Georgia bus title change

[ruthi]

OK, I know I did a post a while back about this, but, we are close to needing to get our bus titled, and want to make sure we do it right so there are no problems. So, I am wondering if there is anyone in Georgia who has gone thru changing the title to a motorhome. We have everything in it now, so that is not a problem. Insuring it isnt a problem, as we will just switch over our current insurance. Any hints are appreciated. Thanks, Ruthi

[buddydawg]

Since your bus is a 1974 the serial number will probably not show up in the database.  This is to your advantage.  If this is the case you will have to have the serial number verified.  There is some paperwork from the tag office that will need to be filled out and verified by a local police officer.  Just tell them you have a motor coach or conversion and they will issue the vehicle registration as a "housecar" as Georgia calls them.  That is how it went for me.  Hope this helps.

I just saw where your new bus is a 1998.  In this case still hope that the number is not in the database.  If it shows up as a bus, I know that some people have had problems changing the title.  This is largely dependent on the county that you live in.  You might try going to the tag office on a day that is not so busy.

[JackConrad]

Buddy,
   I think Ruthi's Dina is newer the '74. By the way we were in your neighbrhood for Easter Dinner.  We are presently visiting John & Lois near Dearing.  Are Ya'll going to Palmetto Cove? (see http://www.busconversions.com/bbs/index.php?topic=15073.0 )  Jack

[Len Silva]

I can't help you specifically with Georgia, but my experience in Florida is to stay away from the bigger cities if possible.  A rural tag office in the middle of the month and find a friendly face to help you out.

[ruthi]

Sorry, the old bus is a gm, the new one we are going to change title is the Dina, 1998.

[wildbob24]

Ruthi,

My experience is anecdotal, but maybe it will help. Georgia does not issue a title for vehicles manufactured before 1986. So the older coaches are generally easier to register. Your 1998 Dina will require a title so the process will be a little more involved.

Now the anecdote: I have a friend who bought a seated, 1988 MCI 102A3 in New Jersey. He drove it back to Georgia and went to the State's main title office, near the Atlanta airport, to transfer the title. He told the person he dealt with that it was now a motorhome and that's how they listed it. He says that it was as simple as that.

You don't need insurance to get the title, but do need it to buy the tag. If you're going to take the 4905 off the road, you'll need to cancel that registration and you'll be able to switch the tag on it over to the Dina (unless it's a historic/antique tag), and save that $20.

If you cancel the insurance on the 4905 and don't cancel the registration within 30 days, the state will do it for you and impose a fine while they're at it.

Hope you guys are doing well,

Bob

[compedgemarine]

actually Georgia does issue titles for anything from the early 60's up if the vehicle has a current title. if it is over 25 years old and the "chain of title" has been broken, i.e. the previous owner lost the paper title, then they will transfer ownership with a current registration and a bill of sale and they will not issue a new paper title. anything older than I think 1962 they will not issue a paper title no matter what. If the bus is old enough to not have a 17 character VIN make it easier on yourself and get the form and have a law officer do a "VIN verification". They never questioned anything on mine when I transfered but we did a VIN verification as it came from Alabama and has a 5 digit VIN. I am also in a small town in North Georgia so they were easy to deal with.
steve

[Chopper Scott]

I had to make a title for a trike I made from scratch. I had nothing but a bill of sale for the engine and the body. In fact I had to go through a similar ordeal with a boat I purchased that the title work was not up to snuff. It's called a bonded title. Basically you buy a bond with your insurance agent. It's relatively cheap. As mine was through the State of Nebraska it will probably differ from other states. I am sure that other states have similar measures. Do a search on your state's dmv. A hassle, yes, but nothing impossible.

[wildbob24]

compedgemarine wrote:

"actually Georgia does issue titles for anything from the early 60's up if the vehicle has a current title"

You're right, but from 1963-1985 titles in Georgia are optional, not required......I just didn't want to muddy the waters with info that wasn't relevant to Ruthi's situation.

Bob

[trapper]

Ruthi,
I have been reading the posts here for a while and would like to be a busnut someday. Like you I live in GA and just reciently I was looking at a passenger bus. I called everyone from my local tag office to Atlanta and everyone I talked to said you could not change the designation on the titlle. When you do get the title finished would you post to this subject and let us know how things went and what process you went through.
trapper

[ruthi]

yep, will do. I am going to be doing that in the next couple of weeks.

[Mike in GA]

Ruthi:
Not sure if you replied to the earlier post, are you going up to the April in the Carolinas rally?
Never too late to register. It runs April 22-25.
Mike in GA

[ruthi]

I sure wish we could, but it didnt work out for us. But.........we are planning on going to the one on Halloween this yr. Hopefully the Dina will be done, as well as done can be,lol. We are sure going to do our best to plan work around that one. Hopefully have windshields by that time, lol

[James77MCI8]

When I titled my MCi . I went into the DMV and told them that it was a motorhome nad they titled it as such

[ruthi]

I hope it goes that well for us. I will be the one going down to the DMV and trying to get this done. I will pick a day that is nice and I am in a good mood, and a less busy time, and hope for the best. Maybe being in a small town, it will go good. I wonder if having a couple of pictures helps?