SEMA-model legislation to create a vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles was approved unanimously by the Washington State Senate. The bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 30 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. Among other things, the measure exempts street rods and customs from a range of standard-equipment requirements (only equipment required in the model year that the vehicle resembles) and emissions inspections; provides that vehicles titled and registered as street rods and custom vehicles may only be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, etc., and not for general daily transportation; and permits the use of blue dot taillights. The bill now moves to the House for consideration.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.