New Virginia Street Rod Law

[Henry Rifle]

Selected excerpts from the new Virginia street rod law – effective 01 JUL 07.

§ 46.2-100. Definitions.
"Replica vehicle" means every vehicle of a type required to be registered under this title not fully constructed by a licensed manufacturer but either constructed or assembled from components. Such components may be from a single vehicle, multiple vehicles, a kit, parts, or fabricated components. The kit may be made up of "major components" as defined in § 46.2-1600, a full body, or a full chassis, or a combination of these parts. The vehicle shall resemble a vehicle of distinctive name, line-make, model, or type as produced by a licensed manufacturer or manufacturer no longer in business and is not a reconstructed or specially constructed vehicle as herein defined.

§ 46.2-602.1. Titling and registration of replica vehicles.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the model year of vehicles constructed or assembled by multiple manufacturers or assemblers shall be the model year of which the vehicle is a replica. No vehicle titled under this section shall be driven more than 5,000 miles per year as shown by the vehicle's odometer. No vehicle titled under this section shall be automatically eligible for antique motor vehicle license plates provided for in § 46.2-730.

Any vehicle registered under this section shall be subject to vehicle safety inspections as provided for in Article 21 (§ 46.2-1157 et seq.) of Chapter 10 and emissions inspections as provided for in Article 22 (§ 46.2-1176 et seq.) of Chapter 10. Such vehicles shall meet such safety and emission requirements as established for the model year of which the vehicle is a replica. (My note: It will be interesting to see how the bureacrats interpret this one.)

The Department shall assign each such vehicle a new vehicle identification number, line-make, and model year, if required.

§ 46.2-1600
"Major component" means any one of the following subassemblies of a motor vehicle: (i) front clip assembly, consisting of the fenders, grille, hood, bumper, and related parts; (ii) engine; (iii) transmission; (iv) rear clip assembly, consisting of the quarter panels, floor panels, trunk lid, bumper, and related parts; (v) frame; (vi) air bags; and (vii) any door that displays a vehicle identification number.

[brickman]

That sounds like it will be a pretty good thing for the car builders there, they will be able to licsense their cars as what they are, very cool.

[Dave Severson]

Great news for you guys, Jack!!! Looks like someone did a real good job of educating some legislators in Virginia!!!!! Hope you sent the bill's sponsors a thank you note!!!! Heck, give me their addresss and I'll send them one!!! Things like this can go along ways to promoting and ensuring the longevity of the sport of Hot Rodding!!!!!

[dick lobach]

Do they have any restrictions on how much you can use your rod. in PA we can use it anytime.

[Stu Cool]

Wow, that is really very well done. Was there any limitation on how many can be titled per year? Also I wonder what happens when someone builds or buys one in Virginia, an then takes it or sells it to someone in another state.

Pat

[Henry Rifle]

Do they have any restrictions on how much you can use your rod. in PA we can use it anytime.

Yep, they do have a mileage limit.

No vehicle titled under this section shall be driven more than 5,000 miles per year as shown by the vehicle's odometer. While I disagree with the mileage limit, I like it better than the model SEMA law, which technically would prevent me from driving in "everyday use."

BTW, we all know about street rod odomoters, don't we:

[Stu Cool]

I think the mileage or use limitation is going to be a lynch pin for any successful legislation of this type. It demonstrates that these vehicles that are not required to meet strict emission regulations will not have a negative impact on air quality. With so many out there that want to crush old cars because they feel they are gross polluters, we need to be responsible in that regard too, or we will someday lose out all together.

It raises the question: What is the penalty for exceeding 5k miles? Is there an exception process if you plan to take a long trip?

Pat

[Henry Rifle]

Pat,

There's no exception in the wording of the new law. In fact, I can't find anything stating a penalty. However, I have a tach and an electronic speedo . . . and a switch.

Jack
- wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more . . .

[Henry Rifle]

Virginia hasn't updated their forms yet, but both the Governor and the Asst. Dirctor of the DMV assure me that the DMV is ready to go with this new law.

Here's how it works:

If you have a replica car per the law shown above, here's what you do, assuming no VIN:

Apply for a VIN by submitting the following, along with a Form VSA 22. This HAS to be sent to Richmond. They can't do this locally.

1. Notarized Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) for the body and frame
2. Bill of sale for the body and frame
3. Bill of sale for the engine
4. Notarized statement of vehicle construction.
5. Photo of the vehicle in ready-to-run condition.
6. A check in the amount of $130.00 for application and fees.

When you receive the VIN, apply for a title and registration on Form VSA 17A. You need the following items. This can be done at a local DMV office - assuming you have nothing else to do, and the patience of Job.

1. Title with the "Assignment of Title by Owner" and "Application for New Owner Certificate of Title and Registration" sections completed, or, if the vehicle is new, provide the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin'Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MCO or MSO)
2. Completed Application for Title and Registration (VSA 17A), if you have an MCO or MSO
3. Proof of address
4. Proof of purchase price, such as a buyer's order, bill of sale, or the seller's declared sale price on the title. The bill of sale can be a handwritten statement signed by the seller and purchaser or a Supplemental Information for Procurement of Title (SUT 1) signed by the seller and purchaser.
5. Proof of insurance

If you have a valid VIN, you can take items 1-5 from the first list along with you when you apply for the Title and Registration.

I was told that I didn't need a copy of every invoice - just a bill of sale for the body, frame and engine.

Disclaimer:

This is how they told me it will work. I'll let you know when I run it through the system.

[JeffB2]

This a great example of politicans with too much time on their hands and their heads in their anal orfice I can see the freedoms we enjoy being car guys going away rapidly,just heard Obama state that he will push for all new vehicles to increase fuel mileage by 10MPG if elected I can only imagine what else these idiots are thinking!

[Henry Rifle]

Jeff,

I'm not sure what you're talking about here. This is a great law for hot rodders in Virginia. It gives us a method to register our cars as what they really are, allows us to drive them pretty well where and when we want, and exempts them from the burdensome inspection requirements that have grown over the years.

This law is what SEMA has been pushing - only better.

Where's the problem?

[moparjack44]

Jeff, if all we have to worry about is Obama, then we have no worries. His chance of becoming the next President are about as good as me becoming the next Pope ..

Jack

[FFR428]

Congrats on the change. Here in CT composites are now smog exempt as of 6-1-07. New legislature was to make them comply to new car 07 standards..... and was changed by a hard working group effort of Cobra and Hotrods guys. I think SEMA had some input as well. My hats off to them all!!

G.

[Henry Rifle]

Jeff, if all we have to worry about is Obama, then we have no worries. His chance of becoming the next President are about as good as me becoming the next Pope ..

Jack

Well, you'd be the first Pope with a ratrod trophy.

[Bob Parmenter]

Does the Popemobile have a hoodscoop?