Chapter 318 |
2023 -- S 0750 Enacted 06/22/2023 |
A N A C T |
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES |
Introduced By: Senators Lombardo, Gallo, Pearson, DiMario, Ciccone, and Tikoian |
Date Introduced: March 22, 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. |
======== |
LC002283 |
======== |