Vehicle Registration, Etc.

[CauseImANinja]

I'm aware of all the hassle and expense of getting a car from the U.S. through customs. However, if I were to get my car onto DR soil, what needs to be done to make it appear legal to drive? I have used the "Search" function extensively. So far, I've found it needs insurance, registration, plates, and inspection. So questions, ...

The car was made in '94. I'm aware of the 5 years rule, but let's say the car was already there, and Customs was not an issue.

1. What do you need to show the insurance agency to get coverage from a DR insurance company?

2. If your U.S. policy covers your car being overseas, will the DR view that as valid insurance?

3. What do you need to get the registration?

4. What is needed to get the plates?

5. What documents do you need to present to get the inspection?

6. Are any items/documents needed for questions 1-5 obtainable only through Customs? Or, could I still get them if Customs was avoided entirely?

7. What do the police ask for when they pull you over?

8. What are the penalties for not having insurance? DR plates? Registration? Inspection?

9. What kinds of cars do the police drive?

 

[MikeFisher]

sounds like you brought a car over by ferry from puerto rico.
such has it's plates and insurance of origin valid here for a specific time period/like the tourist visa for a visitor.
don't know the exact max time period, sorry.
to keep the car here legally steadily would need to get that car it's dominican matricula/plates, to do so it has to pass customs, and customs will not let it pass due to the 5 years rule.

maybe somebody else experienced something different,
i never imported a car myself,
so i just state what the rules/laws say about importation of vehicles.

btw,
welcome to DR1, Ninja
Mike

 

[CauseImANinja]

Thanks for the welcome, Mike.

I'd be coming from the U.S. My idea is just to put my car on a boat, pull up to a DR beach a couple hundred yards from the house I'll be staying at, lower the ramp, and drive home. I won't be driving the car a lot there. Won't need to use it daily. Just on those beautiful sunny days that are perfect for a nice long drive. Aside from that it'll be in the garage.
A little explanation: All boys have a playing with cars phase when they're little. I never really out grew mine. I'll be putting one car in storage here in the U.S. while I'm abroad. I'm letting trusted friends hang on to 2 others. But this particular one I want to take with me. I've had the car for several years. I've put in tons of wrench time. I'm very attached.
I'm only planning on being in the DR 6 months to 1 year. Then, maybe Europe? I would love to drive this car on the Autobahn! But, you never know. I may like the DR so much that I end up sticking around awhile longer.

In short, I just need it to appear legal to the local authorities and pass a traffic stop or road block. My insurance company will gladly take care of everyone in the event I cause an accident. I'm not trying to circumvent any public safety mechanism, just wanting to circumvent corrupt customs agents. (And that 5 year thingy.)

 

[PJT]

You seem to be going to a lot of trouble to maintain your emotional attachment to the car; especially, when you think you will be in the DR only a year. It may be very costly for the short term and not worth the bother.

AMET, the transportation police, have the power, legal and otherwise, to impound a vehicle without proper paperwork. If you are stopped by the police for a traffic infraction or just for looking like a foreigner with lots of money. They will ask for your drivers license; (foreign license good only for 90 days after entry into country); ID = cedula, passport, or resident identification; registration/matricula; proof of inspection; and proof of insurance. If you are faulting any of these items or they don't seem in order, good-bye car ....off to the impound yard. Unless, you are a good talker or know people in high places.

Best bet, bring the vehicle in legal or better yet use the moneys you would transport you car in and out of the country to purchase a used one for the time you are here.

Good luck and Regards,
PJT

 

[FireGuy]

What you are proposing, excluding the regs regarding importation of automobiles, sounds to me (I'm not a lawyer) like smuggling and if caught your issues with auto importation will be the least of your problems. Charges would be criminal in nature and I think DNCD would strip your prize auto to it's smallest constituent part looking for the drugs they would expect were hidden in it. In addition the vessel used to transport the smuggled goods (the car) could well be subject to seizure.

