FINAL BILL REPORT

ESSB 5585

C 114 L 11

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning street rod and custom vehicles.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senator Carrell).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: Currently, a street rod vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle, other than a motorcycle, that meets the following conditions:

• the vehicle was manufactured before 1949;

• the vehicle has been assembled or reconstructed using major component parts of a motor vehicle manufactured before 1949; or

• the vehicle was assembled or manufactured after 1949, to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949; and

• the vehicle has been modified in its body style or design through the use of nonoriginal or reproduction components, such as frame, engine, drive train, suspension, or brakes in a manner that does not adversely affect its safe performance as a motor vehicle or render it unlawful for highway use; or

• the body has been constructed from nonoriginal materials or has been altered dimensionally or in shape and appearance from the original manufactured body.

Further, a parts car is currently defined as a motor vehicle that is owned by a collector to furnish parts for restoration or maintenance of a collector vehicle, thus enabling a collector to preserve, restore, and maintain such a vehicle.

Summary: A street rod vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle that is a 1948 or older vehicle or the vehicle was manufactured after 1948 to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949 and has alterations to one or more of the major component parts that change the appearance or performance of the vehicle from the original manufacturer's design or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.

A custom vehicle is defined as:

• a motor vehicle that is at least 30 years old and of a model year after 1948; or

• was manufactured to resemble a vehicle at least 30 years old and of a model year after 1948; and

• has alterations to one or more of the major component parts that changes the appearance or performance of the vehicle from the original manufacturer's design or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.

The presence of modern equipment including, but not limited to, brakes, engines, or seat belts or the presence of optional equipment on a street rod or custom vehicle does not invalidate the year of manufacture on the certificate of title.

A procedure for submitting an application for a certificate of title for a street rod vehicle or a custom vehicle for the first time is outlined. A vehicle registration issued to a street rod or custom vehicle need not be an initial vehicle registration for the vehicle.

Current law which excludes certain vehicles from emission test requirements is amended to include street rod and custom vehicles.

Before accepting an application for a certificate of title, the Department of Licensing, county auditor, or other agent or subagent must require an applicant to provide a certificate of vehicle inspection completed by the Washington State Patrol or other authorized inspector when the application is for a vehicle being titled for the first time as a street rod or custom vehicle. The inspection must verify that the vehicle identification number is genuine and agrees with the number shown on the certificate of title and registration certificate.

A street rod or custom vehicle is allowed to use blue dot taillights for various vehicle equipment lamps. However, hoods and bumpers are optional equipment on street rod and custom vehicles; both kinds of vehicles must comply with fender and windshield requirements.

Various provisions of existing law regarding parts cars and street rod vehicles are repealed.

Both street rod and custom vehicles must be maintained for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, and similar uses. These vehicles are not to be used for general daily transportation.

Votes on Final Passage: