Ye Olde DMV

June 3, 2008 4:24 AM

Where would one research the various laws and regulations of a state's Department of Motor Vehicles of 20-50 years ago?

I'm sure that this stuff is on file somewhere, somehow. And if I knew how to find it, it would certainly make the process of getting titles for 20-50 year old small displacement motorcycles (most of which were originally purchased for farm/off-road use and probably never had a title in the first place) easier.

Virginia is #1 on my wish list, followed by Ohio, NY, PA, and NJ, but I certainly wouldn't say no to other states (especially if the vintage lawbooks can be found online).

posted by modernpoverty to law & government (5 comments total)

I'm not sure why you need to research old lawbooks to get a title for your motorcycles (there must be some provision for antique vehicles), but, for Virginia, this looks like what you describe. Unfortunately it's only on Google Books with the lamentable "snippet view", but it looks like you can access it via Lexis, which you might be able to do at a good library. For other states search similarly on books.google.com "Ohio statutes", etc.
posted by beagle at 6:04 AM on June 3

A state's code or statutes might not be much help -- often, all the statute does is give rule-making or regulation-making authority to the state agency, and the subsequent rules/regs. have the force of law, but don't appear in the statutes. You might want to try contacting the DMV directly. Or, it's possible that the state law library may have this information. Here's the one for VA.
posted by JanetLand at 6:57 AM on June 3

in the mind of the all-powerful dmv, a vehicle has a title, period. if it doesn't have a title, it doesn't exist or it was stolen. in reality, that isn't entirely the case, depending on what state the vehicle was originally sold in and the specific yesteryear that it was originally purchased.

in any event, the links provided are definitely a good place to start. thanks!!
posted by modernpoverty at 9:22 AM on June 3

To find statutes and regs you're asking for, you'll have to go to the state law libraries, or to the libraries at the public law schools in each of those states to find what you're looking for. Almost nobody has digitized vintage law books, because there's really not much need for such materials. In other words, both JanetLand and beagle are giving you really good advice, as well as helpful sites. Here's the Jersey info.

Best of luck. You may need the assistance of legal counsel, or at least a notary, if you have no other documentation of purchase. And again, if these are off-road vehicles, you may not be able to complete this documentation at all. Hence my suggestion that you talk with counsel.
posted by deejay jaydee at 9:39 AM on June 3

Try that state's legislative library, state library, and state archives. If you are lucky, you will be able to talk to a librarian or an archivist over the phone who may be able to do some legwork for you but, as far as digital resources, you are probably SOL.
posted by Foam Pants at 1:49 PM on June 3