Just one man's opinion.

Gregg

 

[MikeFisher]

the other vehicle used for the smuggle, the Boat, would be seized also and like the car with no chance of getting any of them back.

Ninja,
what you are talking about sounds really like a big kids thought of an special adventure, to the authorities it will be just a criminal action which can end up with prison time, aside of the loss of car and boat aso.
sounds like you wanna come in with a big boat, car on board, ramp to unload without a crane, will be hard to find a piece of coastline where a huge boat can come close enough to the beach to unload a car over a ramp without throwing that car into the water.

coming in with a boat anyways requires to pass at the port authorities of the nearest port first with immigrations and customs personel present.
hitting the beach without doing so with a boat may result in the loss of boat and car under coast guards fire.

forget about that big idea,
you are talking about a criminal activity,
not a theme for a DR board.
Mike

 

[mido]

I think you hit the "nail on the top" Mike.

 

[cougar]

i'm a car guy too, what kind of car is it? i had to leave my cougar in the states, i miss my baby everyday

 

[CauseImANinja]

Oops. It never even crossed my mind that it would be "smuggling". Yall are right though, I guess it would be. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
The car is a 1994 Viper RT/10 Convertible. I had it since 1998. Over the years I've went all John Hennessy on it. Tore down then remanufactured the engine myself. I custom built a lot of things on the car. It puts down a little over 1,000 hp.
Anyone in the DR1 community that's in a high ranking Customs position?

 

[MikeFisher]

that's right windeguy,
i left behind and sold in germany dragster i built on my own and my baby sis has the 911 in the garage since.
hey Ninja,
sounds just from the very short description exactly like the toy we men don't wanna cut loose, but it really would not be much fun on our roadsystem.
on the other hand:
are ya still looking for a pirate driving that boat to a 'docking' position quick in and out?
ha ha
keep it save at home till you know where you finally will end, and make your decision then.
good luck
Mike

 

[bienamor]

Best bet

Oops. It never even crossed my mind that it would be "smuggling". Yall are right though, I guess it would be. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
The car is a 1994 Viper RT/10 Convertible. I had it since 1998. Over the years I've went all John Hennessy on it. Tore down then remanufactured the engine myself. I custom built a lot of things on the car. It puts down a little over 1,000 hp.
Anyone in the DR1 community that's in a high ranking Customs position?

Cover it, set for storage, have it waiting for you when you get back, the roads here would not be good for it, and if you got it hit what then.

COVER IT, SET UP FOR STORAGE, LET IT WAIT ON YOU, WILL BE BETTER FOR THE CAR, AND YOUR PEACE OF MIND!

 

[rsg]

I can see it now, some high ranking general in Santo Domingo cruising around in that viper after they seize it from you when you try to smuggle it in.:ninja::
But a safer way to get the car in illegaly would be the PUERTO RICO route. I'ts easy to get a car in to puerto Rico, and then on a ferry here.
You might want to check on the exemptions given on the five year rule if the car is labeled a classic..And furthermore the five year rule is not set in stone. I know people who get older cars in to the DR all the time, you just pay a higher fee based on the fee that a newer vehicle would warrant.I'ts done every day.

 

[Black Dog]

This is the stuff movies are made of, I'm thinking midnight express LOL

 

[MikeFisher]

yeap,
Midnight Express is one of my ole favs, he he
Mike

 

[rsg]

The only part that is like midnight express will be the op stuck in a dominican jail call when he tries to smuggle a car in to the dr.

 

[Black Dog]

That's what I was picturing!

 

[Black Dog]

For a more serious reply to the OP "just DON'T do it"

 

[MikeFisher]

The only part that is like midnight express will be the op stuck in a dominican jail call when he tries to smuggle a car in to the dr.

that been exactly what we tried to picture, and there would not be a car to finally escape, lol

That's what I was picturing!

yeap,
that's been the picyure several of us tried to bring up.
the final paint?
who knows?
ha ha
Mike