On behalf of hobbyists nationwide, the SEMA Action Network (SAN) has released a compilation of state laws and regulations governing specialty motor vehicles. The compilation is a one-stop shop for state resources listing each state¹s specialty vehicle definitions, registration and titling provisions, inspection criteria and other requirements and exemptions. Known as the Tag & Title Toolbox, the new compilation also includes key administrative forms that can be printed for titling and registering specialty vehicles at DMVs nationwide. Information on state emissions inspection programs has also been added. The Tag & Title Toolbox can be found online at www.semasan.com.
The term “specialty vehicle” includes the following vehicle classes: ancient, antique, assembled, classic, collectible, collector, custom, exhibition, historic, homemade, horseless carriage, kit, modified, parade, parts, rebuilt, reconstructed, replica, show, special interest, specially constructed, street cruiser, street rod and vintage. Given that a uniform system for defining such specialty vehicles does not exist among the states, applicable definitions for each state are listed separately at the beginning of each state¹s document to clarify the language in the statutes and regulations.
“For years, the SAN has researched individual state laws in order to identify states that would benefit from our model titling and registration legislation,” said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. “Using these statutes as an informational resource and reference tool, we drafted legislation to create new titling and registration classes for street rods and custom vehicles, including kit cars and replicas. Versions of this model legislation have since been enacted in 21 states across the country.”
The information is current for 2011 but subject to change in the future. SAN advises hobbyists to also directly consult the statutes and regulations for states of interest to ensure the accuracy of the information. “SAN members can use this resource to determine their state’s specific specialty car requirements and relay this information to their hobbyist network,” McDonald added.
LEGISLATIVE QUICK HITS
Arizona Emissions Test Exemption: This SAN-supported bill would exempt all vehicles more than 25 years old from the state’s mandatory emissions inspection and maintenance program. Existing law only exempts pre-‘67 model-year vehicles and those vehicles designated as “collectible,” which are used primarily for hobby activities, insured under a collector car insurance policy and whose owners have registered an additional vehicle for general transportation.
Arkansas Inoperable Vehicles: SAN is opposing legislation that would allow cities to remove inoperable vehicles from private property if the vehicle is deemed a “nuisance” under a local ordinance. The bill provides no reasonable safeguards for legitimate automotive hobbyists to work on inoperable collector vehicles on private property and establishes no provisions that would enable vehicles located out of public view to avoid being classified as abandoned.
Connecticut Emissions Inspections: SAN is supporting legislation to extend the emissions-inspection exemption to vehicles five model years old or newer. Current law exempts vehicles that are four model years old or newer. The measure acknowledges that it is senseless to test newer vehicles; the results of which demonstrate no significant air-quality benefits.
Indiana Antiques: SAN-supported legislation to provide additional accommodations for antique vehicle owners has been introduced. Among other things, the bill authorizes the use of blue dot taillights and provides emissions exemptions for antique vehicles if they are 25 years old or older. The measure also incorporates SEMA-model legislation to prohibit local governments from adopting zoning ordinances that restrict the hobby of automobile restoration and collection. Under the bill, inoperable vehicles, including parts cars, stored on private property would only require screening from ordinary public view.
Iowa Antique Motor Vehicles: A SAN-supported bill has been reintroduced to allow ‘64 or older motor vehicles to be registered as “limited-mileage” antique vehicles for an annual fee of $10. Vehicle owners taking advantage of this registration class are permitted to drive these vehicles up to 2,500 miles annually. Currently, antique vehicles undergoing the registration process in Iowa for the first time are required to pay an annual $50 registration fee.
Maryland Specially Constructed Vehicles: A version of SAN-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for specially constructed vehicles, including kits and replicas, has been introduced. The bill defines a specially constructed vehicle as a vehicle that was constructed from any combination of new or used parts; was not originally constructed by a generally recognized vehicle manufacturer and has not been materially altered. The measure allows for the use of non-original materials, exempts specially constructed vehicles from standard equipment requirements and emissions inspections and provides for special license plates.
