NJ Legislature to Expand Historic Vehicle Use

[NJSPEEDER]

Just got this from our friends at SEMA-SAN. Looks like good news for enthusiasts all over the state.

New Jersey Introduces Bill to Expand Use of Historic Vehicles Legislation (A.B. 1495) that would amend the state’s current law governing historic motor vehicles to permit their use for pleasure driving one day per week has been introduced in the New Jersey State Assembly by Assemblyman John Burzichelli (asmburzichelli@njleg.org). Under current New Jersey law, use of historic vehicles is strictly limited to exhibitions and educational purposes by the owner.
We Urge You to Contact Members of the House Committee on Transportation, Public Work and Independent Authorities (List Below) in Support of A.B. 1495

• A.B. 1495 will provide New Jersey historic vehicle owners the opportunity to enjoy recreational driving on weekdays in addition to the other sanctioned uses.
• A.B. 1495 provides added incentive to owners of qualifying historic vehicles (more than 25-years old) to register as “historic.”

Please contact members of the New Jersey House Committee on Transportation, Public Work and Independent Authorities immediately by phone or e-mail to request their support of A.B. 1495.

Please e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org. Thank you for your assistance.
Transportation, Public Work and Independent Authorities
Assemblyman John Wisniewski - Chair
Phone: 732/316-1885
Email: asmwiniewski@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Linda Stender
Phone: 908/668-1900
Email: aswstender@njleg.org
Assemblyman John Amodeo
Email: asmamodeo@njleg.org
Assemblyman Thomas Giblin
Phone: 973-779-3125
Email: asmgiblin@njleg.org
Assemblyman Matthew Milam
Phone: 856/293-8353
Email: asmmilam@njleg.org
Assemblyman Vincent Prieto
Phone: 201/770-1303
Email: asmprieto@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Caridad Rodriguez
Phone: 201/854-0900
Email: aswrodriguez@njleg.org
Assemblyman Scott Rudder
Phone: 856/234-8080
Email: asmrudder@njleg.org
Assemblyman Scott Rumana
Phone: 973/237-1360
Email: asmrumana@njleg.org
Assemblyman Brian Rumpf
Phone: 609/693-6700
Email: rumpf@njleg.org
Assemblyman Harvey Smith
Email: asmsmith@njleg.org
Assemblywoman Connie Wagner
Phone: 201/576-9199
Email: aswwagner@njleg.org

Get in touch with your assmebly rep ASAP to let them know your feelings on this and related automotive hobby issues. These are the people we need to be friends with, because they are the ones that can help protect our hobby.

[DaSkinnyGuy]

thats great and all but people with these kinds of cars the ones with QQ plates arent they only aloud 3,000 miles a year total. This would mean they could only drive their car 57 miles total each week.

[NJSPEEDER]

the QQ mileage restrictions were suspended a few years ago. they are still on the books, but currently in a non-enforcement status because they want to review that part of the QQ rules.

the limitations on useage are a large portion of what this legislation is aimed at.

support this and hopefully we can start pushing for some expansion in the collector vehicle applications next.

[1972LT1]

Originally Posted by DaSkinnyGuy

thats great and all but people with these kinds of cars the ones with QQ plates arent they only aloud 3,000 miles a year total. This would mean they could only drive their car 57 miles total each week.

I have QQ plates. The restrictions were 3k per year, to and from shows and cruises, and "maintenance rides". You know....just changed the oil and lubed the suspension,just rotated the tires,tuned up the engine, gotta take it for a ride to make sure it feels right.

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by 1972LT1

I have QQ plates. The restrictions were 3k per year, to and from shows and cruises, and "maintenance rides". You know....just changed the oil and lubed the suspension,just rotated the tires,tuned up the engine, gotta take it for a ride to make sure it feels right.

I don't think the 3000 applies to QQs, at least not anymore. The MVC site sucks, but I only see references to 3000 for collectors, not historics.

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Inspectio...clesExempt.htm

Historic vehicles
General inspections are not required for historic or collector vehicles. To be classified as a "historic vehicle" it must be:
* At least 25 years old
* Specially registered and display QQ plates (1945 and earlier models are required to displayone plateon the rear of the vehicle. 1946 and newer models will be issued two plates and both plates must be displayed, 1 on the front and one on the back of the vehicle).


