Hello All,
By now, most of you are aware of HB288 sponsored by Delegate Danny Marshall of Danville, which is stripping away privileges under the antique vehicle registration statute. The Bill as written would reduce our pleasure use privileges from a 250 mile radius to one of only 50 miles. In addition, the Bill also clarifies the prohibited use of Antique tags for any work related purposes.
Delegate Marshall has agreed to drop the reduction in the pleasure use provision, leaving the 250 mile pleasure use provision in the statute. He also plans to leave the language in the bill which prohibits the use of the antique tag for any work related activity.
All of this would seem to be a victory for the hobbyists of Virginia. It is not. The Chairman of the House Transportation Committee has decided to consider safety inspections for antiques and has requested along with Delegate Marshall that DMV and State law enforcement spend the next several months studying additional solutions to problems regarding the Antique tag statutes. They are supposed to include hobbyists in their fact finding and problem solving. It will likely only be lip service, especially from law enforcement, which usually looks for any reason to further regulate or stop cars. We will have to fight this again next year if we cannot stop unacceptable amendments to this bill.
The Chairman of the House Transportation Committee is Leo Wardrup Jr. of Virginia Beach. Just to set the stage I have included a response to a hobbyist written by Mr. Wardrups legislative aid. His response is both patronizing and condescending. I have placed points of interest in bold. It follows:

Delegate Wardrup appreciates your contacting him regarding HB 288. Its
patron, Delegate Marshall, is working with us, the State Police, and DMV to
find a solution to getting the junkers that abuse the antique plate
privilege off the road and enhance vehicle safety. We also have contacted
several antiques car clubs to get their input. We hope to resolve the
issue before the General Assembly finishes this year, but there may have to
be a phasing in of solutions.

Delegate Marshall has an amendment to retain the 250 miles. We are
investigating requiring inspections for all vehicles manufactured after
about 1960 and having the owners show proof of insurance at that time.

We are sensitive to the condition of older vehicles and they would retain
the inspection exemption. Vehicles since 1960 retain almost all of the
requirements to pass today's inspection, except possibly seat belts which
were required by January 1988. It is interesting to note that the State of
Virginia has required vehicle inspections since 1932.

I have been involved with antique vehicles for over 50 years and have owned
a 1938 Mercedes, 1953 Jaguar XK 120M, and a 1963 Karman Ghia VW among
others. I currently have a 1979 Mercedes SL and a 1984 Porsche 944 which I
drive regularly without antique plates. In fact I drove the Ghia until
2003 with regular plates. Regardless of the type of plate, however, our
primary interest is in supporting bona fied enthusiasts and promoting
vehicle safety.

If you have further concerns or suggestions, please feel free to e-mail or
call me at 804-698-1283.

Sincerely,

Jack Hilgers
Legislative Assistant to
Delegate Wardrup
Chairman, House Transportation Committee

I have great doubts as to their claims of working with hobbyists in Tidewater or elsewhere.

I am urging all hobbyists in our state to write, fax, E-mail and call Chairman Wardrup of Virginia Beach and Delegate Marshall as well as others on the House Transportation Committee and your area representatives. It is also very important to contact House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith. Let them know that you want to them to vote against HB288 unless the only bill amendment restores our 250 mile pleasure use provision . Explain that any additional studies or inspections of vintage vehicles are unacceptable. We support tighter restrictions on work use violators...period. Some talking points are included below as well as contact information for representatives. Remember to be polite but firm, and use your own words.

