HOUSE BILL NO. 526 Offered January 11, 2006 Prefiled January 9, 2006 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 46.2-602.1, relating to titling and registration of street rods and custom vehicles. ---------- Patrons-- Rust and Albo ---------- Referred to Committee on Transportation ----------

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 46.2-602.1 as follows:

§ 46.2-602.1. Titling and registration of street rods and custom vehicles.

A. In addition to any other provisions of this chapter, the year that is listed on the certificate of title of a street rod or custom vehicle shall be the model year that the body of such vehicle resembles. For such vehicles designated as replicas or kit cars, the current and subsequent certificates of ownership shall be designated with the work "REPLICA."

B. In applying for registration of a street rod or custom vehicle under this section, the applicant 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, testing its operation, repairs or maintenance and similar uses, and (ii) will not be used for general, daily transportation. The application shall also provide proof acceptable to the Commissioner that the street rod or custom vehicle has met the safety inspection requirements applicable to the model year shown on the manufacturer's certificate of origin, title, or registration certificate.

C. Upon registration of a vehicle under this section, the Commissioner shall issue a special street rod or custom vehicle registration plate of the size and design to be determined by the Commissioner. Street rods and custom vehicles shall be eligible to receive antique motor vehicle license plates as provided for in § 46.2-730.

D. The presence of any specific equipment is not required for the operation of a vehicle registered under this section.

E. Any vehicle registered under this section shall be exempt from vehicle safety inspections as provided for in Article 21 (§ 46.2-1157 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of this title and emissions inspections as provided for in Article 22 (§ 46.2-1176 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of this title.

For the purposes of this section, "street rod" means any motor vehicle (i) that is model year 1948 or earlier or a vehicle that 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.

"Custom vehicle" means any motor vehicle (i) that is model year 1948 or later and at least 25 years old or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle 25 years old or more and of a model year after 1948 and (ii) has been altered from the manufacturer's original design or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.