'Cash for Clunkers' details: Five ways to prove your trade-in vehicle is eligible

by Jonathan Oosting MLive.com
Friday July 24, 2009, 10:00 AM
AP PhotoA sign advertises the government's "Cash for Clunkers" incentive at Tropical Chrysler Jeep in Miami Shores, Fla. on Thursday.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration this morning released final details of the Car Allowance Rebate System, otherwise known as "Cash for Clunkers."
The program, designed to encourage consumers to trade-in older vehicles for more fuel-efficient models, officially begins Monday, according to the government's CARS Web site.
The document finalized qualifications of trade-in vehicles. Keep reading to learn the details and find out how to prove your vehicle is eligible.
1. MAKE SURE YOUR TRADE-IN VEHICLE HAS A FUEL ECONOMY VALUE OF 18 MILES PERS GALLON OR LESS
Don't try to argue this one. The only way your vehicle qualifies is if the fueleconomy.gov Web site says your vehicle gets 18 mpg or less.
The only exception is Category 3 vehicles, which include work trucks rated between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.
2. PROVE YOUR VEHICLE IS DRIVABLE
You've got to do two things to prove the vehicle is drivable:
• Show the dealer on the day you trade it in that the vehicle can run on its own power on a public road.
• You also must certify it is in drivable condition
3. PROVE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN "CONTINUOUSLY INSURED" FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR
You can prove your car was insured three ways:
• Show one or more insurance cards containing the make, model, model year, and vehicle identification number (VIN) of the insured vehicle, but only if, taken together, the cards display on their face a continuous one-year period of insurance coverage.
• Insurance policy documents (e.g., declarations pages) showing the same information as above.
• A signed letter, on insurance company letterhead, identifying the same vehicle identification information (i.e., make, model, model year, and VIN) of the insured vehicle and the period of continuous coverage.
There are no exceptions for state's that don't require insurance.
4. PROVE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGISTERED FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR
You can prove this in any of the following ways:
• Show a current State registration document or series of registration documents in the name of the purchaser evidencing registration for a period of not less than one year immediately prior to the trade-in.
• Produce a current State registration document showing registration in the name of the purchaser and a document of title that confers title on the purchaser not less than one year immediately prior to the trade-in.
• Show a current State registration document showing registration in the name of thepurchaser and a document from a commercially available vehicle history providerevidencing registration.
5. PROVE YOUR VEHICLE IS 25-YEARS-OLD OR LESS
You can do this two ways:
• Bring the title
• Show the safety standard certification label that appears on the frame or edge ofthe driver's door in most vehicles
There's one caveat to this rule: Category 3 vehicles, described above, can't be newer than 2001.