Fellow Florida HotRod 'rs, I thought I would share this with you......... Walkin on Sunshine Florida Governor Signs SEMA Street-Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill Into Law Florida joined the growing list of states to enact SEMA-model legislation to amend the vehicle titling and registration classification for street rods and create a classification for custom vehicles. The bill was approved by the Florida State Legislature and signed into law by Governor Charlie Crist. Under the new law, a street rod is defined as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. Importantly, 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. Florida joins Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington as states that have enacted similar bills into law. The new law is the product of months of consultation with state legislators, regulators and the local hobbyist and business community. Florida State Senator Bill Posey, the Senate bills sponsor, remarked, It was a pleasure to work with Steve McDonald and his staff at SEMA, and I am delighted to know that motorsports enthusiasts have people like them on their side. Weve managed to craft and pass a piece of legislation that inserts common sense into titling and registration for customs and street rods to the benefit of the hobbyist community statewide. House sponsor State Representative Pat Patterson commented, From day one I have been amazed at the number of people participating in this hobby. Nearly every day Ive had someone stop me and thank me because they found out I was sponsoring this legislation. Its been a great pleasure to support an industry that I know plays such an important role in Floridas economy. The new law allows for the use of non-original materials, provides for special license plates and permits the use of blue-dot taillights. In addition, the measure exempts street rods and customs from a range of standard equipment requirements and emissions controls (only that equipment required in the model year that the vehicle resembles). 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. The new law recognizes the unique nature of these vehicles as hobbyist cars, said SEMA Vice President of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. For many vehicle enthusiasts in Florida and throughout America, building, maintaining and enjoying their vehicles is a favorite pastime. This law represents an opportunity to acknowledge their commitment to the hobby and to protect it for future generations. Backed by the hard work and perseverance of Senator Posey and Representative Patterson, we are extremely gratified that Florida has joined the list of states that recognize street rods and customs as distinct classes of vehicles, McDonald added. The new law offers the benefit of also including qualifying replicas and kit cars in these specialty-vehicle titling and registration classifications. Summary of SEMA-Model Street-Rod/Custom Vehicle Bill Defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom vehicle as an altered vehicle manufactured after 1948. Provides specific registration classes and license plates for street rods and custom vehicles. Provides that replica vehicles and kit cars will be assigned the same model-year designations as the production vehicles they most closely resemble and allows the use of non-original materials. Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from periodic vehicle inspections 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. Exempts street rods and custom vehicles from a range of standard equipment requirements. Allows the use of blue-dot taillights on street rods and custom vehicles.
And the whole congregation said...................................Amen! And in Arkansas if you title it as an antique (25 yrs or older) once you pay the registration fee there is no renewal ever!
I absolutely hate this part of the model legislation. SEMA, while trying very hard to help, is making this major concession to the states. I drive my cars daily.
There is no mention of a mileage limit, AND the vehicle only has to have to the equipment required during the state year of manufacture... so no shoulder belts, 3rd brake lights in traditional style cars!
This part is somewhat vague and likely will be first part to be challenged since it is so difficult to enforce.
I am still not sure if I have to have seat belts at all or even a right hand tail light since my truck came with neither. I assume I am okay with no turn signals as long as I use hand signals... The above makes me think its alright, but the local police may not see things my way.
I agree. When we discussed this topic previously a guy from Alabama spoke up and said that since they have limited use laws in effect there, the cops will pull you over and hassle you if you're not driving it on the weekend, or if there isn't a big car show going on or something. That sucks. I don't like any law that says I can only use a vehicle for certain things and on certain occasions just to title & tag it as a "hot rod" or "custom". I may go to 2 or 3 car shows a year, and could care less about being in a parade, so how does this help me at all other than the fact that if I build a model A with a newer body & whatever I can title it as a 32 Ford? It seems like a huge concession for us to make, and I'm not sure exactly to whom we're making these concessions. Is it the state of Florida, or is this some bullshit that some lobbyist for the big 3 was able to get in there. I have pondered for quite some time the possibility that the big three would like to get the legislative ball rolling in order to force us to buy new cars every 5 to 10 years. Whether the reason is safety, emissions, or whatever, I'm afraid that "limited use" clauses like these are just the tip of the iceberg. As long as our hot rods or customs have brakes, lights, a horn, etc, why is the state telling us we can't drive our cars whenever we want to? I don't like the idea of Johnny Law pulling me over wanting me to prove to him that I am en route to a car show or parade, and worry about having my vehicle impounded or being assessed with a large fine if he doesn't buy my story.
