Getting DIY Projects Government-Legal

Step 2 Make Something Worthwhile

So, if you're comfortable devoting significant time and energy to chasing this elusive seal of approval, make sure you've got a project that you care enough about to fail at.

If you can say something like any of the following, your inspectors are at a substantial disadvantage:
"I had such a great time building _____ that, even though I really want it to be street-legal, it was worth doing regardless of if I get that stamp"
"My open-source _____ has real potential to help the world by _____. If I can't get it approved, it'll still help make the world a better place."
"The idea of trying to get the Department of _____ to approve my _____ is so crazy that it just might work. And, if it doesn't, it sure will make for one hell of a story!"

For me, my pedicab met this test. No, it won't cure all the world's energy woes tomorrow. But, it did provide me with a challenging project that expanded my understanding of bicycles. I wouldn't have been happy if it never passed inspection, but it would still have been worth the time, energy, and money I invested.