Background:

Under current Washington State law, 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 non-original 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 non-original materials or has been altered dimensionally or in shape and appearance from the original manufactured body.

Street rod vehicles are required to be inspected before they can be titled and branded as a street rod.

A parts car is a motor vehicle that is owned by a collector to furnish parts for restoration or maintenance of a vehicle, thus enabling a collector to preserve, restore, and maintain such a vehicle. The owner of a parts car must possess proof of ownership of each parts car.

Currently there is not a definition for a custom vehicle in statute.

Summary of Bill:

A street rod vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle when:

it is 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,
it has been altered from the manufacture's original design or has a body constructed from non-original 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 been altered from the manufacturer's original design or has a body constructed from non-original materials.

A street rod vehicle and a custom vehicle has to have alterations to one or more of the major component parts which includes: engines; frame; transmission and/or transfer case; cab; door; front or rear differential; front or rear clip; quarter panel; truck bed or box; seat; hood; bumper; fender; or airbag.

A street rod vehicle and a custom vehicle applying for the designation must be registered as a collector vehicle and subject to the initial registration of $35 and not subject to annual renewal. These vehicles cannot be used for general daily transportation and only be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, and similar uses.

The model year and the year of manufacture that are listed on the certificate of title of street rod vehicle or a custom vehicle must be the model year and the year of manufacture that the body of the vehicle resembles.

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 submit a certification that a street rod vehicle or a custom vehicle:

will not be used for general daily transportation and only be used for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, and similar uses;
provides 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 model year and the year of manufacture listed on the certificate of title must be the model year and year of manufacture that the vehicle resembles; and,
the presence of modern equipment does not invalidate the year of manufacture.

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

A street rod or custom vehicle may use blue dot taillights for stop lights, rear turning indicator lights, rear hazard lights, and rear reflectors. A blue dot taillight means a red light installed in the rear of a motor vehicle containing a blue or purple insert that is not more than one inch in diameter.

Hoods and bumpers are optional equipment on street rod vehicles and custom vehicles.

Street rod vehicles and custom vehicles must comply with fender and windshield requirements.

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