quarter panel, deck lid or hatchback, each bumper, both T-tops, replacement transmissions or transaxles, and a replacement motor.
(1) As used in this subdivision, "front-end assembly" includes all of the following: hood, fenders, bumper, and radiator supporting members for these items. For vehicles with a unitized body, the front-end assembly also includes the frame support members.
(2) As used in this subdivision, "rear clip" includes the roof, quarter panels, trunk lid, floor pan, and the support members for each item.
(f) As used in this section, "major component parts for trucks, truck-type or bus-type vehicles" includes the cab, the frame or any portion thereof, and, in the case of a unitized body, the supporting structure which serves as a frame, the cargo compartment floor panel or passenger compartment floor pan, roof panel, and replacement transmissions or transaxles, and replacement motors, each door, hood, each fender or quarter panel, each bumper, and the tailgate. All component parts identified in subdivision (e), common to a truck, truck-type or bustype vehicle, not listed in this section, shall be considered as included in this section if the part is replaced.
(1) "Major component parts for motorcycles" includes the engine or motor, transmission or transaxle, frame, front fork, and crankcase.
(2) "Minor component parts for motorcycles" includes the fairing and any other body molding.
(g) If the vehicle identification number, year, make, or model required under subdivision (d) cannot be determined, the Department of the California Highway Patrol may accept, in lieu of that information, a certification on a form provided by that department, signed by the person submitting the vehicle for inspection, that the part was not obtained by means of theft or fraud.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 10750. Altering or changing vehicle numbers
(a) No person shall intentionally deface, destroy, or alter the motor number, other distinguishing number, or identification mark of a vehicle required or employed for registration purposes without written authorization from the department, nor shall any person place or stamp any serial, motor, or other number or mark upon a vehicle, except one assigned thereto by the department.
(b) This section does not prohibit the restoration by an owner of the original vehicle identification number when the restoration is authorized by the department, nor prevent any manufacturer from placing in the ordinary course of business numbers or marks upon new motor vehicles or new parts thereof.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 10751. Manufacturer's serial or identification numbers; disposition; hearing; notice; application of section
(a) No person shall knowingly buy, sell, offer for sale, receive, or have in his or her possession, any vehicle, or component part thereof, from which any serial or identification number, including, but not limited to, any number used for registration purposes, that is affixed by the manufacturer to the vehicle or component part, in whatever manner deemed proper by the manufacturer, has been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed, unless the vehicle or component part has attached thereto an identification number assigned or approved by the department in lieu of the manufacturer's number.
(b) Whenever a vehicle described in subdivision (a), including a vehicle assembled with any component part which is in violation of subdivision (a), comes into the custody of a peace officer, it shall be destroyed, sold, or otherwise disposed of under the conditions as provided in an order by the court having jurisdiction. No court order providing for disposition shall be issued unless the person from whom the property was seized, and all claimants to the property whose interest or title is on registration records in the Department of Motor Vehicles, are provided a postseizure hearing by the court having jurisdiction within 90 days after the seizure. This subdivision shall not apply with respect to a seized vehicle or component part used as evidence in any criminal action or proceeding. Nothing in this section shall, however, preclude the return of a seized vehicle or a component part to the owner by the seizing agency following presentation of satisfactory evidence of ownership and, if determined necessary, upon the assignment of an identification number to the vehicle or component part by the department.
(c) Whenever a vehicle described in subdivision (a) comes into the custody of a peace officer, the person from whom the property was seized, and all claimants to the property whose interest or title is on registration records in the Department of Motor Vehicles, shall be notified within five days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after the seizure, of the date, time, and place of the hearing required in subdivision (b). The notice shall contain the information specified in subdivision (d).
(d) Whenever a peace officer seizes a vehicle described in subdivision (a), the person from whom the property was seized shall be provided a notice of impoundment of the vehicle which shall serve as a receipt and contain the following information:
(1) Name and address of person from whom the property was seized.
(2) A statement that the vehicle seized has been impounded for investigation of a violation of Section 10751 of the California Vehicle Code and that the property will be released upon a determination that the serial or identification number has not been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed, or upon the presentation of satisfactory evidence of ownership of the vehicle or a component part, if no other person claims an interest in the property; otherwise, a hearing regarding the disposition of the vehicle shall take place in the proper court.
(3) A statement that the person from whom the property was seized, and all claimants to the property whose interest or title is on registration records in the Department of Motor Vehicles, will receive written notification of the date, time, and place of the hearing within five days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, after the seizure.
(4) Name and address of the law enforcement agency where evidence of ownership of the vehicle or component part may be presented.
(5) A statement of the contents of Section 10751 of the Vehicle Code.
(e) A hearing on the disposition of the property shall be held by the superior court within 90 days after the seizure. The hearing shall be before the court without a jury. A proceeding under this section is a limited civil case.
