Titling and Registration issue. Help!

[Chileno123]

Alright, so I bought an S2R 800 over the weekend from a guy in NC.

So I called a few insurance companies, and they all asked me where the Motorcycle will be garaged.

I told them Gaithersburg, MD (however I'm a DC resident, and have DC Driver's License). So they all said well If it is garaged in MD, then you we have to issue a MD policy, but we can have the coverage rates match the DC ones to be safe.

I went to the DMV, they won't let me register it because it's a MD policy. MD won't let me register it BC I'm a DC resident. The insurance companies won't issue a DC policy because I told them it's being garaged in MD.

What do I do?

[dcdev]

When you said Gaithersburg, did you just make that up, or do you have friends / family there? In that case you can switch your residence to MD and get a MD license - but then you'll need to switch titles on any other vehicles you own .
The only other option is to switch the ins. policy to DC. Are you going just for liability or full coverage?

[Chileno123]

I live in DC, but I'm going to be keeping the bike in my sister's garage in Gaithersburg (just because i don't want to keep in outside, and i figure it's safer inside a garage that out on the street). I can't switch residences because I have my car in DC and in order to have a parking permit, the car needs to be registered in DC.

aaaahhhhhhh

[Jetpuff716]

To obtain vehicle registration and title at a DC DMV service location, you must provide "proof of DC insurance coverage." Loop hole - if you who are serving in the military and residing in DC, you are not required to register vehicles in DC. Instead you can apply for a DC Reciprocity Permit.

Further, in order for a used vehicle to be registered in DC, it must pass a safety inspection. You can read the thread and all about DucatiHottie and her BF's troubles getting her bike through inspection.

I would suggest that you contact the insurance company and inform them that you are a DC resident. Based on the title and registration restrictions in DC, you need to have them provide the proof of DC coverage (regardless that you intend to keep the bike most of the time at your sister's home in Maryland). Bottom line, you will probably have to pay more, especially if you have full coverage.

Although, I think Ducati Culture has found a way to register his bike in MD while residing in DC???

[Chileno123]

so i just told this insurance co. that i'll just have to keep it in DC and the insurance went from like $200 to like $900.... great.... guess i have to do it. I called the maryland mva and they said that i could register it MD however i'd have to switch licenses within 60 days.

i hate this bureaucratic crap.

[Jetpuff716]

No great surprise that the cost for insuring a bike in DC is significantly higher than in MD.

I haven't looked into it, but I wonder if you could have the bike co-registered. I'm sure there is only a slim chance that this idea would work, but what if you and your sister could jointly register the bike?

If it's possible, you might be able to keep your DC license while also keeping the insurance premiums low. At a minimum, I would expect her name would need to appear as a co-purchaser on a notorized bill of sale and on the title showing transfer of ownership from the seller to both of you and her as the primary purchaser. Further, she'd probably have to provide proof that she has a valid MD motorcycle license. Although, it's a longshot, it might be worth spending a few hours looking into it as a way to potentially save $700.

[kc4ag]

The registration and title have to match names, IIRC.

[Jetpuff716]

That's right both would have to match. On my registration card there is a place for a "co-owner" to be listed. I don't have any of my titles handy, but I recall that it's similar place for co-owner to be shown on the title.

[dlowenst]

I think you got bum information from the State of MD.

For many years, up until about 5 years ago, I titled, registered and insured my bikes in MD using my in-law's address.

When I went to MD DMV, I was not required to obtain a MD drivers license, or transfer my DC license to MD. However, I did need to get a MD ID card (I can't remember the exact name for it - Codex I think), which I carried with me along with my DC drivers license and MD insurance card).

This is totally legal - many people have multiple residences and keep vehicles permanently garaged at each one. As a result, the state cannot force you to get a driver's license with them in order to register a vehicle (they can only force you to give up another license to get theirs).

The only legal issue you could face is the one of fraud with your insurance company - in theory they could void your policy if you tell them it's garaged in MD but you keep it in DC more than half the time.

Dave

[ducati culture]

Keep it simple
Get a md m class and a md policy
ur garage in md anywAY AND UNLESS
u r parked on dc street longer than the posted sign hours u r fine... olice: