Florida Bill Very readable

usma41 · Post by **usma41** » Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:34 am

If anyone wants to see the Florida Bill, go to my Photo Gallery in page four and click the West Point Crest, it's on the second page bottom.

usma41 · Post by **usma41** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:07 am

Since it did not come up as a new post, I think I'll try to re-send it for all the members and collector's in the state of Florida, that I know are interested.

Jim · Post by **Jim** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:16 am

Thank you for posting this Bill. I've passed it on
to the Arkansas Travelers MV Club for consideration.
We just recently killed most of a bill requiring we
MV'ers to annually license our MV and other odious
provisions. That Bill was pushed by an idiot in Little
Rock, who was tired of seeing Antique Tags on older
vehicles being used for business purposes.

An aside, My parents and I, a newborn, lived in
Zephyrhills in a house they called The Pink
Monstrosity (pink stucco) while Dad was exec
of the Pursuit Squadron at Orlando, hunting
German U-Boats around Florida. I was born in
the Base Hospital. Thanks for the memory!

Jim in Darkest Arkansas

Cacti_Ken · Post by **Cacti_Ken** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 10:47 am

I compared the Florida bill to one in Texas. The Texas Bill HB 1225 relating
to registration and insurance requirements of former military vehicles.

It doesn't say any thing about fold down windshields. So I don't know if it is
legal to drive with it down.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/Search/D ... ightType=1

usma41 · Post by **usma41** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:25 am

There may not be a provision in the Texas law that requiers CJ's to keep
them up like there is in the Florida statue. If not then put them down. No
differant then a motorcycle.

Galen · Post by **Galen** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 6:43 pm

There's a very good reason I'm not a lawyer . . . I'm fairly dense. Since I
fail to grasp the legalise in the bill, can you decipher in English for me?
I live in Jacksonville & this will impact me directly when I'm able to bring
my M38A1 down.

usma41 · Post by **usma41** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:48 pm

OK Here go's. This means you have to go thru the normal channels for
your state tag, then: If you have period (any unit you want) bumper
markings on it and it has the original TYPE engine in it, then you will not
be required to mount the tag on the vehicle but it must be in the vehicle
(Glove box etc.) ( On demand tag) Also in the glove box you should print
a copy of the Bill and keep it there (Law enforcement has a way of lagging
behind) I went a bit further and hand delivered a copy to my local PD. A
military vehicle as described to the Senate Transportation commission
when they asked how such a vehicle could be described as ex-military was
"If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, and looks like a duck, then
it's a duck" This also applies to foreign military vehicles, antique fire
engines and military trailers. You can now put your windshield down
where as in the state of Florida a CJ can not. You have to remmember
that the DMV is NOT a law enforcement department. Before it even went
before the Transportation Commission, it had the blessing of the Florida
dept of Law Enforcement. There are many other aspects of this Bill but
unless you own a CKW it would be of no interest to you. The only other
thing that holds true in this state is this If the manufacture did not install it
then you do not have to. Like no seat belts, turn signals, ETC. Hope this
helps and if not send me an e-mail and I'll return it with my phone
number. Frank

Cacti_Ken · Post by **Cacti_Ken** » Tue Dec 12, 2006 9:20 pm

You almost have to be well verse in legal documents to understand the
Texas Law. Well At least I do. After reading it a few times slowly, some
of it is still not clear, such as it is exempt from safety responsibility laws.
Which I know means you do not have to get it inspected for road worthyness.
On current registration process for all daily drivers one has to show proof
of liability insurance.

So if a former military vehicle is exempt from the safety responsibily laws,
does that mean he doesnt have to show proof of insurance when he registers
it as a FMV? Guess I should call my Representative for clarification.

Galen · Post by **Galen** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:00 am

Frank, that was perfect, thanks for the translation.

usma41 · Post by **usma41** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 8:11 am

I'm not sure if they still issue the horseless carriage tag anymore, but if they
do, thats the one you want. I have one and I only paid for it once, it's
permanet, I don't have to re-new it every year. It is a red tag. If they don't,
you want the antique tag.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 9:58 am

Ken,
I believe you'll find that the "Safety responsibility" issues are the seat belts
and turn signal things. The Insurance actually would fall under "Financial
Responsibility".

