State Laws and Regulations Impacting Specialty Vehicles

[BonzoHansen]

SAN Compiles State Laws and Regulations Impacting Specialty Vehicles

On behalf of hobbyists nationwide, the SEMA Action Network 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 state’s 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 emission inspection programs has also been added. “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 state’s 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 2010, 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.

Please forward this Alert to your fellow car enthusiasts. Urge them to join the SAN and help defend the hobby!