1. If legislators wish to curtail misuse of the antique tags they should go after offenders not the whole hobby. Hobbyists do a great deal of community service and have been afforded the antique tags for over forty years. Current language prohibiting work use gives law enforcement the ability to enforce the statute.
2. The total number of antique registrations in our state is less than 2% of total registrations. They are driven sparingly and are an even smaller percentage of total miles driven within the state.
3. There are NO statistics to prove that antique vehicles are inherently unsafe or less safe than everyday use vehicles which undergo inspections. In fact, Virginia is one of only a few states with inspections.
4. Inspection of antique vehicles is not practical due to many of the following.
a. Modern day standards cannot be applied to antique vehicles. The equipment is not the same.
b. VA state safety inspectors lack the historical technical knowledge to properly disassemble and inspect vintage vehicles.
c. Inspectors do not have all the proper tools necessary to complete a proper inspection on older cars requiring tools no longer available. This would damage vehicles.
d. It is likely these cars would be damaged by the inspectors.
e. The lack of knowledge of old car systems by inspectors could actually cause the malfunction of safety systems after the inspection process, which would increase the legal exposure of inspectors.
f. A problem would be created by requiring some antique tag bearing vehicles to have inspections and other not. Police would have to carry Car Spotter Guides to know which ones were of a certain model year...or they would just pull a lot of folks over to check if they did not see a sticker!

Do not offer a lot of your own solutions other than to say police can stop offenders under the newly proposed and clarified work use prohibition. If you offer too many solutions this supports the rationale for their "further studies". If you wish to include another possible solution you might suggest that DMV not give antique tags to anyone without a daily driver registered as well, preventing use as the only primary vehicle. Again...stop and punish the offenders not everyone.
Thanks for all your help. Have friends, family and coworkers call as well. There is security in numbers. Time is of the essence. This bill will be heard soon. Start phone calls etc. Immediately!!! Send this to your entire club, other clubs, and friends. Again, be polite but firm.
Do not send blanket E-mails or form letters as they have little impact. The individual approach is always better. If you need to find out who your delegate is, or where a Delegate is from you can go to http://legis.state.va.us/ Contact info for the Delegates is below.
Thanks,
Tom Cox
President Southwest Virginia Car Council
Eastern Chairman Legislative Affairs Antique Automobile Club of America

House Transportation Committee Chairman Leo Wardrup
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1083
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelLWardrup@house.state.va.us

Bill Chief patron Delegate Danny Marshall
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1014
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelDMarshall@house.state.va.us

House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1008
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelMGriffith@house.state.va.us

House Transportation committee members:

Delegate Thomas Rust
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1086
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelTRust@house.state.va.us

Delegate William Fralin
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1017
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelWFralin@house.state.va.us

Delegate Joe May
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1033
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelJMay@house.state.va.us

Delegate John Welch
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1021
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelJWelch@house.state.va.us

Delegate Chris Saxman
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1020
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelCSaxman@house.state.va.us

Delegate Thomas Gear
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1091
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelTGear@house.state.va.us

Delegate Dan Bowling
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1003
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelDBowling@house.state.va.us

Delegate Shannon Valentine
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1023
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: delsvalentine@house.state.va.us

Delegate Adam Ebbin
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1049
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelAEbbin@house.state.va.us

Delegate John Cosgrove
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1078
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelJCosgrove@house.state.va.us

Delegate Glenn Oder
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1094
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelGOder@house.state.va.us

Delegate Charles Carrico
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1005
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelCCarrico@house.state.va.us

Delegate Timothy Hugo
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1040
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelTHugo@house.state.va.us

Delegate Edward Scott
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1030
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelEScott@house.state.va.us

Delegate Salvatore Iaquinto
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1084
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelSIaquinto@house.state.va.us

Delegate Robert Whitman
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1099
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelRWittman@house.state.va.us

Delegate Dwight Jones
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1070
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelDJones@house.state.va.us

Delegate Brian Moran
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1046
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelBMoran@house.state.va.us

Delegate Jeion Ward
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1092
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelJWard@house.state.va.us

Delegate Mamye BaCote
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1095
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelMBaCote@house.state.va.us

Delegate David Marsden
General Assembly Building
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, Virginia 23218
Phone: (804) 698-1041
Fax: (804) 786-6310
Email: DelDMarsden@house.state.va.us

PS, Sorry guys, the "BOLD" type did not transfer. I'll fix tonight!! RWB

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I DO see a problem with it, if for no other reason than hobbyists who register, maintain and drive their antique-licensed vehicle per the law are being penalised for the actions of those who are trying to beat the system by sticking antique plates on their clunker that is not and will never be maintained as a collectible vehicle. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

We are also being penalised for the total incompetence of VADMV in administering the antique plate program.

