Do you charge more for RV or motorhome VIN verifications?

No. We charge the standard $180 flat rate for mobile within our 45-minute Oakland radius regardless of vehicle type — Class A motorhomes, Class C, 5th wheels, toyhaulers, travel trailers, popups, all treated the same. Outside the standard radius (which is common for RV storage facilities in places like the Delta or Sonoma) we add a flat travel fee — typically $30-100 depending on distance.

Why is mobile VIN verification essential for RVs?

Two reasons. First, the practical one — driving a 30-foot Class A motorhome or a 40-foot 5th wheel through DMV parking is a non-starter. Most DMV offices don't have parking that fits a Class A, let alone a Class A with a toad. Second, the time one — RV registration tasks usually involve out-of-state titles, smog (for the chassis), maybe a Weight-Master Certificate, plus the VIN verification. Coordinating all of that in a single DMV trip with a large RV is impractical. Doing the VIN verification at your storage facility ahead of time means you only need the DMV for the final registration step.

What's the difference between verifying a Class A, Class C, 5th wheel, or trailer?

For us, very little — they're all REG 31 inspections of the public VIN, secondary VIN, body type, fuel type, and configuration. Class A motorhomes (the bus-style) and Class C (the cab-over-engine style) are self-propelled, so they get the full chassis verification including engine and odometer. 5th wheels, travel trailers, toyhaulers, popups, and tear-drops are towed (no engine), so we verify the VIN, configuration, weight class, and axles. We can do all of these on-site at your storage facility — no need to move the rig.

I just bought an out-of-state RV. What do I need for California registration?

The out-of-state title (or MSO for new RVs), out-of-state registration, our completed REG 31, a completed REG 343 (California Application for Title), proof of California insurance, a smog certificate for the chassis (most gas RVs 1976+ and most diesel 1998+ — check your specific year), a Weight-Master Certificate (required for commercial pickup-truck-based motorhomes), and your photo ID. For pure trailers (no engine) the smog requirement doesn't apply.

Do you do long-distance RV trips outside the Bay Area?

Yes. We've driven as far as Nevada and Arizona to meet RV customers — typical for buyers picking up a rig at a dealership out of state, or out-of-state RV owners who can't reasonably trailer their unit to California. There's nothing in the VIN-verifier handbook that restricts how far we travel; you just pay a higher fee for the long drive. Email or call with the pickup location and we'll quote a flat all-in price.

Can you meet me at my storage facility?

Yes — that's where most of our RV jobs happen. Tell us the facility name + access details when you book (some require gate codes or a manager escort). We coordinate the appointment around the facility's hours. RV storage lots across the East Bay, North Bay, Delta, and Sacramento Valley all serve as common meeting spots for us.

What if my RV is in a campground or RV park temporarily?

That works too — we come to wherever the rig is. Lots of RV verifications happen at full-timer RV parks where the owner can't easily move the rig for the day. Just confirm with the park management that we'll be visiting; some have visitor policies that need a quick check-in.

My RV has been off the DMV system for years — can you still verify it?

Yes. Old RVs that fall off the DMV system (often because annual registration lapsed for many years, or the rig was previously registered in another state) need a VIN verification to be re-introduced. We can verify any non-salvage RV regardless of how long it's been off the system. We'll also point out at the appointment whether the DMV will need any additional documentation (statement of facts, bond title, etc.).

What about salvage or revived-junk RVs?

We can't inspect those — California restricts salvage / revived-junk VIN inspections to CHP only. If you bought a salvage RV intending to rebuild and register it, you'll need to go through CHP's Specialized VIN Inspection Program after the rebuild is complete. See our salvage page for the process. Once the salvage clears and you have a California revived-salvage title, future VIN work (title corrections, etc.) is something we can handle.

Class A · Class C · 5th wheel · Toyhauler · Travel trailer

RV & Motorhome VIN Verification in California

Mobile to your storage facility, campground, or driveway. $180 flat within 45 min of Oakland. Same week.

Book Now Call 628-212-2001

Why mobile VIN verification matters more for RVs

We get asked weekly: “Can I just bring my Class A to the DMV?” The answer is technically yes, practically no. Three reasons mobile is the right call for almost every RV verification:

1. DMV parking doesn’t fit a Class A

Most DMV office parking lots are sized for sedans and small SUVs. A 30-foot motorhome won’t fit a standard space and street parking near busy DMV offices (especially Oakland, SF, Walnut Creek, and the Peninsula offices) is impossible at any time of day.

2. You’re probably storing the rig, not driving it daily

Most RV owners store their unit at a dedicated facility (East Bay storage lots, Delta marinas, Sacramento Valley yards) rather than in a driveway. Moving the rig for a DMV trip means picking it up, driving it through traffic, finding non-existent parking, and putting it back — a half-day event minimum. We come to the storage lot instead.

3. RV registration has more moving parts

Out-of-state RV registration usually involves: title, out-of-state plates, smog certificate (chassis only), Weight-Master Certificate (some), insurance, REG 31, REG 343, and possibly a statement of facts. Coordinating all of that at the DMV while parking a Class A outside is a recipe for needing a second trip. Doing the VIN verification at your storage facility first means you only need the DMV for the final paperwork submission.

