From New Hampshire Administrative Rules:
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3210.01. Verification of Information.
(a) Prior to inspecting any vehicle, the mechanic shall examine the registration certificate,
plates, vehicle description and vehicle identification number. The mechanic shall advise the
owner of any error.
(b) The mechanic shall examine the registration certificate of any homemade vehicle to ensure
the certificate shows the vehicle is registered as a composite and that the vehicle has a state
issued vehicle identification number originating from any jurisdiction.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3210.02. Correction of Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
(a) If the VIN on the registration certificate does not match the VIN on the vehicle, the
mechanic shall:
(1) Make corrections to the VIN on the registration certificate of up to 3 digits or 3 letters, by
drawing a slash ” / ” mark through the incorrect digit or letter and placing the correct digit or
letter above or below it;
(2) Complete a correction slip, form RDMV 320, and place it in a separate envelope marked
“VIN corrections” to be forwarded to the department; and
(3) Furnish the following on form RDMV 320:
a. Plate number and type;
b. Expiration date of plate;
c. Owner's name, address and date of birth;
d. Vehicle make, model and year;
e. Incorrect VIN;
f. Correct VIN;
g. Mechanic's name, signature and date signed; and
h. Inspection station name and address.
(b) If more than 3 digits or 3 letters are incorrect on the VIN, corrections shall be made by the
department. No inspection sticker shall be issued until the VIN has been corrected.
(c) In the event a vehicle identification number plate is missing or has been tampered with, for
example, is missing pop rivets, the mechanic shall reject the vehicle and notify the department.
Part Saf-C 3244. Street Rods
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.01. Inspection Required.
(a) All street rods shall be inspected annually during the month of April.
(b) Notwithstanding (a) above, a newly registered street rod shall be inspected within 10 days
from the date of registration.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.02. Verification of Information.
Prior to inspecting any street rod, the mechanic shall examine the registration certificate
pursuant to Saf-C 3210 and the certificate of verification.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.03. Steering, Front End and Suspension.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) There is a broken spring leaf, spring shackle, airbags if so equipped, coil, sway bar, or any
connecting part and does not meet the requirements set forth in Saf-C 3211.07 (a) (4) through
(13);
(2) The steering wheel is less than 13 inches in diameter; or
(3) Pursuant to RSA 266:113, IV, the ground clearance is such that the street rod is not able to
be in motion and functional while on its 4 rims on a flat surface, and any portion of the
suspension, steering or chassis touches that surface.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.04. Brakes and Parking Brake.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) If it does not meet the requirements set forth in Saf-C 3212.02(a) (1), (2), (6), and (7)-(22);
(2) Brake pedal reserve shows that less than 1/5 of the total service brake pedal travel remains
when the pedal is depressed and held, or if the pedal height cannot be maintained for 10
seconds with moderate foot force;
(3) The parking brake:
a. Does not hold the street rod with engine slightly accelerated in low gear; or
b. The pedal or lever reaches its limit before the brakes are set;
(4) Fluid is leaking from the master cylinder, calipers, wheel cylinders or, parts are missing,
improperly retained or not in good working condition;
(5) Hydraulic hoses, tubing or connections are leaking, chaffed, restricted, crimped, cracked,
broken, corroded, flattened or insecurely fastened;
(6) Any mechanical linkage parts are missing, broken or badly worn;
(7) There is high friction in the brake pedal and linkage or in the brake components; or
(8) On vacuum booster power brakes:
a. Any hose or tube is leaking, collapsed, broken, badly chafed or improperly supported;
b. Any clamp is loose, missing or broken; or
c. The service brake pedal does not move slightly when the engine is started.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.05. Odometer.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) It is not equipped with an odometer;
(2) The odometer has been tampered with or removed; or
(3) The odometer does not work.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.06. Speedometer.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if;
(1) It is not equipped with a speedometer;
(2) The speedometer has been tampered with or removed; or
(3) The speedometer does not work.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.07. Transmission.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if it does not have a functional reverse gear which enables it to
be backed under power.
(b) If equipped with an automatic transmission, a street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) The transmission shift lever sequence does not have a neutral position; or
(2) The street rod moves on a grade while in the “park” position.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.08. Electrical System.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) The horn does not meet the requirements set forth in Saf-C 3214.01;
(2) The starter on a street rod equipped with an automatic transmission operates when the
gear selector is in any position other than park or neutral; or
(3) Any portion of the electrical system shows signs of burning, short-circuiting or bare or
uninsulated wires.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.09. Lights and Lighting.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if any turn signal lamp or operating unit:
(1) Does not function properly;
(2) Is not properly directed;
(3) Is obscured; or
(4) Has a self-canceling mechanism that does not function properly.
(b) A street rod shall be equipped with emergency lights which meet the requirements set forth
in Saf-C 3215.02(a);
(c) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) Any bulb, or lamp fails to light or does not function properly;
(2) Any bulb, lamp or reflector does not meet the manufacturer's specifications or violates
federal motor vehicle safety standards;
(3) Turn signal lamps fail to light when the turn signal lever is moved to the “on” position, or
flashes less than 60 or more than 120 cycles a minute;
(4) The back-up light system does not turn off automatically when the vehicle is moved
forward, if the light system is designed to turn off and if the vehicle is so equipped;
(5) Any lamp shows a color inconsistent with the following:
a. Headlamps shall show a white light and colored headlamps;
b. Colored headlamps, covers or tinted lenses shall not be permitted;
c. License plate lamps shall show a white light;
d. Directional signals shall show an amber or white light to the front and an amber or red light
to the rear;
e. Tail and brake lamps shall show a red light; and
f. Clearance lamps shall show a red light to the rear and an amber light to the front;
(6) Any lamp or reflector does not direct light in the proper direction;
(7) Auxiliary equipment is placed on or in front of any lamp;
(8) Any lamp assembly, or any portion thereof, is improperly fastened or installed; or
(9) Any lamp has a cracked, broken or missing lens or reflex reflector.
(d) A street rod shall be equipped with auxiliary driving lamps and fog lamps shall comply with
the requirements of Saf-C 3215.05.
(e) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) A commercially manufactured aimer shows the headlight beam is not straight ahead and 2
degrees down; or
(2) A headlight board shows the headlight beam is not straight ahead and less than 2 inches
lower than the horizontal center line of the board, measured 25 feet from the headlamps.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.10. Glass, Glazing and Mirrors.
(a) Pursuant to RSA 266:58 and RSA 266:113, II(e), a street rod manufactured on or after
January 1, 1936, shall be equipped with safety glass, marked with the proper code number, AS
1, AS 10, DOT code number or Lexan, and shall have safety glass installed whenever
replacement is required.
(b) A street rod shall be rejected if the inside rear view mirror:
(1) Is loose, so that the driver's rear vision is impaired;
(2) Is located in a position that does not give the driver a clear view of the road at least 200 feet
to the rear of the street rod;
(3) Is cracked or broken;
(4) Has sharp edges; or
(5) Does not stay in position when adjusted.
(c) If the rear of the street rod is blocked, the street rod shall be exempt from having a rear
view mirror, as long as the street rod is equipped with an outside mirror that gives the driver a
clear view of the road at least 200 feet to the rear of the street rod.
(d) A street rod with tinted glass shall be rejected unless the glass complies with the
requirements of RSA 266:58-a or a waiver has been obtained pursuant to Saf-C 2500.
(e) Curtains shall be permitted on any window other than the windshield and windows to the
right and left of the driver, as long as the street rod is equipped with outside mirrors, on the left
and the right side of the driver, which affords a clear view of the rear of the street rod.
(f) Rigid plastic glazing, such as “Plexiglass” or “Lexan” shall be permitted in the windows of a
street rod in which the windows are frequently broken.
(g) Rigid plastic glazing shall be replaced when it becomes scratched, clouded or worn to the
extent the driver's vision is limited or obscured.
(h) Glazing, or “Plexiglass” or “Lexan” shall not be permitted unless it meets the requirements
set forth in 49 CFR 393.60. Glazing material used in windshields, windows, and doors on a
motor vehicle manufactured on or after December 25th, 1968, shall at a minimum meet the
requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 205 in effect on the
date of manufacturer of the motor vehicle. The glazing material shall be marked in accordance
with FMVSS number 205.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.11. Wipers and Defroster.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) Pursuant to RSA 266:113, II(f), it is not equipped with an electric or vacuum windshield
wiper located in front of the driver;
(2) The wiper blades fail to clear the windshield, so that the driver's vision is limited or
obscured;
(3) The rubber section of the wiper blade is worn or missing; or
(4) Pursuant to RSA 266:56, if manufactured after January 1, 1947, it is not equipped with a
functional defroster capable of melting snow and ice on the windshield.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.12. Exhaust System.
(a) The exhaust system, including the exhaust pipe, muffler, resonator, catalytic converter,
tailpipe, hangers, brackets and all other component parts shall be inspected for leakage,
improper fastening and proper operation.
(b) All street rods shall be equipped with mufflers in good working condition.