"....may only be used for occasional transportation...." I could live with that. Let's convince Minnesota to get on board with something similar.
There's nothing to preclude you from titling and registering your car as usual. The restrictions only apply to those who take advantage of the street rod and custom taxing and licensing. This should make it a lot easier for someone building a car from the ground up, especially as opposed to the current title requirements for a car "ASPT- assembled from parts". You will still be able to get regular plates and drive as many miles as you want if you don't want the street rod plates or title. The full text is HERE.
The allowance for "club activities" leaves a pretty nice loophole. Just form a club called "The Daily Drivers" and have a club meeting scheduled for every day... I think it's cool that they went as far as they did. It seems like a pretty fair shake. JOE
Let's say you have an exhibition on Monday, a club activity on Tuesday, a parade on Wednesday, a tour on Thursday, an "other function of public interest" on Friday, a "similar" use on Saturday, & "occasionaly" a joy ride on Sunday.
I carry the flyers,YOU MUST HAVE PROOF. Concessions have to be made, If you want any state to change its standard title/lic fees,you have to find away around their rules or they will just flat out refuse to change anything.THEY have the juice. Most of it is already law in Mn., but we need a LOT of registration law help, It REEEEEEEEEEELY sucks to retitle here. Inconsistant as hell + literally changes w every registration office you go to. Some have no problem, while others have a nightmare of a time, Just depends on were you go. AVOID St Cloud, they hassle even a ligit title change on old cars.
AND you can always go back to regular registration AFTER you do it their way. That way you have title in hand w less main steam hassles.
I've got four older cars that would qualify - I guess if I get three more, I could drive each only once a week - is that "occasional" enough?
Yeah, getting something made from a pile of scrap (or new, shiny streetrod parts) TITLED is the big issue...I would assume if you can title it, you can register it with normal plates.
Originally Posted by Flat Ernie I absolutely hate this part of the model legislation. SEMA, while trying very hard to help, is making this major concession to the states. I drive my cars daily. As a Floridian, I have no problem with that concession. My isurance policy is enforced with a similar statement. I don't have to register it that way nor buy that insurance but it is a nice option to have available. If you want to have a daily driver just register it with the original title and buy full time insurance.
Well, I'm a Floridian too...just temporarily living in NM courtesy of my Uncle. I can see the advantage of getting a project titled. And I can see the advantage for those who do only use their vehicles occasionally having reduced registration rates. But it does nothing for those of us who drive our cars daily. Nothing. My '40 is old enough for HC tags, so no more registration & no limits on use, but most cars aren't quite that old (FL requires HC to be pre-45). Same with insurance. I have liability only because I can't find anyone to insure my vehicles because I actually USE them. And now, I'm going to have to shell out of my pocket because the hood on my Stude flew open at 60mph...wish I had insurance that would cover that.
Well, as long as I can just do the normal registration and tag thing and not have my ability to drive my car limited by the govt then I'm good. I care a lot more about driving my cars than I care about what it says on the title.
well since my a coupe is tagged as a street rod,and was inspected by the d.o.t. and got the green light..very cool..i would have to say we have a cool governor,and glad he cares about the fellow hot rodders in the great state of florida......rooster
This bill was signed into law in mid-June. I was the one that posted before about the various days that the legislature was due to vote, and I was encouraging you all to email your representatives and senators in your district. I am looking forward to attempting to obtain an new VIN for my Brookville bodied roadster on a new '32 frame. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. For those of you not in Florida, click on the link in my signature, and Join the SEMA action network. I have been involved with SEMA SAN for 3 years, and you can play a role in getting legislation like this passed in your state. Good luck guys.
I like Charlie Crist as much as the next guy, but all he did was sign the bill. It was introduced by a rep. from the Cocoa area who was an extensize dirt track racing background. This was well underway before he took office. This was the second time the bill was introduced into the House, the last time it was shelved and never came up for a vote. The efforts of SEMA-SAN kept this bill alive this time, and in front of the various commitees. Again, thanks to all of you that called and emailed your legislators over the past year to make this happen. btw - If you want to talk about a cool governor - how about the fact that Charlie is a single guy, that dates women often, and is the Governor of Florida. Awesome.
I like this one. I mean, why not? Who would want to spend good money building the Gasser 41 Willys of their dreams because they can't find a good steel body, just to have catalytic converters and 15(?) MPH bumpers. Or, whatever the law requires that would take away from it's intended look or use? KUDOS Florida!!!!! {Provides that replica vehicles and kit cars will be assigned the same model-year designations as the production vehicles they most closely resemble and allows the use of non-original materials.}
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