UtahH.B. 222026 General SessionHouseWALLET

Vintage Vehicle Amendments

Sponsored By: Norman K Thurston (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Emissions ControlState Tax CommissionRevenue and TaxationLicense PlatesMotor VehiclesTransportationVehicle RegistrationDivision of Motor Vehicles

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 4 costs, 4 mixed.

False emissions addresses risk $1,000 penalty

Beginning October 1, 2026, counties may investigate registrations outside an owner’s true home county that seek to avoid emissions testing. This includes attempted registrations. A county may impose a $1,000 civil penalty after finding that the owner used a false or improper address for that purpose.

Classic vehicles get road-use exceptions

Beginning October 1, 2026, properly registered classics may use Utah roads for qualifying vehicle events, parades, and exhibition tours. Minimum-speed rules, including posted minimums and rules against impeding traffic, do not apply during qualifying meeting and tour trips. These trips cannot create a hazard or public nuisance. Vehicles with approved original-issue plates receive classic exemptions only when they meet the classic vehicle definition.

More vehicles skip county emissions tests

Beginning October 1, 2026, vehicles from model year 1995 or earlier are exempt from county emissions inspections. Vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of at least 14,001 pounds are also exempt. Counties must verify vehicles that lack OBD-II onboard testing technology and cannot be tested for reasons unrelated to emissions-equipment tampering, removal, or modification. After county verification and state recording of the vehicle identification number, those vehicles receive a permanent exemption. The state may remove it for fraudulent verification or if the vehicle later gains compliant OBD-II technology.

Registration protection for certain diesel owners

Beginning October 1, 2026, counties cannot deny registration solely over covered emissions devices or modifications in specified Mercedes-Benz and Freightliner vehicles. The protection covers only the models and years listed in law. It applies to devices addressed by the Mercedes-Benz consent decree or EPA-approved vehicle modifications, not unrelated reasons for denial.

Equipment relief for classic vehicle owners

Beginning October 1, 2026, properly registered classics are exempt from minimum safety-equipment standards when original equipment works well. Replacement equipment must be equally or more efficient and in good working order. Operation cannot create a hazard or public nuisance. Registered classics, qualifying pre-1935 American-made vehicles, and custom vehicles also get a rear-wheel mudguard exemption in fair weather on well-maintained, hard-surfaced roads.

Farm pickups get revised emissions exemption

Beginning October 1, 2026, farm pickups rated at 14,000 pounds or less can qualify for a county emissions-inspection exemption. The owner must submit a signed statement to the county. The truck must serve a farm operator on land qualifying for agricultural use and carry only farm products or supplies for farm operations. The prior farm-truck exemption used a minimum weight rating of 12,001 pounds.

New residents must register classic vehicles

Beginning October 1, 2026, Utah’s vehicle registration rules cover classic vehicles in place of the prior vintage wording. Owners establishing Utah residency must register within 60 days unless a registration exemption applies. This provision does not set the registration fee.

Vintage plate options and contribution change

Beginning October 1, 2026, vintage vehicles are removed as a listed special group license plate category. The law also ends the historical support plate contribution exemption for vintage vehicle applicants. Those applicants must pay the $25 contribution to obtain that plate. The $25 amount applies beginning July 1, 2025; the exemption ends later.

Utah expands residency for business vehicles

Beginning October 1, 2026, Utah broadens who counts as a resident under this motor vehicle chapter. It covers people doing business within Utah who operate motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers in that business. It also covers people in interstate commerce who keep a vehicle based in Utah. Those people become subject to the chapter’s applicable requirements.

Classic vehicle fees and exemptions change

Beginning October 1, 2026, classic vehicles have a $40 initial registration fee and are exempt from the specified renewal registration fees. Utah removes the separate $45 registration fee and additional 50-cent fee for vintage vehicles from 1983 or later. Other applicable registration charges remain. The commission also loses authority to use that 50-cent fee for program enforcement and administration.

New rules for classic vehicle status

Beginning October 1, 2026, Utah replaces its vintage vehicle program with a classic vehicle program. Motor vehicles and motorcycles must be model year 1982 or older and driven fewer than 1,500 miles per calendar year. Travel trailers must be 1982 or older collector items used for events or occasional recreation or vacations, not daily transportation. Applicants must sign a highway-safety statement, but the prior age-based emissions and collector-insurance registration conditions are removed. The State Tax Commission may revoke registration when an owner breaks the classic vehicle rules.

Custom and replica vehicle rules change

Beginning October 1, 2026, classic vehicles are excluded from the custom vehicle category and its requirements. Replacement equipment on custom vehicles must meet the equipment maker’s design standards. Other safety equipment must meet at least the standards for the model year being copied. Replica titles must identify the vehicle as a replica and list the model year its body resembles.

Utah shifts $36,400 from transportation funds

Effective May 6, 2026, the law authorizes a one-time $36,400 transfer from the Transportation Investment Fund of 2005 to the General Fund. The transfer is for fiscal year 2026, which runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Spending from the General Fund still requires an appropriation. The transfer does not provide a direct household payment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Norman K Thurston
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Emily Buss
Forward Party • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 214 • No: 2

House vote • 2/26/2026

House/ concurs with Senate amendment

Yes: 63 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 27 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/25/2026

Senate/ substituted

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/12/2026

Senate/ passed 2nd reading

Yes: 26 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/9/2026

Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/9/2026

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 5 • No: 0

House vote • 2/3/2026

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 66 • No: 1

House vote • 1/23/2026

House Comm - Substitute Recommendation

Yes: 11 • No: 0