Manufacturer license

[Black2]

Hello all, looking for some info from anyone who has a manufacturer license. Im tired of jumping through the hoops to get "special construction" titles here in Illinois. I would like to be able to just issue MCO's for complete bikes.

Does anyone have any light they can shed on the process? Ive done a fair bit of reading and searching but its all a bit convoluted. I see some states have manufacturer licenses on just the state level, and also the NHSTA has one on a federal level which provides a WMI#

Also i read that you have to sell through dealers only? is this true, how do some of the smaller shops cope with all this?

Any info would be appreciated

[pushrod243]

Most that I have seen here in Florida did use a local dealer to do their sales....Every state has different regulations but one of the biggest costs will be insurance. First finding a company that will sell you product liability insurance and second finding it affordable.

[RedWings]

yes, product liability is expensive and VERY hard to get for a new company. If you find some, they'll want about 5 grand up front and at the end of the year they'll want about 10% of your gross sales. Its unlike other insurances where you pay a set amount, they want a %age of your blood each year They may also require you to put up a bond.

[Black2]

Yeah i have been fishing around for quotes, doesn't seem too bad. I was reading that in Florida they have some sort of assembly manufacturers license (state level) but its only meant for bikes in Florida. Vins are generated by the DMV and are not recognized by the NHTSA. Bikes also have to be inspected, much like a special construction.

Whereas a US DOT manufacturer license allows you to generate VIN's using your assigned WMI# Also grants you NHTSA certification, allowing you to insure it easier/cheaper. I see a lot of references to "state level" manufacturer licenses, but cannot find any info for the US DOT license.