Miguel Sánchez
As we saw a few days ago, the entry into force of the new Historic Vehicle Regulation is delayed. Far from having started its practical journey on January 2, it seems that it will finally be this fall when it finally replaces the current standard approved in 1995.
The cause of this delay is the accumulation of allegations to the new text received since last August. Coming from senders as diverse as individuals, autonomous communities or cataloging laboratories. Although all to be managed by the DGT, which is answering them with the intention of finishing for next summer.
In other words, if all goes well, it is expected that the new Historic Vehicle Regulations will be in force within half a year. Plenty of time for all the fans to find out what's new with respect to what we have today, thus clarifying many objections and fears expressed in the course of the negotiation held by the DGT together with the autonomous communities, the Ministry of Industry and the Spanish Federation of Antique Vehicles (FEVA).
A process that, in general, has achieved consensus and satisfaction between the parties. All this to establish, in basic lines, the following differences with respect to the standard approved in 1995.
1. THE CLASSICS ARE DIVIDED INTO TWO CATEGORIES
First of all, it draws attention to the division of historic vehicles into two categories. On the one hand we have the so-called Group A. Under which will be those that have been legally circulating in Spain for more than thirty years without substantial modifications that question their originality.
And on the other, the so-called Group B. In which the units imported or removed from circulation will be registered. Thus, those of Group A will only need to achieve the category of "historical” A formal statement from the owner about the originality of the vehicle as well as having the insurance and the ITV in order.
Meanwhile those of Group B will require a report from the Historical Vehicle Technical Services where they are marked as fit to circulate. In addition, said report will specify -if any- the logical limitations of use based on the equipment. For example, the impossibility of driving at night for vehicles without lights. Something that, obviously, will only affect very specific models.
2. NO ITV FOR VETERANS
Secondly, it also highlights the division of historic vehicles into two other groups in order to pass or not the ITV. In this sense, pre-1950 units will not have to be presented for inspection although, if the owner wishes, they can be reviewed for greater peace of mind.
However, in contrast to the older ones, all vehicles after 1950 will have to have the ITV in order. Of course, this should only be passed every 2 or 4 years depending on its age.
3. ORIGINALITY AND VARIOUS MODIFICATIONS
As already happens, in the ITV they will not be forced to have elements foreign to their factory state, although these are mandatory today. In other words, if your Renault 4 left FASA without rear seat belts, you will not be required to put them on. An issue that, in the spirit of this new Historic Vehicle Regulation, comes to underline how priority is being given to keeping vehicles in their original state.
In fact, the new text will regulate mechanical or interior and body modifications in order to guarantee the factory design. In other words, only reforms, parts or repairs that could have been possible at the time will be accepted. In fact, If you do not have original spare parts, it will be valued very positively that these are similar to those. All with the idea of keeping our industrial heritage alive as it was conceived in their respective times.
4. REGISTRATION ARE MAINTAINED
Continuing with this idea, a fourth novelty based on everything related to license plates is striking. Having reached this section, it is gratifying to see how vehicles prior to 1970 may carry plates that are visually the same as those mounted at the time of manufacture. In addition, if it is already registered in Spain, it will be able to keep its original nomenclature on the plates.
Excellent news for those who -and there are not a few- like to spend hours classifying first registrations among the oldest cars. Nevertheless, a different thing will be the imported models or those that were unregistered. In this case, the Historic Vehicle Regulation dictates that, yes, they must carry a new identification to start with the H of "Historical".
5. CHEAPER AND WITH LESS PROCEDURES
Furthermore, as a fifth essential difference from the 1995 law, the new Historic Vehicle Regulation eliminates the current procedures of the autonomous communities related to cataloging. In this way, we seek to standardize ourselves with what is done in most of the countries around us.
In this way, and despite the complaints of some laboratories, procedures for historic vehicles will be faster and less expensive. In short, even with the allegations received, it seems that this new regulation will bring simplification and bets for the conservation of our classics.
Photographs by Unai Ona.
