Chapter 280
2023 -- H 5607
Enacted 06/22/2023

A N   A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES - REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Shanley, Kennedy, Bennett, Casimiro, Casey, and Potter

Date Introduced: February 15, 2023

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Sections 31-3-31.1 and 31-3-31.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3
entitled "Registration of Vehicles" are hereby amended to read as follows:
     31-3-31.1. Registration of street rods and custom vehicles.
     (a) Definition of terms:
     (1) A “street rod” means a motor vehicle that:
     (i) Is a 1948 or older vehicle; or the vehicle was manufactured after 1948 to resemble a
vehicle manufactured before 1949; and
     (ii) Has been altered from the manufacturer’s original design; or has a body constructed
from nonoriginal materials.
     (2) The model year and the year of manufacture that are listed on the registration certificate
of title of a street rod vehicle shall be the model year and year of manufacture that the body of such
vehicle resembles.
     (b) Registration fee and application for street rods shall be as follows:
     (1) For each such street rod, there shall be a one-time pre-registration surcharge of fifty
dollars ($50.00) which said sum(s) shall be accumulated by the division of motor vehicles until
such time as said sum reaches an aggregate of twenty-three thousand dollars ($23,000) whereupon
said division is authorized to proceed with the ordering/manufacturing of plates as required by
subsection (b)(3) of this section herein. In addition thereto, and from hence forth, there shall be
paid regular registration fees required for standard passenger vehicles as determined by the division
of motor vehicles.
     (2)(i) In applying for registration of a street rod under this section, the owner of the street
rod shall submit with the application a certification that the vehicle for which the application is
made:
     (A) Will be maintained for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades,
tours, and similar uses; and
     (B) Will not be used for general daily transportation.
     (ii) In addition to the certification required under paragraph (i) of this subsection (b)(2)(i)
of this section, when applying for registration of a street rod, the new owner of the street rod shall
provide proof acceptable to the administration that the street rod passed a safety inspection that has
been approved by the administration in consultation with the street rod community in this state.
     (3) On registration of a vehicle under this section, the administration shall issue a special
street rod vehicle registration plate of the size and design that the administration determines in
consultation with the street rod community in this state.
     (4) Unless the presence of the equipment was specifically required by a statute of this state
as a condition of sale in the year listed as the year of manufacture on the certificate of title, the
presence of any specific equipment is not required for the operation of a vehicle registered under
this section.
     (5) A vehicle registered under this section is exempt from any statute that requires periodic
vehicle inspections and from any statute that requires the use and inspection of emission controls.
     31-3-31.2. Custom vehicles — Definition — Registration and fees.
     (a) A custom vehicle means any motor vehicle that:
     (1) Is at least twenty-five (25) or more years old and of a model year after 1948; or was
manufactured to resemble a vehicle twenty-five (25) years old and of a model year after 1948; and
     (2) Has been altered from the manufacturer’s original design; or has a body constructed
from nonoriginal materials.
     (3) The model year and the year of manufacture that are listed on the certificate of title or
registration certificate of a custom vehicle shall be the model year and year of manufacture that the
body of such vehicle resembles.
     (b) For each such custom vehicle, there shall be a one-time pre-registration surcharge of
fifty dollars ($50.00) which said sum(s) shall be accumulated by the division of motor vehicles
until such time as said sum reaches an aggregate of twenty-three thousand dollars ($23,000)
whereupon said division is authorized to proceed with the ordering/manufacturing of plates as
required by subsection (d) herein. In addition thereto, and from hence forth, there shall be paid
regular registration fees required for standard passenger vehicles as determined by the division of
motor vehicles.
     (c)(1) In applying for registration of a custom vehicle under this section, the owner of the
custom vehicle shall submit with the application a certification that the vehicle for which the
application is made:
     (i) Will be maintained for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades,
tours, and similar uses; and
     (ii) Will not be used for general daily transportation.
     (2) In addition to the certification required under paragraph (1) of this subsection
subsection (c)(1) of this section, when applying for registration of a custom vehicle, the new owner
of the custom vehicle shall provide proof acceptable to the administration that the custom vehicle
passed a safety inspection that has been approved by the administration in consultation with the
custom vehicle community in this state.
     (d) On registration of a vehicle under this section, the administration shall issue a special
custom vehicle registration plate of the size and design that the administration determines in
consultation with the custom vehicle community of this state.
     (e) Unless the presence of the equipment was specifically required by a statute of this state
as a condition of sale in the year listed as the year of manufacture on the certificate of title, the
presence of any specific equipment is not required for the operation of a vehicle registered under
this section.
     (f) A vehicle registered under this section is exempt from any statute that requires periodic
vehicle inspections and from any statute that requires the use and inspections of emission controls.
     (g) Signal lamps and devices — Street rod vehicles and custom vehicles:
     (1) “Blue dot tail light” means a red lamp installed in the rear of a motor vehicle containing
a blue or purple insert that is not more than one inch in diameter.
     (2) A street rod or custom vehicle may use blue dot tail lights for stop lamps, rear turning
indicator lamps, rear hazard lamps, and rear reflectors.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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LC000389
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