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Lawmakers consider adding retired fire apparatus to antique‑vehicle exemption
Summary
House Bill 390 would permit retirement‑age fire apparatus to register as antiques without stripping historical equipment, reversing a DMV interpretation that prevented owners from registering historic fire trucks for road display and parades.
Representative Steve Pearson, sponsor of House Bill 390, told the Transportation Committee on April 14 that the bill would correct an unintended consequence from a strict statutory interpretation that recently prevented owners of retired fire apparatus from registering those vehicles as antiques.
Pearson said the change responds to a practical problem: antique fire apparatus — vehicles purchased by municipalities decades ago and later transferred to historical societies or private owners for preservation — were being denied antique registration because DMV staff interpreted a prohibition on "emergency vehicles" to bar such equipment unless its lights, sirens and other identifying equipment were removed. He described examples where a 1930 fire engine owned by a historical association could no longer be entered in parades unless all identifying equipment was stripped.
"No one wants to strip an antique fire apparatus down to nothing," Pearson said. He emphasized the bill excludes apparatus used commercially (for example, a private contractor using a retired ladder truck for tree work) and preserves existing prohibitions on impersonating emergency personnel.
Committee members asked technical questions about definitions. Representative Miller asked why the bill sets a 20‑year age threshold different from other antique standards; Pearson said fire engines have a shorter service life and restorers need earlier access to the antique standard so preserved apparatus are not effectively immobilized for years while they age into the standard. Representatives also clarified ambulances and command vehicles are not included in the exemption unless they meet the antique vehicle standard.
Supporters from the fire‑history community and municipal representatives told the committee they have not observed misuse of retired apparatus and said owners adhere to long‑standing rules prohibiting the use of lights or sirens on the road except where allowed for parades.
No vote was taken at the hearing; the committee closed public comment after questions.
