Calling all Georgia Seven owners (and enthusiasts)!

[athens7]

Georgia has quietly become the only state in the Union to outlaw (by refusing to issue titles for) all kit cars, custom motorcycles, and any other cars that aren't OEM, fully EPA, NHTSA, & DOT certified :banghead: . Legislation is currently making its way through the Georgia House of Representatives to address this injustice. Please email or phone your Senator or Representative and ask them to support our right to own & drive specialty automobiles and motorcycles! You can find your representatives at:

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/

[JBH]

Wow...that sucks. I wonder what is driving that legislation?

 

Will they "grandfather" the cars already built and titled in GA? Will they recognize existing titles in other states?

[weconway]

This is news to me, and I've read all I can on the LocostUSA forum.

 

If there's specific legislation going through to make it easier to put a locost or kit car on the road, let's cite it so we can call our Reps with specific info.

 

That would suck for my locost build to get killed before I ever weld my first tube!

 

Edit - Here's the proposed legislation - House 950

[scannon]

If there's specific legislation going through to make it easier to put a locost or kit car on the road, let's cite it so we can call our Reps with specific info.

 

A new Colorado law went into effect on July 1, 2007 that exempts kit cars from state emissions checking.

 

:7fume:

[11Budlite]

"A new Colorado law went into effect on July 1, 2007 that exempts kit cars from state emissions checking."

 

We had the same law go into effect in Connecticut on the same date!

 

Bruce :7drive:

[sporqster]

You've got my attention - but either I lack the attention span, time and/or legal acumen to decypher that bill linked - what really is going on here?!? I've got my Locost titled as an ASPT (assembled from parts) in GA - and figured that if I was to build another one I would go the same route. Is this legislation changing anything for me or people like me?!?

[Al N.]

NJ law has apparently changed too...but my car is grandfathered. Going forward, I think you'd have get a pre-titled car from out of state....prob best if registered as old Lotus or other type of car.

[sporqster]

From how I read this thread: at LocostUSA this bill just clears up a contradiction in the existing law and officially legalizes kit cars... I'm still confused as to if I'm supposed to tell my rep to be for this or against this?!? For it, right?

[slngsht]

NJ law has apparently changed too...but my car is grandfathered. Going forward, I think you'd have get a pre-titled car from out of state....prob best if registered as old Lotus or other type of car.

 

1979 Rotus :thumbs:

 

Even though my Rotus may not have any original parts left, it will ALWAYS be a 79 Rotus

[athens7]

The bill is in response to a policy change by the Georgia Department of Revenue, who oversees DMVS. This policy, according to my representative, is the result of fears of litigation against Revenue if someone is injured or killed in an accident involving one of our non federally compliant cars. It WILL apply to previously titled cars coming from other states as well, that is to say, you will NOT be able to get a Georgia title for a car previously titled in another state, unless this bill is passed. So, we are in FAVOR of passage of this legislation, which should also eliminate the tendency of Georgia DMVS to try to put rebuilt brands on the titles to kit cars.

 

My last car was a 2003 Beck 550 Spyder; it was titled in California as SPCN (special construction-a Georgia DMVS story for another day), then re-titled in Georgia with a 'special construction' brand (after initally getting a 'rebuilt' brand, in spite of promises to the contrary). I had even better paperwork this time, including MCO's for the car and the engine, as well as assembly paperwork. I was told by the supervisor of the relevant DMVS section that, under the old rules, my paperwork was without flaw, but, due to the new policy, they would not issue a title for my car. In the absence of specific legislation, our hobby's continued existence in Georgia is up to the whim of non-elected bureaucrats and lawyers.

[eVox]

An explanation of HB950:

 

An 'assembled motor vehicle" is

-A vehicle manufactured from a manufacturer´s kit or fabricated parts, including replicas and original designs by an owner or third party

-A new vehicle and consists of a prefab body, chassis, and drive train

-Homemade and not mass produced

-NOT excluded from emissions requirements

-is in compliance with chapter 8 of Title 40 (required equipment, see below)

-should comply with federal safety standards

 

An inspection should be be held to establish:

-the existance of a manufacturers certificate of origin OR other verifiable documentation of purchase of all major components

-the assembled vehicle complies with ch8 of title 40 (see below)

-it passes emissions

-The inspection IS NOT a safety inspection

 

The department will charge a $260 inspection fee

 

 

Chapter 8 of title 40 explains required equipment. Summarized below:

 

 

cannot drag on ground

must be safe to operate on highways

must have headlights (40-8-21)

at least 2 headlights, no more than 4, must have aiming pads

at least one taillight (no more than 60 inches up, no less than 20") (40-8-23)

2 reflectors (40-8-24)

at least 1 brake light, visible from up to 300' (40-8-26)

40-8-29 for spotlights, foglights

40-8-30 for headlight specifics

all light colors in accordance with SAE

two braking systems (independent of each other..so parking and hydraulic)

a reasonable horn (40-8-70)

exhaust system required, flexable pipe prohibited, must exit outside passenger compartment, nothing exposed so individual entering or leaving may be burned, muffler may not cause excessive or unusual noise (8-40-71)

should have a rearview mirror, not definite (40-8-72)

the windshield should have a method of clearing rain/snow that is operated or controlled by the driver (40-8-73)

vehicle should have tires

should have safety belts, must be approved under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208

glass must be safety glazed (40-8-78)

must have all emissions equipment (40-8-130)

[7evin]

Got it, Will contact those worthless scoundrels about this issue today.

 

Thanks for the alert and the clarification

 

Cheers

Kevin

http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/upload/278022317_g34.gif

 

[athens7]

HB 950 passed the full House yesterday by a vote of 159 for, 0 against:hurray:. It now goes to the Senate; if approved, our right to title assembled cars and custom motorcycles will be restored. Thanks to all who supported this legislation through the House. We now need to make our Senators aware of our support for this bill. Please contact your state Senator and keep attention on HB 950. We're not far from preserving our hobby in the Peach State!