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2007 SESSION

078336308
HOUSE BILL NO. 1927
Offered January 10, 2007
Prefiled January 4, 2007
A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-730 of the Code of Virginia, relating to license plates for antique vehicles; limitations on use of certain antique vehicles; penalties.
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Patrons-- Griffith, Carrico, Cox, Fralin, Lingamfelter, Orrock, Rapp and Suit; Senators: Bell and Edwards
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Referred to Committee on Transportation
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1.  That § 46.2-730 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 46.2-730. License plates for antique motor vehicles and antique trailers; fee; penalty.

A. On receipt of an application, the Commissioner shall issue appropriately designed license plates to owners of antique motor vehicles and antique trailers. These license plates shall be valid so long as title to the vehicle is vested in the applicant. The fee for the registration card and license plates of any of these vehicles shall be $10.

B. On receipt of an application, the Commissioner may authorize for use on antique motor vehicles and antique trailers Virginia license plates manufactured prior to 1976 and designed for use without decals, if such license plates are embossed with or are of the same year of issue as the model year of the antique motor vehicle or antique trailer on which they are to be displayed. Original metal year tabs issued in place of license plates for years 1943 and 1953 and used with license plates issued in 1942 and 1952, respectively, also may be authorized by the Commissioner for use on antique motor vehicles and antique trailers that are of the same model year as the year the metal tab was originally issued. These license plates and metal tabs shall remain valid so long as title to the vehicle is vested in the applicant. The fee for the registration card and permission to use the license plates and metal tabs on any of these vehicles shall be $10.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of §§ 46.2-711 and 46.2-715, antique motor vehicles may display single license plates if the original manufacturer's design of the antique motor vehicles allows for the use of only single license plates or if the license plate was originally issued in one of the following years and is displayed in accordance with the provisions of subsection B of this section: 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1945, or 1946.

D. Except as provided in subsection E of this section, motor vehicles and trailers registered with license plates issued under this section shall not be used for general transportation purposes, including, but not limited to, (i) daily travel to and from the owner's place of employment and (ii) carrying or transporting anything other than passengers, personal effects of the owner, show-related materials, and other antique vehicles being transported for show purposes, but shall only be used:

1. For participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar events; and

2. On the highways of the Commonwealth for the purpose of testing their operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, transportation to and from events as described in subdivision 1 of this subsection, and for occasional pleasure driving not exceeding 250 miles from the residence of the owner.

Except for vehicles for which license plates are issued pursuant to subsections B and C, no license plate shall be issued under this section to any applicant who (a) is not the registered owner of at least one other vehicle registered for general transportation purposes (b) cannot show proof that the vehicle is covered by a collector or agreed value insurance policy at the time of registration or that the vehicle has been inspected by the Department's investigative services to determine its worthiness to be registered as an antique vehicle, has not submitted an affidavit acknowledging his understanding of the provisions of this section in effect at the time of registration.

Except for vehicles for which license plates are issued pursuant to subsections B and C, all license plates issued under this section shall bear the legend: "LIMITED USE."

E. Notwithstanding the foregoing provision of this section, antique motor vehicles and antique trailers displaying license plates issued pursuant to subsections B and C of this section may be used for general transportation purposes if the following conditions are met:

1. The physical condition of the vehicle's license plate or plates has been inspected and approved by the Department;

2. The license plate or plates are registered to the specific vehicle by the Department;

3. The owner of the vehicle periodically registers the vehicle with the Department and pays a registration fee for the vehicle equal to that which would be charged to obtain regular state license plates for that vehicle;

4. The vehicle passes a periodic safety inspection as provided in Article 21 (§ 46.2-1157 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of this title;

5. The vehicle displays current decals attached to the license plate, issued by the Department, indicating the valid registration period for the vehicle; and

6. When applicable, the vehicle meets the requirement of Article 22 (§ 46.2-1176 et seq.) of Chapter 10 of this title.

If more than one request is made for use, as provided in this subsection, of license plates having the same number, the Department shall accept only the first such application. Only vehicles titled to the person seeking to use license plates as provided in this subsection shall be eligible to use license plates as provided in this subsection.

F. Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the use of an antique motor vehicle to tow a trailer or semitrailer.

G. Use of a vehicle bearing license plates issued under this section other than as specifically authorized in this section shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor, and the Department shall refuse to issue license plates under this section for any such vehicle for five years.