By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
SEMA-opposed legislation to increase the age requirement for vehicles eligible for registration as “historic motor vehicles” died when the legislature adjourned for the year. Under the House version of the bill, the age requirement would have been raised from 20 to at least 30 years old, making it more difficult to register legitimate historic vehicles, which are already limited to club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades and occasional pleasure driving.
The measure also would have denied all 20–30-year-old vehicles certain benefits, including the special historic license plate, reduced registration fees and exemptions from equipment and emissions-inspection requirements. The bill sought to address unsubstantiated claims of abuse without providing any real data. The Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) is already authorized by regulation to suspend the registration of any historic vehicle for use that is inconsistent with the registration requirements.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.