Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Transportation Committee

HB 2373

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Summary of Bill

Requires collector vehicle license plates to be renewed every five years with a signed certification by the owner.
Prohibits the use of collector vehicles for business or commercial purposes or routine transportation.
Authorizes the Department of Licensing to cancel the registration of a collector vehicle that does not meet the requirements.
Requires that a motor vehicle be manufactured or built before January 1, 1916, to be eligible for a horseless carriage license plate.

Background:

A registered owner may apply to the Department of Licensing (DOL) for a collector vehicle license plate for a motor vehicle or travel trailer that is at least 30 years old. The motor vehicle must be operated primarily as a collector vehicle and be in good running order. The owner may receive a collector plate that is assigned by the DOL or the owner can provide an actual Washington-issued license plate designated for general use in the year of the vehicle's manufacture. The original registration fee ranges from $49.75 to $55.75 depending on the type of vehicle. The plates are valid for the life of the vehicle, are not required to be renewed, may be transferred from one vehicle to another vehicle if the plate was provided by the owner, and must be displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle. Approximately 275,000 collector vehicles are registered in Washington, which is approximately 3.4 percent of total registered vehicles. Approximately 11 percent of the total collector vehicles registered in the state were built or manufactured after 1980.

Within the count of collector vehicles is a subset of vehicles called "horseless carriages" that has additional requirements. A horseless carriage motor vehicle must be at least 40 years old. The original registration fee ranges from $55.25 and $60.25 depending on the type of vehicle. The plates are valid for the life of the motor vehicle, are not required to be renewed, may not be transferred to any other motor vehicle, and must be displayed on the rear of the motor vehicle.

The Horseless Carriage Club of America defines a "horseless carriage" as any pioneer gas, steam, or electric motor vehicle built or manufactured before January 1, 1916.

All collector vehicles may be driven only for participation in club activities, to and from exhibitions, auto shows, tours, parades, for testing purposes, and occasional driving for pleasure without compensation.

Summary of Bill:

Collector vehicle license plates must be renewed every five years and may not be used for business or commercial purposes or for routine transportation. Applicants for an initial or five-year renewal registration for collector vehicle license plates must submit a certification form. Vehicles must be be manufactured or built before January 1, 1916, to be eligible for a horseless carriage license plate. The DOL may refuse to issue or renew a collector vehicle license plate and may cancel a registration certificate if the applicant does not meet these qualifications. The act applies retroactively to all collector vehicle registrations and collector vehicle plate holders.