(1) If the evidence reveals either that the serial or identification number has not been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed or that the number has been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed but satisfactory evidence of ownership has been presented to the seizing agency or court, the property shall be released to the person entitled thereto. Nothing in this section precludes the return of the vehicle or a component part to a good faith purchaser following presentation of satisfactory evidence of ownership thereof upon the assignment of an identification number to the vehicle or component part by the department.
(2) If the evidence reveals that the identification number has been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed, and satisfactory evidence of ownership has not been presented, the vehicle shall be destroyed, sold, or otherwise disposed of as provided by court order.
(3) At the hearing, the seizing agency has the burden of establishing that the serial or identification number has been removed, defaced, altered, or destroyed and that no satisfactory evidence of ownership has been presented.
(f) This section does not apply to a scrap metal processor engaged primarily in the acquisition, processing, and shipment of ferrous and nonferrous scrap, and who receives dismantled vehicles from licensed dismantlers, licensed junk collectors, or licensed junk dealers as scrap metal for the purpose of recycling the dismantled vehicles for their metallic content, the end product of which is the production of material for recycling and remelting purposes for steel mills, foundries, smelters, and refiners.
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 10752. Manufacturer's or governmental serial or identification numbers; possession or sale; penalties
(a) No person shall, with intent to prejudice, damage, injure, or defraud, acquire, possess, sell, or offer for sale any genuine or counterfeit manufacturer's serial or identification number from or for, or purporting to be from or for, a vehicle or component part thereof.
(b) No person shall, with intent to prejudice, damage, injure, or defraud, acquire, possess, sell, or offer for sale any genuine or counterfeit serial or identification number issued by the department, the Department of the California Highway Patrol, or the vehicle registration and titling agency of any foreign jurisdiction which is from or for, or purports to be from or for, a vehicle or component part thereof.
(c) Every person convicted of a violation of subdivision (a) or (b) shall be punished by imprisonment pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or in the county jail for not less than 90 days nor more than one year, and by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000).
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 4453. Contents of registration card
(a) The registration card shall contain upon its face, the date issued, the name and residence or business address or mailing address of the owner and of the legal owner, if any, the registration number assigned to the vehicle, and a description of the vehicle as complete as that required in the application for registration of the vehicle.
(b) The following motor vehicles shall be identified as such on the face of the registration card whenever the department is able to ascertain that fact at the time application is made for initial registration or transfer of ownership of the vehicle:
(1) A motor vehicle rebuilt and restored to operation that was previously declared to be a total loss salvage vehicle because the cost of repairs exceeds the retail value of the vehicle.
(2) A motor vehicle rebuilt and restored to operation that was previously reported to be dismantled pursuant to Section 11520. …
West's Ann. Cal. Vehicle Code § 4161. Engine and motor change notification; distinguishing vehicle identification number; replacement engine case for motorcycles
(a) Whenever a motor vehicle engine or motor is installed, except temporarily, in a motor vehicle which is identified on the ownership and registration certificates by motor or engine number or by both the motor and frame numbers and subject to registration under this code, the owner of the motor vehicle shall, within 10 days thereafter, give notice to the department upon a form furnished by it containing a description of the motor vehicle engine or motor installed, including any identifying number thereon and the date of the installation. The owner of the motor vehicle shall also submit to the department with the notice the certificate of ownership and registration card covering the motor vehicle in which the motor vehicle engine or motor is installed and evidence of ownership covering the new or used motor vehicle engine or motor installed and such other documents as may be required by the department.
(b) Upon receipt of motor vehicle engine or motor change notification and other required documents, the department shall assign a distinguishing vehicle identification number to motor vehicles, other than motorcycles or motor-driven cycles registered under a motor number or motor and frame numbers. When the distinguishing vehicle identification number is placed on the vehicle as authorized, the vehicle shall thereafter be identified by the distinguishing identification number assigned.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or any other provision of law, whenever an application is made to the department to register a replacement engine case for any motorcycle, the department shall request the Department of the California Highway Patrol to inspect the motorcycle to determine its proper identity. If the replacement engine case bears the same identifying numbers as the engine case being replaced, the original engine case shall be destroyed. A determination verifying proof of destruction shall be made by the Department of the California Highway Patrol.
West's Ann. Cal. Rev. & T. Code § 10753.5. Vehicles of historic value
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this part, the annual amount of the license fee for a vehicle that has been assigned a special identification plate or plates as described in Section 5004 of the Vehicle Code shall be two dollars ($2).
West's Ann. Cal .Ins. Code § 671. Refusal to issue policy based solely on age of automobile if market value exceeds $2,500; prohibited; exceptions
No insurer issuing an automobile collision policy, as defined in Section 660, or a policy for comprehensive coverage for an automobile, as defined in Section 11580.07, shall refuse to issue the policy of insurance, or the policy in combination with other coverages, when the refusal is based solely on the age of the automobile to be insured, if the market value of the automobile exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
This section does not apply to any policy which includes coverage for losses resulting from wear and tear or from normal deterioration of an automobile or its component parts, nor to any policy which provides coverage for an antique or classic automobile.