§ 20-53. Application for specially constructed, reconstructed, or foreign vehicle. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 20‑53.  Applicationfor specially constructed, reconstructed, or foreign vehicle.

(a)        In the event thevehicle to be registered is a specially constructed, reconstructed, or foreignvehicle, such fact shall be stated in the application, and with reference toevery foreign vehicle which has been registered outside of this State, theowner shall surrender to the Division all registration cards, certificates oftitle or notarized copies of original titles on vehicles 35 model years old andolder, or other evidence of such foreign registration as may be in hispossession or under his control, except as provided in subsection (b) hereof.After initial review, the Division shall return to the owner any originaltitles presented on vehicles 35 model years old and older appropriately markedindicating that the title has been previously submitted.

(b)        Where, in thecourse of interstate operation of a vehicle registered in another state, it isdesirable to retain registration of said vehicle in such other state, suchapplicant need not surrender, but shall submit for inspection said evidence ofsuch foreign registration, and the Division in its discretion, and upon aproper showing, shall register said vehicle in this State but shall not issue acertificate of title for such vehicle.

(c),(d)  Repealed by SessionLaws 1965, c. 734, s. 2.

(e)        No title shall beissued to an initial applicant for (i) out‑of‑state vehicles thatare 35 model years old or older or (ii) a specially constructed vehicle priorto the completion of a vehicle verification conducted by the License and TheftBureau of the Division of Motor Vehicles. These verifications shall beconducted as soon as practical. For an out‑of‑state vehicle that is35 model years old or older, this inspection shall consist of verifying thepublic vehicle identification number to ensure that it matches the vehicle andownership documents. No covert vehicle identification numbers are to beexamined on an out‑of‑state vehicle 35 model years or older unlessthe inspector develops probable cause to believe that the ownership documentsor public vehicle identification number presented does not match the vehiclebeing examined. However, upon such application and the submission of anyrequired documentation, the Division shall be authorized to register thevehicle pending the completion of the verification of the vehicle. Theregistration shall be valid for one year but shall not be renewed unless anduntil the vehicle examination has been completed.

(f)         If a vehicle ownerdesires a vehicle title classification change, he or she may, upon properapplication, be eligible for a reclassification.  (1937, c. 407, s. 18; 1949,c. 675; 1953, c. 853; 1957, c. 1355; 1965, c. 734, s. 2; 1975, c. 716, s. 5;2009‑405, s. 5.)