None of my cars would have trouble passing the Virginia safety inspection. However, having to have FIVE of them inspected will substantially increase my cost of ownership. You can bet that once this snake gets its head thru the crack, the next step will be abolishing our personal property tax exemption and any antique-licensed car will be valued for tax purposes at whatever a similar car brought at the fricking Barrett-Jackson auction. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

We've had it good in Virginia up until now, but with the proliferation of junk that VADMV is issuing antique plates for, I can't help but believe things will change. The police and insurance lobbies are very powerful in Richmond and generally whatever they get behind becomes law. Not always good law either. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> as hell!

GLENN and all VIRGINIANS!

Today is the day to make your "calls". I understand they're ignoring e-mails. A few phone calls now will save us a lot of misery later. The two Delegates I called had two pleasant ladies answering the phone, so be friendly in return.

Wayne-Northern Neck Region

I should have said, a table, as in the legislation has been tabled indefinately. Looks like we're safe until at least next year. I've also been informed that the Virginia Car Club Council, along with other groups, are getting together to help setup guidelines for us and the State of Virginia to go by so there's a better understanding of our Antique Car Hobby with the authorities.

Wayne

Virginia Bill to Restrict Antique Vehicles Dead for the Year



Virginia legislation (H.B. 288) that threatened to restrict pleasure driving of antique motor vehicles to a range not more than 50 miles from the owner?s residence has been withdrawn by the bill?s sponsor. The bill also sought to clarify that antique vehicles may not be used for work-related travel, while legislators considered including antique cars in the state?s mandatory annual safety inspection program.

Virginia Delegate Danny Marshall said, ?Thanks for your e mail. I am not trying to hurt the person who has a 1968 Dodge Hemi Cuda, but the person who has a 25+ year old Dodge Dart that the brakes do not work. We will work to make this happen. The bill is off the docket for this year.?

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who worked to ensure that the voices of enthusiasts were heard on this issue. Stay tuned for future updates as this type of legislation will surely resurface.

Congrats Virginians! Just received an email from Hagerty Insurance Legislative Advocate. Best of luck that the bill gets lost and doesn't reappear next year.


Virginia Bill to Restrict Antique Vehicles Dead for the Year

Virginia legislation (H.B. 288) that threatened to restrict pleasure driving of antique motor vehicles to a range not more than 50 miles from the owner?s residence has been withdrawn by the bill?s sponsor. The bill also sought to clarify that antique vehicles may not be used for work-related travel, while legislators considered including antique cars in the state?s mandatory annual safety inspection program.

Virginia Delegate Danny Marshall said, ?Thanks for your e mail. I am not trying to hurt the person who has a 1968 Dodge Hemi Cuda, but the person who has a 25+ year old Dodge Dart that the brakes do not work. We will work to make this happen. The bill is off the docket for this year.?

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who worked to ensure that the voices of enthusiasts were heard on this issue. Stay tuned for future updates as this type of legislation will surely resurface.

"I am not trying to hurt the person who has a 1968 Dodge Hemi Cuda..."

Methinks I need to sit down with Danny. The Mopar contingent here will have their way with him if that gets out!

Anyway- a small victory, but one that we will have to keep on the front burner.

You know, a lot of weird legislation comes from Tidewater and NoVA delegates. Isn't Wardrup the one who's pushing to ban teenage drivers using cell phones, while still allowing grownups (who drive just as stupidly or worse with their cell phone stuck in their ear) to use them? I vote, make cell phone use while driving a vehicle a MOVING VIOLATION! Don't care who it is. Not that I've ever been cut off, run out of the road, passed while signaling/making a left turn etc by inattentive drivers on their cell phones...