All RV types — same flat rate

One $180 mobile rate covers any RV type within our standard radius. No surcharge for size.

RV type	What we verify	Smog needed?	Weight-Master needed?
Class A motorhome	VIN, secondary VIN, body type, fuel, odometer, engine	Gas 1976+, diesel 1998+	Usually no
Class B (van conversion)	VIN, secondary VIN, body type, fuel, odometer	Same as base van year	No
Class C (cab-over)	VIN, secondary VIN, body type, fuel, odometer, engine	Gas 1976+, diesel 1998+	Usually no
5th wheel / travel trailer	VIN, body type, axles, weight class, configuration	No (no engine)	Sometimes (commercial use)
Toyhauler	VIN, body type, axles, weight class, configuration	No (no engine)	Sometimes (heavier units)
Popup / teardrop / smaller trailer	VIN, body type, axles, configuration	No	No

Long-distance trips + storage scenarios we handle

RV verification jobs rarely happen in someone’s driveway. Common situations we handle:

•Storage facility — your rig has been stored at an East Bay, Delta, or Central Valley lot for months and just needs the REG 31 to clear an out-of-state registration.
•Dealer pickup outside California — you bought the RV at a Nevada or Arizona dealership and need a California REG 31 before driving it home. We’ve done verifications as far as Reno, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. Long-distance trips carry a flat travel fee; we quote up front.
•Campground or RV park — full-time RVers staying at a Bay Area park can’t easily move the rig; we come to the site after coordinating with park management.
•Title-correction work — VIN mismatch on the title, BTM change (converting a coach trailer to flatbed, e.g.), year correction. Same REG 31 inspection.
•Old RV re-introduction — units that fell off the DMV system years ago and need verification to come back on.
•Fleet RV / rental company — small RV rental fleets (5-30 units) at one location qualify for our fleet volume discount.

What we can’t do: salvage or revived-junk RVs (CHP-only via the Specialized VIN Inspection Program). See our salvage page for the CHP path; once the salvage clears and you have a clean California title, future RV verification work is back in our scope.

Recent trailer and RV verifications

Class A motorhomes get the full chassis verification; towed units get VIN, compliance label, axles and weight rating with no smog step. License plates are blurred.

Fleetwood Bounder Class A
A gas Class A on out-of-state plates. Self-propelled, so it gets the full chassis verification: engine, odometer and fuel type, plus a smog certificate for the DMV.
Bounder, front
On a Class A the public VIN is on the chassis plate inside the door or under the hood cover, not on the dash. We know where to look.
Grand Design Solitude 5th wheel
A full-size 5th wheel verified at its site, slides out and awning up. Towed unit, so the REG 31 covers the VIN, axles and weight rating; no engine, no smog.
Lightship L1 electric trailer
A new all-electric travel trailer, verified on a ranch in the hills. New-manufacturer units still need the REG 31 when the paperwork is an MSO rather than a title.
Lightship, front
Battery trailers have a charge port and a drive-assist axle but no engine. Fuel type on the REG 31 is still Electric; the smog step does not apply.
Lightship, side
We drive to where the unit sits. Rural Sonoma and Marin sites are outside the 45-minute radius, so a flat travel fee is quoted up front.
Vintage Airstream International
A 1970s Airstream in a storage yard. Airstreams of this era carry a 13-digit serial rather than a 17-character VIN; the REG 31 records it exactly as stamped.
Airstream, front
Storage-yard jobs are common for RVs: the owner meets us at the unit and nobody has to tow it anywhere.
Open Range Colt travel trailer
A new travel trailer verified at the shop door in Oakland. The compliance label on the front-left corner and the tongue VIN both go on the form.
Open Range, curb side
Towed units that fit in our lot can be done in-shop at the lower rate. Bring it by; it takes about 30 minutes.
Open Range, door side
The DMV wants body type, length and axle count on a travel trailer. We measure and record them so the registration matches the unit.
1970s Boler fiberglass trailer
A vintage Boler travel trailer arriving on out-of-state plates. California wants the REG 31 before it will issue a title on an incoming trailer.
Boler, side
Vintage trailers sometimes carry a VIN that is shorter than 17 characters. That is normal for the era; the REG 31 records it as stamped.
Boler, rear
Out-of-state trailer, so the sequence is REG 31, then REG 343, then the DMV counter. We hand you the first one on the spot.
Logan Coach horse trailer
Two-horse trailer at the owner’s property. Stock and horse trailers carry the VIN on the tongue or a frame rail; we find it, record it and hand over the REG 31 on the spot.
Horse trailer, side
Older trailers often show ghosts of old decals and a worn compliance label. If the label is unreadable we work from the stamped VIN, and note it on the form.
Enclosed car-hauler trailer
On a trailer we verify the VIN on the tongue or frame rail, the compliance label, axle count and weight rating. No smog step for a towed unit.