Collector vehicles
To be classified as a "collector vehicle" you need to apply when you register and make sure that the vehicle:
* Is not registered as a "historic vehicle" or a "street rod"
* Is not driven more than 3,000 miles per year
* Is insured as a limited use "collector vehicle"

[LS1Hawk]

Originally Posted by NJSPEEDER

support this and hopefully we can start pushing for some expansion in the collector vehicle applications next.

That's what I first thought of when reading this. Did SEMA ever address the issue when we brought it up to them about the twisted rules for collector status?

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by LS1Hawk

That's what I first thought of when reading this. Did SEMA ever address the issue when we brought it up to them about the twisted rules for collector status?

No, we never heard anything back from SEMA (SAN) about the issue. One of our members forwarded me an email response from his local assemblyman saying that he had no knowledge of the change in collector car rules, and that he was not aware of any government vote on the issue. It sounds as though it was a policy change within the NJ MVC.

- Justin

[79CamaroDiva]

...honestly, i've always thought we were allowed 'pleasure use' any time i've been pulled over in my camaro that was the last thing they were giving me problems for anyhow

[EchoMirage]

my friend has had QQs on his 72 trans am for years, and has never been pulled over for anything like improper use of a historic vehicle or whatever they want to call it. day or night, weekday or weekend, highways/surface streets, driving to work or a cruise. thats a 'law' thats never been enforced. i dont see this bill changing much of anything, other then not having a mileage limit.

[maroman88]

Originally Posted by EchoMirage

my friend has had QQs on his 72 trans am for years, and has never been pulled over for anything like improper use of a historic vehicle or whatever they want to call it. day or night, weekday or weekend, highways/surface streets, driving to work or a cruise. thats a 'law' thats never been enforced. i dont see this bill changing much of anything, other then not having a mileage limit.

saves ur ass if involved in an accident would be the obvious advantage, other then that not much

[Blackbirdws6]

so happy I did the collector thing before things got thick!

[jims69camaro]

there's more:

Newly Introduced Legislation

Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures:

Antique/Custom Vehicles
New Jersey AB 1495: Changes the definition of occasional travel for an antique vehicle to mean driving it not more than once a week, other than exhibition and educational purposes. (this thread)

Emissions/Inspections
New Jersey AB 1332: Exempts vehicles five years old or less from state vehicle inspections. (this sounds to me like how they used to not require inspection for new cars for two years, now they are extending it to five years)

Miscellaneous
New Jersey AB 1318: Requires vehicles manufactured after a set date to be equipped with a rear high-mounted stop lamp. (i always thought this was the law, but i guess it was meant for the vehicle manufacturers, not the consumers. i guess now if they pass the law and your car falls into that category and doesn't have a third brake light, there will be some retrofitting in your future.)

this one is my favorite:
Street Racing

New Jersey AB 908: Raises the fines for anyone associated with drag racing on public streets. Also makes the offense punishable with jail, for a minimum of 180 days up to 1 year without parole. (they aren't fooling around anymore. unfortunately, our jails are already overcrowded, and imagine some ricer gets 6 months in jail and his celly is a serial rapist or something... )

[String]

my brother has the QQ plates on his 73 challenger and he hasn't had any problems with driving around frequently. I thought the mileage thing and weekends only was just for the collector insurance like haggerty.

[jims69camaro]

collector insurance companies do have mileage restrictions.

just seen today in the SAN email:

Recently introduced legislation:
Antique
New York AB 1919: Provides vehicles registered as historical vehicles the option of only using a rear license plate. (if they can do it, why can't we? make contact with your legislators! not only do they need your support, the more people who contact them, the more they will know how seriously we take our hobby.)

Street Racing
Arizona HB 2837: Amends the street-racing law by raising the fine for a first offense to no less than $500 and the fine for any subsequent violation to no less than $1,000. Also extends the time period to 60 months in which individuals cannot receive another street-racing conviction or be found guilty of a felony and have their license revoked.

Florida HB 1043: Amends the street-racing law to include spectators as those who can be charged and fined for participating in street racing. Further defines what an act of street racing is to include “exhibition of acceleration” and “exhibition of speed.” Also sets new charges and penalties for those caught racing or caught as a spectator, if anyone is killed during the act of street racing.

remember to contact your legislator to support their efforts to get laws (re)written. if they know you are serious, then they will take the subject seriously.

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by jims69camaro

some/most collector insurance companies do have mileage restrictions.

Fixed. My Hagerty policy has none.

[cheppibear]

This bill (subject of thread) was actually introduced in 2006 under A3540 and of course has not gone anywhere. It was "re-introduced" for the 2008 session under A1495.

