Lethal Registration

Quick Links
Lethal Locost
Body
Chassis
Drivetrain
Suspension
Electrical
Interior
MegaSquirt
Registration
First Drive
Racing
Media
Daily Driving

Theory

This has been, by far, the most frustrating part of the project.

What is supposed to happen:

  1. If the frame is homebuilt you may be required to undergo a Structural Integrity inspection
  2. Apply to the province for a Ubilt VIN (technically it is a “Replikit,” but since you are not a manufacturer who can affix your own VIN, you register as a Ubilt)
  3. The completed car must undergo a Private Vehicle Inspection
  4. A BC-Assigned VIN is affixed by the shop that passes the vehicle
  5. Get a weigh scale certificate

BC Motor Vehicle Act

BC Motor Vehicle Act Regulations

Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations

Expect to be somewhat at the mercy of the inspector. Some require full regalia (heater, defroster, roof), whilst others will allow you to replicate the original vehicle. Finding a shop with at least some compassion for hot rods and homebuilts is probably the single most important thing you can do in this project.

Reality

What actually happened:

  1. The frame underwent and passed a Structural Integrity inspection
  2. An application was submitted to the Province for a Ubilt VIN
  3. The completed car went in for a Private Vehicle Inspection
  4. The shop refused to inspect the vehicle on the grounds that:
    • I am not an engineer
    • I am not a ticketed welder
    • They wanted to see the entire car “engineered”
  5. I contacted the Ministry of Transportation Vehicle Inspection Department, who said:

    “Currently there is no requirement for vehicles which are not for hire to be certified by an engineer. However, the vehicle is required to meet the Motor Vehicle Act, Motor Vehicle Act Regulations including the Vehicle Inspection Manual.”

  6. I made a LOT of changes (entire front suspension and steering altered), as the shop was critical of my lengthened steering shaft, shortened struts and spherical rod ends
  7. I located a shop that was willing to inspect the car. They required a few alterations to the vehicle such as daytime running lights and a defroster.
  8. Weigh scale certificate at the local land fill (1275lbs)

Once the inspection was completed, I spent about an hour and a half at ICBC working through the registration. The document you need is 3.17 Altered Cars and Trucks.

The car is registered as a 2006 Ubilt Super 7, altered status, non-complying.