New York/Texas/Washington/New Mexico Street Rods and Customs: SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles has been introduced in New York, Texas, Washington state and New Mexico. The bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Under the bill, kit cars and replica vehicles will be assigned a certificate of title bearing the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble.
New York “Gas Guzzlers”: Legislation has been reintroduced to establish a progressive purchase surcharge for some new motor vehicles based on state calculations of carbon emissions. Depending on the vehicle purchased, this surcharge could require owners to pay up to $2,500 more for the vehicle. Funds collected under the program would be used in part to fund discounts for hybrids and electric cars.
New York Historic Vehicles: SAN-supported legislation has been reintroduced to provide that historical vehicle owners only pay a one-time registration fee of $100 upon initial registration. The reduced registration fee would be available to owners of historical vehicles owned and operated as an exhibition piece or collector’s item and used for club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses. Under current New York law, a historical motor vehicle is either a vehicle manufactured more than 25 years ago or one which has unique characteristics and which is determined to be of historical, classic or exhibition value. The $100 one-time fee would replace the current annual fee of $28.75.
North Dakota Vehicle Modifications: A bill has been introduced to prohibit the modification of any motor vehicle that alters the manufacturer¹s original suspension, steering or brake system unless the state highway patrol issues an inspection certificate. Current law permits modification if the equipment meets “SEMA standards.” The bill adds that modifying equipment may also meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Among other things, the bill also would require fenders on all motor vehicles. The SAN informed legislators that there are no specific SEMA standards applicable to equipment used to modify suspension, steering or brake systems. Further, the federal government only issues FMVSS to regulate equipment that is required on all new motor vehicles. An aftermarket part may only be regulated if it takes a vehicle out-of-compliance with a required piece of safety equipment when installed.
Washington State Registration Fees: SAN-opposed legislation to require annual renewal fees for collector vehicle and horseless carriage license plates will not receive committee consideration this year. Under the bill, the initial $35 license plate fee for these vehicles would have remained and a new annual $30 renewal fee would have been added. Under Washington law, a collector vehicle is any motor vehicle that is more than 30 years old, while a horseless carriage is defined as a vehicle that is more than 40 years old.
Washington Inoperable Vehicles: SAN-model legislation has been reintroduced to prohibit cities or towns from enforcing an ordinance, development regulation, zoning regulation or administrative practice that prevents automobile collectors from pursuing their hobby. Junked, wrecked or inoperable vehicles, including parts cars stored on private property, would only require screening from public view if required by local law.
West Virginia Exhaust Systems: SAN-model legislation that would allow vehicle hobbyists to install and use aftermarket modified exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit under a fair and predictable test was introduced. Current state law only allows a muffler originally installed by the manufacturer or an equivalent. Meanwhile, a bill to provide that the noise from a motor-vehicle exhaust system that has been deemed “disturbing or unreasonably loud” constitutes the crime of disturbing the peace has been reintroduced. Under the bill, violators could be fined up to $1,000 per occurrence, jailed for six months or both.
West Virginia Antique Motor Vehicles: Identical bills to provide owners of antique motor vehicles with a fair and equitable personal property tax assessment have been introduced. The bills seek to address recent unfair valuation practices which have negatively impacted many state hobbyists. Current law defines an “antique motor vehicle” to mean any motor vehicle which is more than 25 years old and is owned solely as a collector¹s item. Both measures provide that for the purposes of the property tax, the assessed value of an antique vehicle cannot exceed $200.
Wisconsin Imported Collector Cars: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has officially withdrawn its proposal to prohibit the registration of imported vehicles manufactured after 1967 that do not meet FMVSS. U.S. law specifically exempts imported vehicles that are 25 years old and older from these safety standards. The Wisconsin proposal offered no such reasonable exemption. The regulation would only have permitted the continued registration of subject vehicles that are already legally registered but only until they are transferred to a new owner.
- Tint, Modified Exhaust, Lowered Car, Etc.