SEMA announces important California legislation - a vehicle registration amnesty program that will be in effect from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.
California has always been its own worst enemy in terms of motor vehicle legislation. Through the years, legislation has become more and more complex, causing great levels of confusion at both the state and local levels.
One area of confusion has always been vehicle registration for odd-duck vehicles like street rods, custom home-built cars, rebodied rides, aftermarket bodies, and more. Out of fear of prosecution or vehicle impoundment, vehicle owners have had to keep a low profile or register a vehicle in another state. The State of California estimates there are roughly 70,000 vehicles that fall into this description. The state would like to account for them, asking owners to properly register them.
Thanks to SEMA's efforts in Sacramento, an amnesty law has been passed that will require the Department of Motor Vehicles to develop and administer a vehicle registration program that will be in effect from January 1, 2010 to the end of 2010. This program will apply to vehicles that were previously registered or classified incorrectly. Under this temporary law, the Department of Motor Vehicles would be required to grant amnesty from prosecution to a vehicle owner if certain conditions are met, including the owner filing a completed application with the department.
For more information, you are encouraged to contact the Specialty Equipment Market Association at www.sema.org.