GA Title and Registration

[Commissioner]

I have called numerous tax collector offices and spoke with the person who deals with vehicles and none have said there have been any changes, only to motorcycles, which must have a NHTSA certification label on the chassis. I called the GA office who does salvage stuff, and sat on hold forever and got some no name who said a supervisor would have to address my question, of which none were available, and none returned my call. ()*&@#$ing shocking.... I do know of someone trying to get their new replica registered, and they've been given a Form T-22B, which simply has a law officer or county tag agent verify the vin plate, which I assume to be the plate that are affixed to all SPF vehcles. That is then provided to the tag office, along with a applicable paperwork, which would indicate to me that they no longer title cars under "rebuilt" titles, but I might be misreading things. I'm going to call the tag office in Hall on Monday and see if this is all that is needed, or if indeed the "kit car business" in Georgia is dead. I emailed the SEMA contact a couple months ago, and he responded that "they are working with local Govt officials", but nothing is in work. He sent me a sample of the wording for legislation and asked me contact any/all who care about the industry to call on their local gov't officials to assist in getting the law changed. Jason Tolleson is the point of contact as SEMA, jasont@sema.org. Jason Tolleson's number is 202/783-6007, ext. 39. Florida and Colorado are the most recent to amend their laws to title as the year replicating.

Bill
www.starrformance.com

[khansmith]

Originally Posted by Commissioner

I emailed the SEMA contact a couple months ago, and he responded that "they are working with local Govt officials", but nothing is in work. He sent me a sample of the wording for legislation and asked me contact any/all who care about the industry to call on their local gov't officials to assist in getting the law changed. Jason Tolleson is the point of contact as SEMA, jasont@sema.org. Jason Tolleson's number is 202/783-6007, ext. 39. Florida and Colorado are the most recent to amend their laws to title as the year replicating.

Bill
Starrformance :: Vinatge Motorsports

Bill/Anyone:
Has any serious lobbying/organization occurred in GA to help change the laws? SEMA really works best when there is a large(ish) group of folks that organize like minded folks and coordinate letter writing/phone calls with a representative to meet with local officials.

[Commissioner]

According to what I can find, the HB950 Bill passed GA House by a vote of 159-0, and it's now in the Senate as of 2/19/08. If they vote for it, it goes to Gov. Sonny for signature. I read FL's amendment to the DMV rules and it was very simple to read, I find this to be beauracratic "Bravo Sierra", that sort of doesn't make sense... or maybe it's just me? You can read it word for word here:

Georgia General Assembly - HB 950


Commish sends....

[svobud]

In case you guys arent sure what all that legal mumbo-jumbo says in the new Bill, they are clearing up conflicting language from previous GA Codes. Nothing has really changed by way of the law.

If you have a newly built Kit, Replica, Homebuilt ride ... and this Bill includes those homebuilt (choppa) motorcycles as well.

You will have to obtain a TITLE (proof of ownership) for it in order to obtain a REGISTRATION (tag).

Upon buying a new or completing the assembly of your Cobra replica, if you want to TITLE it in Georgia .. you will need a State safety/equipt inspection. Your car will then be titled the year of inspection for title (ie: 2008 model) and you will have to meet emission standards in 2 years of new title issuance ... in order to obtain a REGISTRATION (tag).

For all those with a 1965 Titled/Bill of Sale vehicles ... this Bill does not apply.

[khansmith]

Thanks for the info. So I see the issues as two fold:
1.) The ability to title and register a kit vehicle
2.) Obtaining some type of relief from the emmission standard to allow for more "classic" engines on the grounds that these are limited use vehicles.

From the string thus far, issue #1 seems to be addressed if HB90 gets approved but it only gets us half way there. Looks like the next challege will be to lobby for relief of emission standards on kit cars as they are relatively low volume/recreational use vehicles that have very little threat on the carbon footprint.

If the above assessment is correct, if we were to lobby against a cause, it would be to leverage SEMA and the collective strenght of the kitcar/hot rod/chopper community in GA to obtain legislation that is specific to specialty vehicles to relieve the emission standard. It also seems that a serious organized attempt to make this change has yet to occur. Is this right?

[Commissioner]

Well, the last way to get the safety inspection was to get it done at a salvage inspection, something that was stopped last year. I guess they would have to bring it back. When we would title an SPF demo car for the dealership, we'd get the "rebuilt" title, because that's what we were told to have. Local customers in smog counties would then "apply" for a 3 year emissions' exemption and then would be on the hook at the 3 year mark to meet emissions. So, I guess I just don't see this accomplishing anything. Now, I did hear that one of my SPF guys went to re-new his 65 plate, and they would not do it, due to it being a replica. I don't see how that can happen, but then again, the amount of bravo sierra he went thru with Dawsonville, (I think), I am not surprised. My counsel: Find an address or a 5th cousin twice removed who lives in FL and avoid all this headache and do the title/rego down there. This does not need to be this painful!!!!!

[svobud]

Commish ...

I do believe this Bill clears up the salvage title issues they were having before. There wasnt any dialog for kits/replicas/homebuilts in GA Code prior to this at all (having the big book of knowledge issued to you yearly helps ). Now they have included a definition of "kit/replica" etc and how they are to handled. ie: they have to pass a state inspection for equipt standards (40-8-whatever) is for such things like lights, windshield, wipers, etc. to obtain title, blah blah blah.

What I'm not seeing if an exception for emissions. The (B) If applicable, federal emission standards issued pursuant to 42 U.S.C.A. Section 7401 through Section 7642, the 'Clean Air Act,' as amended. only hints to it, but that could be only associated to motorcycles .. they dont have to meet an emission standard.

I was hoping the State would make an emissions exception for replica/kit cars seeing how they are such a niche market, but it doesnt appear to be happening (yet). I guess you could always temporarily drop in a turbo diesel for your state inspection and smile.