Question

Consider the following narrative describing the process of registering a car with the DMV: Heide lives in California and it is time to renew her automobile registration. The California DMV sends her a renewal form and indicates that she needs a smog check for her automobile. She takes her car to the smog check station. She completes the smog check. If the smog check is successful, she can then go to the DMV website and renew her registration, paying with a credit card. Two weeks later she receives a new registration form and tags for her license plates. She puts the registration in the glove box of her car and places the tags on her license plates. Use BPMN to model this process using the following independent assumptions: a. No additional assumptions. Use a messaging start event to begin the process. b. If the car fails the smog check, Heide must schedule maintenance service with her dealer. She completes the service and returns for a new smog check. If the car passes, she can complete the renewal process. c. Heide uses the renewal form information at the smog check station. The smog check station provides a smog check certificate that Heide submits along with the renewal form to update her registration on the DMV website. She places the new registration document in her car. Use data objects to represent these documents.

Answer 1

In the United States, vehicle registration plates, known as license plates, are issued by a department of motor vehicles, an agency of the state or territorial government, or in the case of the District of Columbia, the district government. Some Native American tribes also issue plates. The U.S. federal government issues plates only for its own vehicle fleet and for vehicles owned by foreign diplomats. Until the 1980s, diplomatic plates were issued by the state in which the consulate or embassy was located.

Getting the car inspected

Before bringing your car to get its vehicle registration, you have to bring it to an approved technical inspection authority (e.g. TÜV or DEKRA). There it will be inspected for any discrepancies in conformance against the local requirements. At the very least, minor changes are likely to be required for every U.S. vehicle. It's therefor recommendable to arrange an appointment for an inspection and find out exactly which paperwork you should bring with.

It is often not a problem to drive on your American license plates, temporarily, so long as you have the proper insurance. Otherwise, you will have to get a temporary license plate from your registration office for the trip to the inspection center.

Check the data sheet

Checking the data sheet (or spec sheet) is one way to get an idea, in advance, how much modification will be necessary before receiving your vehicle registration. If the exact model of your vehicle was ever approved for import into your country, there should be a data sheet available. In the case of all major European-brand vehicles, finding one should not be difficult. Most manufacturers will send you the data sheet upon request, either free of charge or for a fee. Be sure to enclose all available technical data you have on your vehicle, including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), with your enquiry. One thing to note: Japanese manufacturers, however, are notorious for either being extremely slow to respond or not responding at all.

While obtaining a data sheet for your American import is not mandatory for the vehicle registration process, experience has shown it to be a useful and cost-saving resource.

Lights out for American headlights

U.S. lighting systems will need to be modified according to European regulations. Headlamps have to be replaced with conforming EU-approved headlamps. The front amber sidelights, functioning as blinkers, have to be replaced with white lights. You are allowed to integrate these into the new headlamps as well. The use of red rear blinkers is prohibited. When possible, you can simply replace the lights with yellow bulbs. If this isn't possible, you will have to completely replace the rear lighting components. Finally, an approved rear fog lamp needs to be retrofitted.

Exhaust emission test: The decisive element

In some cases, the European emission regulations can end up being a major stopping point for U.S. models, especially if your vehicle is the first of its kind to be registered. The reason for this is that since 1993, the measurement procedures in European countries are completely different from those in the USA. This means that results from U.S. emissions tests are not comparable, even if your car is registered as a "low-emissions" vehicle in America.

If your car is in fact the first of its kind to be tested in Europe, the costs can be anywhere between €750 to €2,500, depending on the complexity of the test. Although, keep in mind that many exhaust emissions tests have already been made on American vehicles. Therefore, the technical inspection authorities will often be able to check your vehicle's certification status using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in order to see whether or not this expensive process is necessary. This information should also be available to you on the data sheet.

Once you receive the official, written "Green light" from an inspection expert, you can begin the process of vehicle registration.

Vehicle registration and license plates

Normally, regardless of where you have your vehicle shipped, you will need to have the vehicle registration in the country with your main residence. Although there is no European Union wide regulation on vehicle registration, the following information reflects the practices in many of the member countries.

The following documents are required in order to complete your vehicle registration:

• Customs clearance certificate
• Certificate of Title (used vehicles) or Certificate of Origin (new vehicles)
• American license plates
• Original purchase invoice
• Report of the technical inspection
• Proof of insurance
• Passport or identity card

In addition to these documents, before you can complete your vehicle registration and get your license plates, you may also have to provide proof of roadworthiness.