Meeting with the Mass. DMV and title division this Wednesday night, Pro Bass Foxboro.

Wed. Night @ Pro Bass, 7:00 PM at Patriots-Foxboro Stadium the DMV is meeting with MAC and all other area auto clubs to air out the difficulties in the new STREET ROD and CUSTOM CAR registration and title process.
There are many problems with the new system and if you ask 3 DMV people your questions they DO NOT seem to have matching answers.

Hopefully we can all share input from both sides of the table and learn something about this new situation.

If you want to stand by and do nothing you could be off the road next month!
Right now you may have a chance to keep driving you rod or custom if you appear and speak up.

You can check the MAC web site for lotsa details. http://www.massautoclubs.org/

 

There are about 299 "MAAC" web sites on googel.

Can you post a link or the full name please.

Thanks, Roger

 

Here is the link, but I didn't see info on the Bass Pro meeting ??? Nothing on the home pg. or the events list ??? Maybe e-mail them directly.
http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/maynardaac/index.html

 

Heres a link to the website, but I couldn't find info about the meeting.

http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/maynardaac/

 

http://www.massautoclubs.org/

At the bottom of their page is more information on the meeting set up with the Mass. DOT regarding titling and registering customs.

 

Today I spoke with a gentleman in the Mass DOT title and registration section
He does recognize serious issues with the new STREET ROD TITLING RULES.
He went on to say that it was good intention legislation that too many people got their fingers into and it has spun out of control.
He admits they have a real monster at hand now.
Good legislation gone bad in Massachusetts AGAIN.
A lot of people, myself too, are stuck now with illegally registerd rods and customs or we have vehicles nearing completion that will never turn a wheel outside our driveways.
The Wednesday night meeting is our chance to maybe sort out some of this mess (hopefully).
Remember this too......You paid law makers, and you backed certain auto clubs plus we encouraged SEMA all the way on this.
Those same people probably wont help us this time, it's our turn now.

 

Is this going to be an open forum, Q&A style? Or is it going to be a "this is how it is now, good luck" session ?

I think I will still be in attendance!

 

DMV is there to answer our qustions and attempt to make a cleaner situation out of it.
We'll see.........

 

Its definitely interesting how many guys fought tooth and nail to get this legislation passed and now its only bitting us in the tooshie...
hopefully they will all get the message and attend this meeting...

Also, no offense to the Factory Five guys, But WE as backyard builders and small business build shops really need to speak up, not the big kit car guys who this bill was inititally intended for!!

 

I hope some of you guys that can go can take some notes on stuff to pass on to those who can't attend. It would be greatly appreciated. Maybe they'll have some info pamphlets or something ???

 

Attending........

 

I will be there with gripes, questions, and heavy armor.

 

Anyone attending the meeting should print this and ask questions about it and write down the answers.

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2010

<FORM method=post action=/Laws/SessionLaws/Redirect/Acts/2010><INPUT id=typeCode value=Acts type=hidden name=typeCode> Jump to: <SELECT id=yearCode name=yearCode><OPTION value=2012>2012</OPTION> <OPTION value=2011>2011</OPTION> <OPTION selected value=2010>2010</OPTION> <OPTION value=2009>2009</OPTION> <OPTION value=2008>2008</OPTION> <OPTION value=2007>2007</OPTION> <OPTION value=2006>2006</OPTION> <OPTION value=2005>2005</OPTION> <OPTION value=2004>2004</OPTION> <OPTION value=2003>2003</OPTION> <OPTION value=2002>2002</OPTION> <OPTION value=2001>2001</OPTION> <OPTION value=2000>2000</OPTION> <OPTION value=1999>1999</OPTION> <OPTION value=1998>1998</OPTION> <OPTION value=1997>1997</OPTION></SELECT> </FORM>
CHAPTER 311 AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE REGISTRATION AND INSPECTION OF STREET RODS AND CUSTOM VEHICLES.

