SEMA-model legislation that would create a vehicle-registration classification for street rods and custom vehicles and provide for special license plates for these vehicles was approved by the full Texas House of Representatives. The bill defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom as an altered vehicle at least 25 years old and manufactured after 1948. The measure also allows for the use of non-original materials and creates a titling and registration criterion that assigns these vehicles the same model-year designation as the production vehicle they most closely resemble. However, with time running out on the 2011 Texas legislative session, the bill has not yet had a hearing and vote by the Senate Transportation Committee. The bill must also pass a vote by the full Texas Senate before being sent to the governor for his signature and enactment into law.   

For more information, click here. For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.