A few things often overlooked in our zeal to beat the system are:

1-windshield down requires eye protection and in some states a full face
shield or goggles instead of prescription glasses or sun glasses.

2-Seat belt non-use only applies to adults in most states. If you carry
children all the child restraint stuff still applies.

3-Some states may require open vehicles to have some sort of fall out
protection at the door sills.

4-Some states limit special tag use to limited annual mileage and or use.

So if you want to bend the system to your own needs you should always
test the system via communication with the local police force rather then
waiting to ask forgiveness.

usma41 · Post by **usma41** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:49 am

All of the above will not apply to the State of Florida. The insurance
companys are aware of this. If you want to ask your local PD in Flod=rida,
they will tell you the same thing. Been there , done that. This is not trying to
beat the system, this is the system in Florida.

usma41 · Post by **usma41** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 11:51 am

Part of last post: Also Florida is the only state that you do not have to reg. a
weapon. The local shiriff almost insisted that I mount a working M-1 carbine.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:07 pm

My post above was informative and cautionary in nature. It did not single out
any one state.

Please try to avoid taking everyone of my postings as personal or directly
aimed at anyone or anything. This is an open forum and we throw our ideas
and knowlege out for all. When a posting is very specififc and addresses a
specific person or thing we will actually name that specific person or thing at
the beginning of our posts.

Post by **wesk** » Wed Dec 13, 2006 12:51 pm

Now this post is specific to the comment "all the above do not apply in
Florida". I have lived there and I still have familly there. Some of the
above does apply. We should not mislead other readers from Florida with
such broad statements.

You are required when operating any motor vehicle without a windscreen
in Florida to wear eye protection.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ind ... e=Display_
Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC2952.HTM&Title=-%3E2006
-%3ECh0316-%3ESection%202952#0316.2952]

From the cited law:
6) A former military vehicle is exempt from the requirements of this
section if the department determines that the exemption is necessary to
maintain the vehicle's accurate military design and markings. However,
whenever the vehicle is operating on the public roads and highways, the
operator and passengers must wear eye-protective devices approved by
the department. For purposes of this subsection, "former military vehicle"
means a vehicle, including a trailer, regardless of the vehicle's size,
weight, or year of manufacture, that was manufactured for use in any
country's military forces and is maintained to represent its military design
and markings accurately.

You must prove financial responsibility.
http://www.autoinsuranceindepth.com/state-minimums.html

The law on registering MV's does not negate the standard rules of the road
unless it specifically lists in it's verbage those specific laws that are not
applicable.

You must signal your turns (hands or lights).
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ind ... e=Display_
Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC156.HTM&Title=-%3E2000-
%3ECh0316-%3ESection%20156#0316.156

You must stop for a red light.

You must drive in the correct direction down a one way street.

You vehicle must have brakes.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ind ... e=Display_
Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC261.HTM&Title=-%3E2000-
%3ECh0316-%3ESection%20261#0316.261

Your vehicle must have a aural warning device.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ind ... e=Display_
Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC271.HTM&Title=-%3E2000-
%3ECh0316-%3ESection%20271#0316.271

Under 18 must have seat belt.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/ind ... e=Display_
Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/SEC614.HTM&Title=-%3E2006-
%3ECh0316-%3ESection%20614#0316.614
From the above law and I saw no MV exemptions for this.
(4) It is unlawful for any person:

(a) To operate a motor vehicle in this state unless each passenger and the
operator of the vehicle under the age of 18 years are restrained by a
safety belt or by a child restraint device pursuant to s. 316.613, if
applicable; or

(b) To operate a motor vehicle in this state unless the person is restrained
by a safety belt.

(5) It is unlawful for any person 18 years of age or older to be a
passenger in the front seat of a motor vehicle unless such person is
restrained by a safety belt when the vehicle is in motion.
So please let's be more carefull what we declare as gospel here.