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Bill

HF 3865

Authority to operate collector's vehicles modified, and technical changes made.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Meg Luger-Nikolai

HF 3865 expands collector vehicle categories and allows limited, defined use of collector vehicles, with new affidavits and $25 plates for Pioneer, Classic Car, Collector, Street R

Introduction and first reading, referred to Transportation Finance and Policy
#motorvehicles #transportationandtransportationdepartment
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Bill Summary · HF 3865

Summary of HF 3865 (2025-2026) – Minnesota

Purpose and intent

HF 3865 proposes to modify and expand Minnesota’s framework for registering and operating collector’s vehicles. The bill broadens categories and eligibility for collector-related plates (including pioneer, classic car, street rod, and collector/military plates) and adjusts rules around how these vehicles may be taxed, registered, and operated. It also introduces a clarified “collector operation” standard, defining how often and for what purposes collector vehicles may be used.

Key provisions and changes

  • General concept and operation (new Sec. 6)
    Establishes a new overarching rule allowing vehicles registered in the collector classes (subdivisions 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1h, and 168.105) or as collector military vehicles to be operated solely as collector items. Permits activities including club events, exhibitions, tours, parades, and limited weekend operation (Saturday–Sunday, sunrise to sunset).

  • Pioneer plates (Sec. 1)

    • Applies to vehicles manufactured prior to 1936 or restored pioneer vehicles, owned and operated as collectors.
    • Requires an affidavit with owner details, seller, vehicle specifics, VIN, and a designation that the vehicle is a collector item.
    • Registration upon payment of a $25 tax and plate fee; issues a single license plate with “Pioneer” inscribed, no renewal required as long as the vehicle exists in Minnesota.
    • Effective day after final enactment.

  • Classic Car plates (Sec. 2)

    • Applies to vehicles manufactured 1925–1948 designated as classic cars, owned solely as collector items.
    • Similar affidavit requirements, including verification from national standards/guides for “full classic car” status.
    • $25 tax and plate fee; single plate issued with “Classic Car” inscription; no renewal while the vehicle exists in-state.
    • Prohibits commercial vehicles (e.g., hearses, ambulances, trucks) from classic car classification.
    • Effective day after enactment.

  • Collector plate (Sec. 3)

    • For self-propelled vehicles meeting age and rarity criteria (at least 20 model years old, or at least 10 with limited production, and manufactured after 1935; owned solely as collector items).
    • Requires affidavit with owner/seller details, VIN, model/year, and, for rare cases, production quantity.
    • Requires proof of ownership of other regularly plated vehicles.
    • $25 tax and plate fee; single license plate issued; plate bears “Collector” inscription; no renewal while existing in Minnesota.
    • Effective day after enactment.

  • Street Rod plates (Sec. 4)

    • For modernized vehicles pre-1949 or designed to resemble such vehicles; similar affidavit process and ownership of other regular-plate vehicles required.
    • $25 tax and plate fee; single plate issued with “Street Rod” inscription; no renewal; effective day after enactment.

  • Collector military vehicle plates (Sec. 5)

    • For military vehicles meeting age, historical/restoration criteria, owned by a nonprofit for historical/educational purposes.
    • Affidavit with vehicle identifiers; plate issued upon $25 tax and plate fee.
    • Plates bear “Collector” and “Minnesota”; may omit exterior plates if military-number identification is present (with conditions for towing and trailers).
    • Effective day after enactment.

  • Additional definitions (Sec. 6)

    • Codifies operation provisions for collector-class vehicles, including permissible uses and weekend operations.

  • Classic motorcycles (Sec. 7–Sec. 8)

    • Defines a classic motorcycle as 20+ years old, original in appearance, owned as a collector item.
    • Requires affidavit and registration with a $10 registration tax for classic motorcycles; special plates issued.

Who is affected

  • Owners of historic/collector vehicles, including pioneer (pre-1936), classic car (1925–1948), collector, street rod, and collector military vehicles.
  • Collector motorcycle enthusiasts (classic motorcycles) with updated registration requirements.
  • Minnesota vehicle registries and law enforcement administering specialty plates and usage restrictions.
  • Nonprofit organizations owning collector military vehicles.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: the day after final enactment for most sections.
  • Each new or amended subdivision requires an affidavit process, registration tax (typically $25 for most plates; motorcycles use $10 in one section), and issuance of a specialty plate.
  • Plates generally are valid without renewal as long as the vehicle remains in Minnesota.
  • Special cases allow limited operational windows and exemptions (e.g., military vehicles with exterior identification requirements).

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison of current law versus HF 3865 for each vehicle category.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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