<?xml version="1.0"?>
<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>66679</law_id><section_number>46.2-734</section_number><catch_line>Reconstructed and specially constructed vehicles; inspection requirements; storage of unlicensed vehicles; use</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>46.2-755</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="II">Titling, Registration and Licensure</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="6">Titling and Registration of Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="10">Special License Plates</unit></structure><text>
						<section id="A"><p><span class="prefix-number">A.</span> On receipt of an application therefor and written <span class="dictionary">evidence</span> that the applicant is a <span class="dictionary">hobbyist</span> and is registering a reconstructed or <span class="dictionary">specially constructed vehicle</span> built, reconstructed, restored, preserved, and maintained for historic or hobby interest, the <span class="dictionary">Commissioner</span> shall <span class="dictionary">issue</span> to the applicant one special <span class="dictionary">license plate</span>, which shall be mounted on the rear of the vehicle.
			For the purposes of this section, &#x201C;<span class="dictionary">hobbyist</span>&#x201D; means the <span class="dictionary">owner</span> of one or more reconstructed or <span class="dictionary">specially constructed vehicles</span> who collects, purchases, acquires, trades, or disposes of reconstructed or <span class="dictionary">specially constructed vehicles</span> or parts thereof for his own use in <span class="dictionary">order</span> to build, reconstruct, restore, preserve, and maintain a reconstructed or <span class="dictionary">specially constructed vehicle</span> for historic or hobby interest. <a id="paragraph-241861" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-734/#A"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="B"><p><span class="prefix-number">B.</span> These vehicles shall be titled according to their chassis numbers or, if no chassis number exists, then by their motor serial numbers. The vehicles shall meet inspection requirements applicable to the model year shown on the registration certificate. <a id="paragraph-241862" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-734/#B"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="C"><p><span class="prefix-number">C.</span> A <span class="dictionary">hobbyist</span> may store unlicensed, operable or inoperable, vehicles on his property provided the vehicles and the outdoor storage area are maintained in such a manner that they do not constitute a health hazard and are screened from ordinary public view by a fence, rapidly growing trees, shrubbery, billboards or other appropriate means. The <span class="dictionary">hobbyist</span> shall, however, not be exempt from local zoning <span class="dictionary">ordinances</span> governing the storage of these vehicles. <a id="paragraph-241863" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-734/#C"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="D"><p><span class="prefix-number">D.</span> Vehicles registered under this section shall not be used for general transportation purposes, including but not limited to daily travel to and from the <span class="dictionary">owner</span>&#x2019;s place of employment, but shall only be used (i) for participation in <span class="dictionary">hobbyist</span> vehicle exhibits and similar limited-use events and (ii) on the <span class="dictionary"><span class="dictionary">highways</span></span> of the Commonwealth for the purpose of testing their operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, and transportation to and from events as described in this subsection. <a id="paragraph-241864" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/46.2-734/#D"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>1979, c. 159, &#xA7; 46.1-53.1; 1989, c. 727; 2004, c. 678.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
