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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT: Michael
J. Herzing |
State Rep. Dan Surra |
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Surra wants to make Pa. inspection law friendlier to custom car enthusiasts
HARRISBURG, July 11 – State Rep. Dan Surra said he is preparing to introduce legislation that would help thousands of custom-car enthusiasts continue their hobby while avoiding the additional costs that many face because of new enhanced inspection requirements in Pennsylvania.
“The cost of these inspections could add up to thousands of dollars for many custom-car and hot-rod enthusiasts, even though they rarely take their cars on the road,” Surra said. “There are instances where enhanced inspection requirements are appropriate for owner safety and public safety, but in the case of most custom cars, they are simply an unnecessary expense.”
On Jan. 1, new inspection requirements went into effect in Pennsylvania for reconstructed, specially constructed and modified vehicles. These cars are required to pass an enhanced inspection performed by only about 300 specialty inspectors across the state. The special inspections cost more than regular automobile inspections -- in some cases several hundred dollars -- and they must be repeated every time a significant change is made to a car.
Surra said while enhanced inspection requirements are appropriate for some modified vehicles -- those rebuilt and put back on the road after crash damage, flood damage or theft, for example -- enhanced inspections are not necessary for collectibles, street rods and other custom-built cars.
Surra’s legislation would create a new “show car” inspection classification that would apply to modified or custom-built cars that are driven less than 5,000 miles a year and are used primarily for transportation to and from repair facilities, parades, car shows and similar activities. Owners could obtain special registration for these vehicles, which would exempt them from the enhanced inspection requirements. Instead, these cars would be required to undergo the 23-point safety inspection currently recommended by the National Street Rod Association. NSRA offers these inspections free at hundreds of events across the country.
“This would ensure these cars are safe for the limited time they are on the highway while allowing their owners to avoid the expense of an enhanced inspection regime that simply isn’t necessary,” Surra said. “Constructing and showing custom cars is an exciting hobby enjoyed by thousands of people in Pennsylvania. My legislation would allow many of these enthusiasts to continue enjoying this pastime without bearing the financial burden of expensive and needless inspections.”
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