(c) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) It has no tailpipe or muffler;
(2) There is, inside the street rod, an operator controlled device such as a muffler cut-out or
muffler by-pass which amplifies or increases the noise emitted by the muffler;
(3) There are holes, rusted or worn surfaces in any component parts or supporting hardware;
(4) There are loose or leaking joints or leaking seams in any section;
(5) Any portion of the exhaust system is not securely fastened;
(6) Any portion of the exhaust system passes through the passenger compartment or trunk;
(7) Muffler jackets or flexible pipe, which does not seal itself, is used in the exhaust system;
(8) The tailpipe end is pinched or damaged;
(9) The muffler has loose or missing interior baffles or holes which have been repaired with
patches; or
(10) Excessive fumes, smoke, flame, gas, oil or fuel residue escapes in violation of RSA 266:59.
(d) A street rod with an outside exhaust system shall meet the following requirements:
(1) The muffler shall not give off excessive noise, fumes, smoke, flame, gas, oil or fuel residue;
(2) No exhaust gases shall enter the passenger compartment;
(3) Any flexi-type exhaust piping shall be self-sealing, free of leaks, holes, patches or defects,
properly fastened to the street rod and used only on the exhaust side of the emission control
system; and
(4) Pursuant to RSA 266:113, III, the exhaust discharge point shall be to the rear of the rear
edge of the front door and shall exit exhaust gases away from the street rod.
(5) No portion of the exhaust system or exhaust pipe shall extend, in any direction, beyond the
limits of the vehicle's body without heat shielding.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.13. Fuel System.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) There is vapor or fuel leakage anywhere within the fuel system;
(2) Any portion of the fuel system is not securely fastened;
(3) The fuel system is equipped with a fuel filler cap that does not meet the manufacturer's
specifications; or
(4) Any portion of the fuel lines are made of material that does not meet federal motor vehicle
safety standards.
(b) A street rod with the fuel tank located within the trunk area shall be rejected if the fuel tank
is not equipped with a sealed gas cap and a spill-proof vent system which has its discharge
opening outside of the body of the street rod.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.14. Vehicle Body or Chassis.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) The body components have tears, sharp edges or protruding areas which present a safety
hazard to any person;
(2) Any door is:
a. Missing;
b. Improperly fastened; or
c. Adjusted so that it cannot be tightly closed;
(3) Any door latch, lock, hinge or handle:
a. Is broken;
b. Does not work properly; or
c. Is defective;
(4) The floor pan in the passenger compartment or trunk area has a hole, is worn or is rusted so
that exhaust gases enter or cannot support occupants;
(5) Any portion of the transmission is missing or does not function properly;
(6) The body is damaged so that rear doors, windows, deck lids or other similar items cannot be
fully closed and properly sealed, or any other condition or body opening exists which allows
exhaust gases to enter the passenger compartment; or
(7) The frame or other structural components are broken, cracked or rusted to a degree which
affects the safety of the street rod.
(b) Welded frames shall be permitted as long as any joints have the equivalent strength of the
original frame and the alignment of chassis parts is not affected.
(c) Lap joint welds shall be permitted as long as the joints have the equivalent strength of
the original frame.
(d) Hood or carburetor air scoops may be installed on a street rod as long as they meet the
requirements set forth in Saf-C 3221.07.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.15. Seat Belts.
Pursuant to RSA 266:113, II(c), a street rod shall be rejected if it is not equipped with a securely
anchored federal motor vehicle safety standard seat belt for all occupants.
N.H. Code Admin. R. Saf-C 3244.16. Tire and Wheels.
(a) A street rod shall be rejected if a tire has:
(1) A fabric break;
(2) A cut, break or weather crack which is:
a. In excess of one inch in any direction as measured on the outside of the tire; or
b. Deep enough to reach the body cords;
(3) Temporary repairs made with blowout patches or boots;
(4) Any bumps, bulges or knots related to separation or partial failure of the tire structure;
(5) Any portion of the ply or cord structure exposed through the tread; or
(6) A portion of the tread completely worn, which is of sufficient size to affect the traction and
stopping ability of the tire.
(b) A street rod shall be rejected if the tread depth measured in a major tread groove nearest
the center of the tire is less than 2/32 inch.
(c) Pursuant to RSA 266:47, a street rod shall be rejected if it is equipped with one or more
regrooved tires.
