How to get a title on an abandoned truck in New York?

Posted by carpenterbiddles@reddit | projectcar | View on Reddit | 16 comments

I'm from Long Island, NY, and I have been gifted an 1994 Chevy truck without a title. It originally belonged to my uncles best friend, he gave it to him over 10 years ago before he died. My uncle died a few months back, and the truck has been sitting in the same spot since it was dropped off over 10 years ago.

My other uncle told me to take the truck as he knows I always wanted it. He gave me the keys today and we looked up and down for a title but cannot find one. It's a cool truck and I know I can take it and part it out, but I want to keep it and restore it. The problem is I don't wanna dump a dollar into it without a title. Even getting it towed to my house is gonna run at least $300. So what can I do? I don't think my uncle ever registered it in his name, as he had health problems and never drove it. He would let it run every now and then, and charge the battery.

New York laws are pretty strict, but there has to be a way to get a title after someone is deceased no?

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Obvious-Dinner-1082@reddit

Make friends with someone in VT.

Threewisemonkey@reddit

Here is the process

Doesn’t seem like you have everything you need. I’d trade it to someone who wants a parts / race truck. OBS Chevys have gone up a lot in price in the past few years and have strong following

frsbrzgti@reddit

Montana maybe

scotts_dale@reddit

I have never used them personally, but I think k they are legit.

dirt legal

illictcelica@reddit

Thank you!

No problem , I didn't see the price. Holy smokes.

For what you are doing, and what you can get...it "may" be worth it.

You might be able to do it yourself if you do a bit more digging. Maybe try South Dakota or Montana dmv websites or over the phone, maybe?

You "can" do it yourself. I've seen several dozen posts of people that did it here on reddit. I know a bunch of people were doing it up here when Reno changed it's smog requirement to include all vehicles built after 1967.

You aren't paying for your car to be registered in another state. You are paying for the paperwork being filled out, not having to deal with the dmv, and not ending up in jail for lying on a form because you didn't understand something.

TheSeansk1@reddit

Why would you ask a bunch of random strangers on the internet instead of calling your local DMV first?!

carpenterbiddles@reddit (OP)

I did contact DMV, but they take 5 days to get back to you. NY DMV is pretty strict though.

You can’t walk into an office and talk to someone?

By the time I get off work they are closed. I could potentially leave early one day. Again I have no paperwork whatsoever.

Ok. They’re going to be your only real choice… we talk about our project cars, mods, etc. this isn’t r/legaladvice or anything, you’re hoping for someone to know the intricacies of the NY SOS system here. Not likely to have any help, best bet is to either leave work early and visit an office, or wait for them to get back to you.

Brainfewd@reddit

NYS DMV isn’t going to be much help here. We issue title for everything after 1973, and without it you’re basically SOL. The only thing you could maybe do is try and get a bonded title.

Or register one of stage with a loophole like South Dakota or something if that’s still viable. It used to be VT but they closed that a little bit ago.

juwyro@reddit

Call your DMV. Some States don't even issue titles for old vehicles, there's usually some kind of process for registering and selling them.