AB 157

Current law provides for a special category of motor vehicle registration for

"special interest vehicles," commonly known as "collector" vehicles. A vehicle may

be eligible for registration as a collector vehicle if the vehicle: 1) is at least 20 years

old, has not been altered or modified from its original manufacturer's specifications,

and is being preserved for its historic interest, or 2) is, with an exception, at least 25

years old and is a specific type of former military vehicle, such as a Pinzgauer or

Kaiser Jeep. The Department of Transportation (DOT) issues distinctive

registration plates, commonly known as collector plates, for vehicles registered as

collector vehicles. A collector vehicle may be reregistered for no additional fee.

Collector vehicles are subject to minimal operating restrictions, most notably that

they generally cannot be operated on the highways during the month of January.

Another special registration category recognized under current law allows a

former military vehicle to be registered as a historic military vehicle if the vehicle

was manufactured for use in any country's military forces, is maintained to

accurately represent its military design and markings, and either is a domestic

vehicle or is imported and at least 25 years old. DOT issues special plates for these

vehicles identifying them as historic military vehicles. Historic military vehicles are

subject to significant operating restrictions and may be used only for special

occasions such as display and parade purposes, including traveling to and from such

events, and for necessary testing, maintenance, and storage purposes.

Also under current law, DOT must refuse registration of a vehicle that is

originally designed and manufactured for off-highway operation unless the vehicle

meets the provisions of a certain section of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle

Safety Act of 1966, as amended. However, this prohibition against registration does

not apply to a former military vehicle being registered under the special registration

categories for collector vehicles or historic military vehicles.

This bill modifies this ground for refusing vehicle registration. Under the bill,

DOT must refuse registration of a vehicle that was manufactured after 1969 and does

not meet manufacturer or importer certification label requirements as specified in

federal regulations or that is a Kei class vehicle. However, this prohibition against

registration does not apply to former military vehicles, regardless of the registration

category for which the vehicle is registered. The bill defines a "former military

vehicle" as a vehicle, including a trailer but excluding a tracked vehicle, that was

manufactured for use in any country's military forces. This prohibition against

registration also does not apply to collector vehicles being registered under the

special registration category for collector vehicles. As under current law, this

prohibition against registration also does not apply to a former military vehicle being

registered under the special registration categories for collector vehicles or historic

military vehicles.

The bill also modifies an eligibility requirement for registering a collector