Bill Text: NJ S687 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Revises law authorizing issuance of special license plates for street rods; extends authorization to replica custom vehicles.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-12 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Transportation Committee [S687 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-S687-Introduced.html
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Senator PAUL A. SARLO
District 36 (Bergen, Essex and Passaic)
Senator STEVEN V. OROHO
District 24 (Sussex, Hunterdon and Morris)
SYNOPSIS
Revises law authorizing issuance of special license plates for street rods; extends authorization to replica custom vehicles.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
An Act concerning certain motor vehicle registrations, supplementing Title 39 of the Revised Statutes, and amending R.S.39:8-1 and R.S.39:3-50 P.L.1981, c.240.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 1 of P.L.1981, c.240 (C.39:3-27.27) is amended to read as follows:
1. a. As used in this section:
"Street rod" means a motor vehicle that:
(1) was manufactured prior to 1949, or was manufactured in or after 1949 in a manner to resemble a vehicle manufactured prior to 1949; and
(2) has been altered from the manufacturer's original design, or has a body constructed from non-original parts.
"Replica custom vehicle" means a motor vehicle that:
(1) is at least 25 years old and of a model year after 1948, or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle 25 years old and of a model year after 1948; and
(2) has been altered from the manufacturer's original design, or has a body constructed from non-original parts.
The owner of a [modified antique automobile manufactured before 1949, referred to as] "street rod[,]" or "replica custom vehicle" which is registered in this State[,] may apply to the [Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles] chief administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission for a special license plate to be displayed in place of the standard license plate. In applying for issuance of a special plate under this section, the owner of the vehicle shall submit with the application a certification, in such form as the chief administrator shall prescribe, that the vehicle for which the application is made will be used exclusively for occasional transportation, not to exceed 3,000 miles in any calendar year, to vehicle exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, and similar uses, and will not be used for general daily transportation. The owner shall also submit with the application proof, acceptable to the chief administrator, that the vehicle passed a safety inspection that has been approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with one or more organizations comprised of and representing custom motor vehicle owners in this State.
The special plate shall be issued upon proof that the street rod or replica custom vehicle is registered in a New Jersey street rod club which is fully affiliated with the National Street Rod Association, Inc. The plate shall be issued for the applicant's use only for the registered vehicle and upon a transfer of title [he] the transferor shall surrender the plate to the [director] chief administrator.
b. The special plate shall bear the words "street rod" and shall be of a design approved by the [director] chief administrator. The fee for the plate shall be [$15.00 in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of the motor vehicle] $50, payable to the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, which shall be in addition to the fee otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of motor vehicles. The chief administrator shall collect annually, subsequent to the year of issuance of the street rod license plate, a $10 fee for the license plate in addition to the fees otherwise prescribed by law for the registration of a motor vehicle.
c. A person issued the special plate, in addition to the prescribed inspection sticker, shall display a valid National Street Rod Association safety inspection sticker on the vehicle.
d. The fine for violating this act is not less than $25.00 nor more than $50.00.
e. Upon proper application, the chief administrator shall certify, authorize, and issue a certificate of ownership to the owner of a replica custom vehicle, provided that the owner submits proof that that vehicle qualifies as a replica custom vehicle pursuant to subsection a. of this section. The term "RCV" (Replica Custom Vehicle) shall be indicated on the certificate of ownership. The year of manufacture and model year stated on the certificate of ownership shall be the year of manufacture.
(cf: P.L.1981, c.240, s.1)
2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the thirteenth month after enactment, provided however, the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission may take such anticipatory action as needed for the act's timely implementation.
STATEMENT
This bill amends the current law establishing a street rod license plate and includes both street rods and replica custom vehicles in its provisions.
The bill defines a street rod as a motor vehicle that: (1) was manufactured prior to 1949, or manufactured in or after 1949 in a manner to resemble a vehicle manufactured prior to 1949; and (2) has been altered from the manufacturer's original design, or has a body constructed from non-original parts. Replica custom vehicles are defined under the bill as motor vehicles that: (1) are at least 25 years old and of a model year after 1948, or were manufactured to resemble such a vehicle; and (2) have been altered from the manufacturer's original design, or have a body constructed from non-original parts.
The bill establishes an initial fee for the street rod license plate of $50, as well as an additional $10 annual fee. An owner would have to accompany any special license plate application with: (1) certification that the vehicle will only be used for occasional transportation, not to exceed 3,000 miles per calendar year, to vehicle exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, and the like; and (2) proof that the vehicle passed a safety inspection approved by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission in consultation with one or more organizations representing New Jersey's custom motor vehicle owners.
The bill authorizes the chief administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission to issue to a "replica custom vehicle" owner a certificate of ownership with "RCV" ("Replica Custom Vehicle") indicated on the certificate. The year of manufacture and the model year stated on the certificate of ownership shall be the year of manufacture.