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<!--end Hierarchy-->Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:
SECTION 1. Chapter 90 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2G the following 2 sections:-
Section 2H. (a) For purposes of this section, section 2I and section 33, the following words shall, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, have the following meanings:-
&#8220;Custom vehicle&#8221;, a motor vehicle for which the year of manufacture is after 1948, for which the model year is at least 25 years old and that has been altered from the manufacturer&#8217;s original design or has a body constructed, in whole or in part, from non-original materials.
&#8220;Model year&#8221;, the model year indicated on a motor vehicle&#8217;s certificate of origin or, if there is no such certificate, the model year the body of such vehicle most closely resembles.
&#8220;Replica vehicle&#8221;, a motor vehicle constructed or assembled by a non-manufacturer from new or used parts that, when assembled, replicates an earlier year, make and model vehicle.
&#8220;Specially-constructed vehicle&#8221;, a motor vehicle reconstructed or assembled by a non-manufacturer from new or used parts, the exterior of which does not replicate or resemble any other manufactured vehicle.
&#8220;Street rod&#8221;, a motor vehicle for which the year of manufacture is prior to 1949, and which has been altered from the manufacturer&#8217;s original design or has a body constructed from non-original materials.
(b) The registrar shall issue certificates of registration and number plates for street rods, replica vehicles, specially-constructed vehicles and custom vehicles in accordance with this section. The registrar may assign an appropriate registration plate to a custom vehicle, replica vehicle, specially-constructed vehicle or street rod based upon the vehicle&#8217;s intended use and the registration requirements under 540 CMR 2.05.
(c) Street rods, replica vehicles, specially-constructed vehicles and custom vehicles shall not be considered antique motor cars and shall not be eligible for registration pursuant to section 6A.
(d) Replica vehicles shall be titled as the year in which the vehicle was built and the make, model and year of the vehicle that is intended to be replicated. A label of "Replica" shall be applied to the title and registration card. Custom vehicles and street rods shall be titled as the year in which the vehicle was built and an appropriate description of the vehicle including make, model and model year; provided, however, that the manufacturer's name shall continue to be used as the make with a label of &#8220;street rod&#8221; or &#8220;custom vehicle&#8221; applied to the title and registration card. Specially-constructed vehicles shall be titled and registered showing the make as &#8220;specially constructed&#8221; and the year the vehicle was built shall be the vehicle model year.
Section 2I. (a) The registrar, prior to the initial registration of a custom vehicle, replica vehicle, specially-constructed vehicle or street rod, may require such vehicle to undergo a salvage-type inspection at a facility to be determined by the registrar to ensure that stolen parts have not been included in the vehicle.
(b) The registrar, prior to the initial registration of a custom vehicle, replica vehicle, specially-constructed vehicle or street rod, may require such vehicle to obtain a state-assigned vehicle identification number, unless the registrar is satisfied that there is a clearly visible state-assigned vehicle identification number that was previously assigned by the commonwealth or another state.
(c) The registrar may refuse to register or may revoke the registration of a custom vehicle, replica vehicle, specially constructed vehicle or street rod, originally built by its manufacturer as a model year 1966 or later vehicle, unless such vehicle is equipped with operable safety belts for all passenger positions.
(d) The registrar may refuse to register or may revoke the registration of a custom vehicle, replica vehicle, specially constructed vehicle or street rod if the registrar determines that the original manufacturer had installed an air bag or air bags in the vehicle and the current version of the vehicle does not contain such air bag or air bags.
SECTION 2. Section 33 of said chapter 90, as appearing in the 2008 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-
(37) For the registration of every street rod, replica vehicle, specially constructed vehicle or custom vehicle, as defined in section 2H consistent with the vehicle&#8217;s intended use and the requirements of 540 CMR 2.05.
SECTION 3. Subsection (b) of section 142M of chapter 111 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the third paragraph the following paragraph:-
Street rods and custom vehicles, as defined and registered pursuant to section 2H of chapter 90, shall receive an emissions waiver certificate. Specially constructed vehicles and replica vehicles, as defined and registered pursuant to said section 2H of said chapter 90, and registered on or before April 30, 2012, shall receive an emissions waiver certificate. Specially constructed vehicles and replica vehicles, as so defined, registered after April 30, 2012 shall be subject to emission control requirements based on the model year and configuration of the engine installed in the specially constructed or replica vehicle, whether the engine is an original equipment manufacturer&#8217;s production engine, rebuilt engine or crate engine. Regulations relative to emissions compliance for replica or specially constructed vehicles registered after April 30, 2012 may establish maximum limits on the annual number of vehicle miles traveled by these vehicles; provided, however, that any such limit set, shall not be set at less than 3,000 miles per year. If the model year of the engine installed in the specially constructed or replica vehicle requires an onboard diagnostic system, the vehicle shall be subject to an onboard diagnostic system emissions test applicable to the certified configuration, including any exclusions or exemptions otherwise granted to that certified configuration.
SECTION 4. This act shall take effect on April 30, 2011.

Approved, August 19, 2010.​

 

it seems if you have a factory engine and have not changed to a s10 frame of the likes you should be able to title and register your vehicle without any problems. At what point does your car or truck become a hot rod or specially constructed vehicle? I changed out my gas tank located in the cab of the truck and relocated it into the back under the bed for safety, that would be absurd to consider it a hot rod or specially constructed vehicle

 

between the gun laws and now this I'm strongly considering selling my place and moving to NH or FL

 

ugh welcome back to mass for me, yeah gonna have to go check that out... I'd be stupid not to... anyone wanna bring a digital camera to record it for the folks that can't make it?

 

I will be on the road. But you can bet, the end result will be our excise go up

 

These people are politicians and numbers count. The more people that you get get at that meeting,the more impact you will have. Good luck.

