New Jersey A-3540 Regarding Historic Plates

[bencar]

Hey folks, I know we all do this, drive our Historic cars from time to time during the week when there aren't any Shows or Cruise Nights on, and that I know of, no one has been bothered about that practice, but technically, that is illegal. A-3540, would make legal, what many of us have been luckily getting away with, even though it isn't permitted under current law, so please, read the Bill below, and then get after your State Assemblypeople to get this Bill passed.

ASSEMBLY, No. 3540


STATE OF NEW JERSEY

212th LEGISLATURE



INTRODUCED OCTOBER 23, 2006







Sponsored by:

Assemblyman JOHN J. BURZICHELLI

District 3 (Salem, Cumberland and Gloucester)









SYNOPSIS

Permits historic motor vehicles to be used for pleasure driving one day per week.



CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

As introduced.





An Act concerning historic motor vehicles and amending P.L.1964, c.195.



Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:



1. Section 1 of P.L.1964, c.195 (C.39:3-27.3) is amended to read as follows:

As used in this act:

"Historic motor vehicle" shall mean any motor vehicle which is at least 25 years old [and which] , is owned as a collector's item, and used [solely] for occasional travel and exhibition and educational purposes by the owner;

["Director" shall mean the Director of Motor Vehicles.]

“Occasional travel” shall mean driving a historic motor vehicle not more than one day per week for other than exhibition and educational purposes.

(cf: P.L.1964, c.195, s. 1)



2. This act shall take effect on the first day of the sixth month after enactment.





STATEMENT



Under current law, owners of properly registered historic motor vehicles are permitted to operate them solely for exhibition and educational purposes. This bill permits the use of these vehicles also for occasional travel or pleasure driving, which is defined as not more than one day per week.

In order to be designated as an historic motor vehicle, a vehicle must be at least 25 years old and owned as a collector’s item.

This bill also removes the definition of Director of Motor Vehicles from the statute as the Motor Vehicle Commission is now led by a chief administrator.

[super]

In the state of Missouri, you are allowed test and tune miles on your car. Good enough of an excuse. Very seldom do I strictly go to a show. I guess I fall in to that boat. Most documented miles are actually test and tune.

Do these rules apply to your state?

Thanks,
Jeff

[bencar]

The same story in New Jersey, and basically, this Bill would simply make legal, what a lot of us are already doing. While I don't personally know of anyone who's been stopped for driving their Antique vehicle when they weren't actually going to and from a Show, or Parade, all you need is one over zealous Cop, looking to make a name for himself, and you now have a world of trouble to deal with. In a way, A-3540 is cheap insurance against an unnecessary problem. I just hope the New Jersey hobbyist community gets behind this Bill.

[super]

Hope it works out. You are definitely correct about the law officers. I have never had a problem, but it only takes one trying to make an example.

[bencar]

What might kill this Bill, is complacency, coupled with a hefty dose of apathy. Since most aren't being bothered, it's hard get them motivated to push for passage of this little bit of added insurance.