Subsection 222-1-170-50 - CUSTOM VEHICLES AND STREET RODS1. GENERAL A. All parts of all vehicles must comply with all laws and rules pertaining to motor vehicle inspections, other than the exemptions noted in this section.B. Inspection Technicians must examine custom vehicles and street rods for quality of workmanship, integrity of the vehicle components, and the vehicle geometry. If the Inspection Technician believes, based upon training and experience, that the strength or safety of any component of a street rod or custom vehicle is insufficient, they must not issue an inspection sticker.2. REGULATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS FOR CUSTOM VEHICLESA. Glazing: (1) The windshield must be of approved safety glass.(2) The glazing must allow the operator a clear and undistorted view directly ahead and to the right and left of the axis of the vehicle. The vertical height of the windshield must be at least 7 inches.(3) if the body of the custom vehicle was originally constructed without rear windows, then rear windows are not required.(4) A custom vehicle may be modified to remove the rear window. If the rear window is removed, there must be a sufficient number of mirrors to afford a clear view to the sides and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle shall not be inspected if the rear window is removed and not replaced with material to block the rear window opening.(5) Custom vehicles are not required to have sun visors, but if they are present, they must be secure and able to stay in the upright position when not in use.B. Exhaust System (1) A custom vehicle shall be equipped with an exhaust system that is free of leaks including the exhaust manifolds (including headers), the exhaust manifold(s), head pipe, muffler(s) and the tail piping.
(2) Exhaust systems shall discharge exhaust fumes at a location to the rear of the vehicle body or direct the exhaust fumes outward from the side of the vehicle body at a location rearward of any operable side windows.(3) No part of the exhaust system shall pass through any part of the vehicle that is used as a passenger-carrying compartment.C. Body and Structure (1) Bumpers - Custom vehicles are exempt from bumper requirements. If a custom vehicle is equipped with a bumper it must be securely attached and so constructed that it does not pose a safety hazard to occupants, pedestrians, cyclists or other vehicles.(2) Fenders - Custom vehicles must be equipped with fenders or fender and extensions to provide coverage of the exposed tire tread.(3) Floor Pan - A floor pan must be in sound condition and completely free of cracks, holes, open seams, or other openings that would allow exhaust fumes to enter the passenger or operator compartments.(4) Gas Tank - Gas tanks must be of the type originally manufactured as a motor vehicle gas tank.(5) Rear Engine Driven Vehicles - Rear engine driven vehicles must have metal or fiberglass shrouds covering exposed exhaust pipes and drive belts.(6) Windshield Wipers: Custom vehicles are exempt from sections 170(8)(A)(1) -(7) of this Chapter regarding windshield wipers. However, a custom vehicle must have adequate windshield wiper(s) to effectively clear the windshield, and the wipers must be working properly.(7) Custom vehicles are exempt from the battery location requirement under section 170(5)(A), provided that the battery is properly secured and adequately vented.D. Tires and Suspensions (1) Custom vehicles are exempt from the portions of this Chapter regarding tires, except that no tire may contact any portion of the body, the steering components, or the frame during normal vehicle operations. All tires must be DOT approved and must fit entirely within the body or fenders of the vehicle so that no portion of the tire tread is exposed. Tires must meet the requirements in Title 29-A Section 1917 (see supplement).(2) Custom vehicles are exempt from the portions of this Chapter regarding minimum frame height requirements, but a custom vehicle must meet the following standard regarding vehicle height: i. The scrub line of the vehicle shall not be lower than three (3) inches from a level surface.ii. No portion of a vehicle component may extend below the scrub line. This includes any portion of the suspension system; exhaust system, frame, hoses or other part except body trim or molding.iii. For purposes of measurement, the scrub line must be measured with the vehicle on a flat level surface, with full weight resting on the tires. The scrub line may be measured using any two tires.3. REGULATIONS AND EXEMPTIONS FOR STREET RODS A. A street rod engine must be front-mounted, unless the vehicle was originally manufactured with a rear engine.B. Glazing: (1) The windshield must be of approved safety glass.(2) The glazing must allow the operator a clear and undistorted view directly ahead and to the right and left of the axis of the vehicle. The vertical height of the windshield must be at least 7 inches(3) If the body of the street rod was originally constructed without rear windows, then rear windows are not required.(4) A street rod may be modified to remove the rear window. If the rear window is removed, there must be a sufficient number of mirrors to afford a clear view to the sides and rear of the vehicle. The vehicle shall not be inspected if the rear window is removed and not replaced with material to block the rear window opening.(5) Street rods are not required to have sun visors, but if they are present, they must be secure and able to stay in the upright position when not in use.C. Exhaust System (1) A street rod shall be equipped with an exhaust system that is intact and that does not have any leaks. The exhaust system includes the exhaust manifolds (including headers), exhaust manifold(s), head pipe, muffler(s) and the tail piping.(2) Exhaust systems shall discharge exhaust fumes at a location to the rear of the vehicle body or direct the exhaust fumes outward from the side of the vehicle body at a location rearward of any operable side windows.(3) No part of the exhaust system shall pass through any part of the vehicle that is used as a passenger-carrying compartment.D. Body(1) Bumpers: Street rods are exempt from the requirement to have bumpers.(2) Fenders: Street rods are exempt from the requirement to have fenders.(3) Floor Pan; Street rods must have a floor pan that is solid and completely free of cracks, holes, open seams, or other openings that would allow exhaust fumes to enter the passenger compartment.(4) Gas Tank; Gas tanks must be of the type originally manufactured as a motor vehicle gas tank.(5) Rear Engine Driven Vehicles; Rear engine driven vehicles must have metal or fiberglass shrouds covering exposed exhaust pipes and drive belts.(6) Frame heights; Street rods are exempt from the minimum frame height requirements.(7) Windshield Wipers: Street Rods are exempt from sections 170(8)(A)(1) -(7) of this Chapter regarding windshield wipers. However, a Street Rod must have adequate windshield wiper(s) to effectively clear the windshield, and the wipers must be working properly.(8) Hoods: Street Rods are exempt from having hoods.(9) Street Rods are exempt from the battery location requirement under section 170(5)(A), provided that the battery is properly secured and adequately vented.E. Tires 1) Street Rods are exempt from the portions of this Chapter regarding tires, except that no tire may contact any portion of the body, the steering components, or the frame during normal vehicle operations. All tires must be DOT approved. Tires must meet the requirements in Title 29-A Section 1917 (see supplement). C.M.R. 16, 222, ch. 1, § 222-1-170, subsec. 222-1-170-50