Whether you’re buying a parts car to make a Lemons racer, taking a drag car to the strip, or trying to drive an SCCA-prepped racer on city streets to get lunch, you might be wondering how to title a race car so you can drive it on the street legally. We’ve got the tips you need if you are ready to feel the power, aerodynamics and grip of your race car on the highway or rip through downtown with your race numbers on.

Getting things street legal is what we do here at Dirt Legal. From ROXOR side-by-sides to two-stroke dirt bikes, we can get a street legal title and registration for just about anything with wheels. Put a plate on your ride fast with the help of Dirt Legal.

Making Your Race Car Street Legal: The Basics

Regular vehicles were built to safely take people from one place to another. The manufacturers throw in some power and performance qualities to make you feel like you might be in a race car. Real race cars, on the other hand, were designed for sheer competition. Safety isn’t thought of the same way in racing which causes some trouble when you want to title a race car for road use.

While each state will require different things in order to title and register a race car, there are a few things every legal car must have. That includes:

• DOT tires

• Seat belts

• Muffler

• Round, regular-shaped steering wheel

• Horn that works

• Functioning brakes

• Working lights and visible reflectors

• A certain amount of ground clearance

Do Race Cars Have VIN Numbers? Do I Need One?

Some race cars feature chassis numbers which help track the history. With that said, it isn’t unusual for a race car to have a VIN as well. In cases where there isn’t a VIN, possession of the bill of sale is considered the legal transfer of ownership of a racecar – but you will need a VIN to get a street legal title.

If the race car ever had or currently has a title, you want to get this from the seller. Otherwise, somebody out there could produce better proof of ownership than you and cause a lot of trouble down the road.

Now seems like a good time to mention that there are illegal ways to get a title and VIN for your race car. We aren’t condoning the use of unlawful methods and would encourage you to stay clear of anyone suggesting you go this route. You’ll find plenty of people selling titles and VINs to similar cars at swap meets, but participating in this is downright illegal.

Was Your Race Car Street Legal Before?

There are several types of race cars that you can make street legal. These are ideal options if you want to avoid the hassle of buying a bona fide race car and modifying it. We’re talking about finding a local SCCA club or hobbyist track-day group and modifying your car to fit their safety requirements.

You can have a lot of fun at a BMW CCA track day, for example, without doing much if anything to prepare your car – and undoing those mods to make the car fully street legal might be as simple as swapping for a different set of tires.

Classic muscle cars

Not only do they look bad-ass, but they have superior track performance as well. Fast classic cars make ideal racers but remain street legal. Try to find yourself a Camaro, Chevelle, or Corvette and start by firming up the suspension and improving the brakes.

Beater cars

Starting out in amateur racing, there’s really no need to spend more than is required. To begin, just invest in a beater car like an Acura Integra or Mazda Miata. These are easily converted for racing but come with a title for easy registration.

If your standard of “beater car” is a little higher, Carfax recently did an article listing ten vehicles that are inexpensive and easily modified. Personally, we love what was done with the Ford Focus.

Exotic sports cars

If you have a lot of money to spend, you could invest in a fast exotic sports car. Street legal cars such as Ferraris and Lamborghinis make ideal race cars since they can reach high speeds with incredible handling. Of course, you might be scared to crash it.

High-performance road cars

When it comes to street legal racing cars, you probably think of BMW right away. The E36 3-Series is a favorite among racers, but don’t discount a quality Audi, Porsche or Mercedes-Benz either.

Kit cars and custom constructions

Not all kit cars can be made street legal, but there are some you can order to make it easier. For example, Factory Five offers some pretty amazing kit cars that you can easily build to be street legal. Or you could go rogue and build your own custom creation. Just make sure you keep a record of everything you do to the car as well as receipts and invoices for the parts and labor along the way.

Getting Insurance on a Race Car

In many states, you must also have insurance on your vehicle to register it. Finding the right car insurance for your vehicle might be tricky. For starters, the value might be higher than what is expected because of the modifications you made to it. Of course, there’s an additional risk as well. That’s why only specialty insurance companies will get involved in anything that was built for racing.

How to Register a Race Car for Road Use

The process to title a race car will vary based on your state requirement. We always recommend talking with a representative who can give you a list of everything you need upfront, but many states have a lot of similarities in their process.

If you don’t have a title but one existed at one time, you will need a strong bill of sale proving ownership of the vehicle. Keep in mind; this isn’t going to be enough for some states. Instead, they will often force you to get a bonded title or have you apply for a Specially Constructed Vehicle title instead.

If the car doesn’t have a VIN, you will need to first apply for one through the DMV. Then, you will need to provide proof of address. Generally, this requires two documents such as your driver’s license and a utility bill in your name.

Then, you’ll need to gather all your ownership documents. The DMV loves to see receipts, so make sure you have information regarding the frame, body, engine and other components that you built or installed. If the race car was created from a salvaged vehicle, you would need the salvage title. You will also need plenty of pictures of the vehicle as it currently sits. Some states require that all of the information must also be notarized before you turn it in.

You’ll be required to have an inspection of the vehicle by a state-approved facility. Unlike a typical vehicle inspection, a race car will typically need to be inspected by appointment through the state police or another governing body. Finally, you’ll want to be prepared to pay all the appropriate fees and/or sales tax required by your state.

If you would prefer to skip the hassle and save time, let us do the work for you. We can obtain a new title and registration for cars, motorcycles, and almost anything with wheels. We also offer VIN Checks to help get your race car street legal. Click the links to learn more about our services.

After all the hard work pays off, you can enjoy your time on the track or on the highway. Just imagine the looks you’ll get cruising through town in your high-performance, souped-up race car. Have fun building that beast and let us do the boring and tedious paperwork on your behalf. Get your race vehicle street legal quickly with the help of Dirt Legal.

We are not attorneys. This article is not legal advice. Cover image source