(d) A street rod shall be rejected if:
(1) Radial and bi-ply tires are on the same axle;
(2) Different tire sizes are on the same axle, except for U.S. and metric sizes of compatible
construction, dimensions and load capacity;
(3) Tires are marked “for farm use only”, “off highway use only” or “racing only”;
(4) Wheel bolts, studs or lugs are loose, missing or damaged; or
(5) Any portion of the wheel is bent, cracked, re-welded, damaged or has elongated bolt holes
that affects the safe operation of the street rod.
From New Hampshire Revised Statutes:
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 266:62-a Motor Vehicles Manufactured 60 Years or Older.
Any motor vehicle whose model year is 60 years or older shall be exempt from all motor vehicle
equipment and inspection requirements if the motor vehicle is equipped as it was
manufactured or in accordance with the motor vehicle's original equipment specifications.
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 266:31-a Multiple Beam Lighting Equipment.
All motor vehicles shall be equipped with multiple beam headlighting equipment, except that
headlamp systems which provide only a single distribution of light shall be permitted on all
farm tractors regardless of date of manufacture and on antique motor vehicles which were not
originally equipped with multiple beam road lighting equipment.
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 266:33 Antique Vehicles Exemption.
Notwithstanding the provisions of RSA 266:44, the tail lamps on antique motorcars as defined
in RSA 259:4 shall be deemed adequate if they display a red light visible for a distance of 100
feet to the rear of such vehicle, and the tail lamp or lamps on such vehicles may be located at a
height of more than 72 inches from the ground, provided they were so located at the time of
original manufacture of the vehicle.
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 266:44 Tail Lamp and Reflectors.
Every motor vehicle and trailer or any combination of vehicles, when on the ways of this state
at night, shall have on the rear thereof, and to the left of the axis thereof, one lamp, displaying
a red light visible for a distance of at least 1000 feet to the rear of such vehicle, and a white
light illuminating the registration plate of such vehicle so that the characters thereon shall be
visible for a distance of at least 50 feet, except that passenger cars manufactured or assembled
after January 1, 1952, shall have at least 2 tail lamps, one to either side of the axis thereof. On a
combination of vehicles, only the tail lamps on the rearmost vehicle need actually be seen from
the distance specified. On vehicles equipped with more than one tail lamp, the lamps shall be
mounted on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable. All tail lamps on any
vehicle shall be located at a height of not more than 72 inches nor less than 20 inches from the
ground, measured from the ground to the center of the reflector, and shall be placed in such
manner as to indicate the extreme width of the vehicle and load and to reflect rays of light
thrown upon such reflector. The visibility of such reflectors shall not be impaired at any time.
Whenever a vehicle is manufactured with multiple tail lamps or multiple bulbs or filaments in
the tail lamps, each of the lamps, bulbs, or filaments and any other exterior lighting equipment
with which the vehicle was manufactured shall be in working order.
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 266:58 Safety Glass Required.
It shall be unlawful to register or to drive on any way in this state any motor vehicle which shall
have been manufactured or assembled on or after January 1, 1936, unless it be equipped with
safety glass wherever glass is used in partitions, doors, windows, or windshields. This section
shall not apply to any motor vehicle registered in another state by a bona fide resident of said
state.
N.H. Rev. Stat. § 265:107-a Child Passenger Restraints Required.
I. No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any way while carrying as a passenger a person less
than 18 years of age unless such person is wearing a seat or safety belt which is properly
adjusted and fastened. Except as provided in paragraph II, no person shall drive a motor vehicle
on any way while carrying as a passenger a person less than 18 years of age unless the motor
vehicle was designed for and equipped with child passenger restraints in accordance with the
safety standards approved by the United States Department of Transportation in 49 C.F.R.
section 571.213.
I-a. No person who is less than 18 years of age shall drive a motor vehicle or autocycle on any
way unless such person is wearing a seat or safety belt which is properly adjusted and fastened.
I-b. No person shall drive a motor vehicle on any way while carrying as a passenger a person
less than 7 years of age unless such passenger is properly fastened and secured by a child
restraint system which is in accordance with the safety standards approved by the United
States Department of Transportation in 49 C.F.R. section 571.213. If the passenger is 57 inches
or more in height, the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply.
II. A person shall not be guilty of a violation of this section if the motor vehicle the person is
driving is regularly used to transport passengers for hire, is a school bus weighing more than
10,000 pounds or is a school bus weighing less than 10,000 pounds that was manufactured
without safety belts, or there is an individualized education program statement
contraindicating the use of restraints, is a vehicle manufactured before 1968, is a motorcycle as
defined in RSA 259:63, is an antique motor car or motorcycle as defined in RSA 259:4, or is
being operated in a parade authorized by law or ordinance, provided that the parade vehicle is
travelling at a speed of no more than 10 miles per hour.