I sent an email to John Wisniewski on this (see below). This bill will continue to go no where if the Transportation/Public Works committee does not get it on their agenda and move it along. Everyone should send emails and post any response from any member of the committee in this thread. The Transportation/Public Works committee seemed to move along the "Collector Car" bill which eventually changed the law quickly...

I sent this on March 14, 2008...

Dear Mr. Wisniewski,

The aforementioned bill in the subject line has been provided to your
committee for review and consideration. I believe the bill was originally
introduced in 2006 with good intentions and has not been reviewed since that
time. I would ask that you and your committee review this bill in session
with great consideration for referral on to the next stage in becoming law.

This "softer" regulation would provide more flexibility for the automotive
hobbyist to operate their historical vehicle. The goal of any automotive
hobbyist is to preserve the history of their automobile in a pristine
matter. In most cases the only way to know if something is mechanically
wrong with a vehicle is to actually drive it. Operating such vehicles on
public roads with a limited driving privilege allows the owner to ensure
safe operation while traveling to various exhibition events and car shows.
New Jersey is a state that prides itself on preserving our history and this
bill would promote that even further for the automotive enthusiast.

I would appreciate your time in consideration and thoughts on A1495.

Best Regards
Paul

[jims69camaro]

Originally Posted by cheppibear

This bill (subject of thread) was actually introduced in 2006 under A3540 and of course has not gone anywhere. It was "re-introduced" for the 2008 session under A1495.

I sent an email to John Wisniewski on this.

I sent this on March 14, 2008...

Dear Mr. Wisniewski,

The aforementioned bill in the subject line [A1495] ...

Best Regards
Paul

awesome. you did all of the right things, according to http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=61703 "Suggestions for email communication":

Suggestions for email communication

Treat it as an electronic personal letter -- Follow the same rules for form and content as you would for writing a personal letter. Avoid the symbols, shorthand or "electronic-speak" that often accompanies personal emails. Write in complete sentences.

Title your submission -- Take advantage of the email subject line to give the legislator an idea of what the letter is going to be about. Include the bill number, if possible. This will make it easier for the legislator to categorize the email and respond more effectively.

Include a home address -- Always provide your postal address somewhere in the body of your email. This will increase your chances of getting a response to your note. Most legislators and legislative staff are not prone to establishing an electronic conversation.

III. Form letters "Canned" or form letters are okay, but not nearly as effective as a personal letter or email. Certainly, they are easy to produce and send in; however, they lack personal touch and conviction. Legislators are more likely to discount form letters because they may show a lack of effort, and lack of effort can be translated into lack of interest. Legislators want to see effort. Effort shows them that you have a genuine interest in an issue and a willingness to go out of your way to make your case.

Nonetheless, if you are embarking on a form letter campaign, keep these two iron-clad rules in mind:

Include your address -- A great number of form letters have no obvious space for you to LEGIBLY write in your address. Without an address, the legislator has just a piece of paper. He or she wonât know whether you are a constituent or not.

Give extra effort -- Take an extra 30 seconds to write a 1- or 2-line personal note at the bottom of the form letter. Briefly restate your concerns. Ask for a written response. Any effort to make the form letter personal will help it be noticed.

absolutely copy this letter (from paul) and send it along, changing it subtly to carry your voice to the legislators... if they don't know, tell them. if they know, get them to do the right thing!

-jim

[cheppibear]

Thanks - Appreciate your positive feedback.

My concern with the old historic language was always that it limited the owner to driving to shows/educational events or whatever. That is why I carefully wrote this section.."In most cases the only way to know if something is mechanically
wrong with a vehicle is to actually drive it. Operating such vehicles on
public roads with a limited driving privilege allows the owner to ensure
safe operation while traveling to various exhibition events and car shows."

It makes no sense to maintain your vehicle if you can't drive it unless you are on your way to a show...and break down on the way to the show.

What is interesting (and as Bonzo mentioned earlier in this thread) is that the NJ MVC wbesite page that describes historic vehicles was updated on Janaury 22, 2008. The defintion makes no mention of driving limitation. In fact the only limitation is that the vehicle must be "At least 25 years old" (See below).

Historic vehicles
General inspections are not required for historic or collector vehicles. To be classified as a "historic vehicle" it must be:
At least 25 years old
Specially registered and display QQ plates (1945 and earlier models are required to displayone plateon the rear of the vehicle. 1946 and newer models will be issued two plates and both plates must be displayed, 1 on the front and one on the back of the vehicle).

url http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/Inspectio...clesExempt.htm