Sam Memmolo
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URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT Click here for Feb 8, Update Virginia Legislators Threaten Additional Requirements for Antique Vehicle Owners As you are aware, legislation (H.B. 288) has been introduced in the Virginia State Legislature that would amend the state’s current law defining antique motor vehicles to restrict pleasure driving of these vehicles to a range not more than 50 miles from the owner’s residence. The bill would also clarify that these vehicles may not be used for any work-related travel. Under current Virginia law, use of antique vehicles is strictly limited to club activities, exhibitions, tours and parades and to test operation, obtain repairs or maintenance and pleasure driving up to 250 miles from the owner’s residence. While legislators have indicated a recent willingness to retain the 250 mile provision, they are now considering including antique cars in the state’s mandatory annual safety inspection program, claiming that many of the cars are unsafe “junkers.” H.B. 288 will soon be considered by the Virginia House Transportation Committee. Urge You to Contact Transportation Committee Chairman Leo Wardrup and Bill Sponsor Danny Marshall (Contact Information Below) to Voice Your Opposition to H.B. 288
The total number of antique registrations in Virginia is less than 2% of total registrations. There are no statistics indicating that antique vehicles are unsafe. Modern inspection standards cannot be applied to antique vehicles; state safety inspectors lack the technical knowledge to properly disassemble and inspect vintage vehicles; inspectors do not have all the proper tools necessary to complete a proper inspection. DON’T DELAY! Please contact Virginia Delegates Leo Wardrup and Danny Marshall immediately by phone or e-mail to voice your opposition to H.B. 288. Please e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org Delegate Leo C. Wardrup, Jr. Delegate Danny Marshall
URGENT LEGISLATIVE ALERT (FINAL UPDATE) 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pleasure driving of antique motor vehicles to a range not more than 50 miles from the owner’s residence has been withdrawn by the bill’s sponsor.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, claiming that many are unsafe “junkers.” In a message to SEMA, 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 to all the Virginia car clubs and councils, individual enthusiasts and members of the SEMA business community who worked so tirelessly to derail this bill. As the message from Delegate Marshall indicates, we will need to be equally vigilant next year to avert unnecessary and unfair changes to the Virginia antique statute.
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In its
current form, H.B. 288 will deny Virginia citizens the opportunity to enjoy the
occasional long-range pleasure drive in their antique vehicles and disregards
the immeasurable time and money antique vehicle owners invest in ensuring the
safety of their cars. 
Legislators should target abusers of benefits provided by antique registration
and not attack the entire old car hobby.