 

For anyone attending the meeting Wed., you could ask any politicians present if they ever thought how much this is going to cost the state in lost revenue.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
<o></o>
If only 200 cars do not get registered this year, at a value of between $20,000 and $70,000, lost sales tax would be $125,000 to 437,500. Add to that the Registration fees of $10,000 and excise taxes, the figure could be over a half a million dollars. What politician wants to be responsible for that?<o></o>
<o> </o>
Ask the enviromental folks if all of the Hot rods and customs that drive a few days a week in the summer, come any where near producing the pollutants of just the Hummers on the Ma. Highway.<o></o>
<o> </o>
Most well tuned hotrods do not need smog pumps and reburners to be clean.

 

I wonder were the line will be drawn between antique and custom??? I am in the middle of building a 29 AV8 CCPU Full fendered and mostly 30's and 40's parts. running a Flathead motor. I wonder if this will fall under custom . or are they going after the Rat rods and full customs???

 

The thing that scares me is a reassingment of existing titles! This sounds like my '37 powered '31 roadster would be reassingned a salvage title as a street rod or replica vehicle! this in turn would make its resale value to another state the equivalent to a fiero powered lamborghini (remember those?)

reekie6~sounds like your project and many others are exactly what the DMV has down their barrel...

 

Please keep this thread going after the meeting and let us all know what is going on. Wife is from MA and wants to move back. I just want the politicians to leave me the hell alone.

 

What will this do to a car thats been on the road longer then 5 years.Mines been on the road 8 years and has a real 32 ford title and numbers.

 

I've got to get this off my chest toninght.
Another full blown rant to bore you with Mass DMV issues.
Today at lunch time I get a call from the Mass. State Police. The kindly and sympathetic captain informed me I could proceed ahead for street rod inspection at the State Salvage Unit ???? (I know, sounds ominous) then maybe they'd issue a new longer digit VIN that the state's inefficient, ass backward software can decipherer.
I do have a correct 47 Ford VIN and a clean Arizona title I remind him.
He apologetically tells me that Mass. DOT wont recognize it.
So with another new form in my hand and 50 more buck clenched in my fist off to the DMV in Revere to get a receipt to pay for the inspection
I wait in the DMV line one hour and forty five minutes.
I get called up and the girl has no clue about the form the State Police gave me to get receipted.
Girl number 2 same story, NO CLUE.
Finally I get a supervisor. You guessed it. She too had never see one like this so she calls the head of title and the boss of the entire DMV.
It's 4:14 PM, they wont answer their phones.
Finally supervisor #2 get some live help from someone else and they finally grab my cash, give me a receipt and I'm like a vapor trail out of that joint.
It's Disgusting!!!!!!
No one has any training in the DMV on the new street rod titling laws. They can cite rules and regulations (Thanks SEMA!) but they don't have the brains or training to help the TAX PAYING MOTORIST like me stuck in the long line of red tape.
Ohh, incidental no title yet.
Gotta pay another $25 for the inspection ( after the $50 for the request form) then watch some statie rip off my real FoMoCo VIN TAG, stick some creepy foil sticker that their software can read, then pay more money to get a state mandated safety inspection plus pay more money again to switch from the ANTIQUE VANITY PLATE I currently have then to move onto a new Mass. mandated street rod plate.
Heres the rub. The office in Revere doesn't have those plates and Bob the head of title tells me no one has thought to make plates yet for street rods.
I guess we'll just have to make our own with cardboard and crayons at this point.
The DMV cant answer my question on types of plates except to say " We don't have plates for your car sir, and we don't know what else to give you".
How much more money will that cost me?

 

I wish some Mass DOT employees would read this rant.
Do you think it might set in to them..... that the system is FLAWED?

 

Hi 2many I have a?

Why is the 47 Ford being titled as a street rod?

Is this because of a engine or frame change or both?

Would you still have a VIN digit problem if you were not titling/reg as a street rod?

Thanks...Hope this gets settled soon.

PS... What about us that don't run fenders are we now considered a "street rod"?

What a nightmare this might become.

 

The Mass DOT wants to title it as a street rod because it's had an engine swap and other updates
If I had attempted to title it as a virgin stocker and not allowed myself to be led on by their prying questions, such as why does it only have 180 miles and "Is it a kit car?" or try "Whadya mean, it's got an automatic transmission?" I'd probably slipped it by them.
But...........they'll catch you later at the Mass state safety inspection.
It's an automatic fail sticker for you then the battle is on.
See, they have these trick loaded questions to ask you.
They call that entrapment I belive.
I'll let you know later in the year when I've got to renew my tags and registration on my hiboy deuce.
It'll be another turn of the screw thru my soul.

 

Well, You've got my sympathy. I hope you guys can get some of that straightened out. I live over in NY where it is quite rod friendly. Amazing how two bordering states can be so different. My grandaughter goes to school in MA and that system is just as hosed up as the DMV.