HB 326 · 2025 · House · Transportation Committee
Seat belts for antique cars
AI-generatedprohibiting the operation of antique passenger vehicles, model year 1968 or older, on state or local highways for more than 20 miles unless the vehicle is fitted or retrofitted with seat or safety belts.
Requires drivers and passengers of antique vehicles with model years 1968 or older to wear seat or safety belts, unless participating in a parade or traveling off-road.AI-generated
Status
Killed in the House — Inexpedient to Legislate · February 6, 2025- ✓Introduced
- ✕House
- Senate
- Governor
- Law
Analysis
This bill requires drivers and passengers of antique vehicles with model years of 1968 or older to wear seat or safety belts unless participating in a parade or traveling off-road.
From the bill's official ANALYSIS section.
In the bill's words
Quoted verbatim from the bill as introduced. Passages chosen from the operative text.Computed by this site
“No person shall drive an antique passenger motor vehicle, model year 1968 or older, for more than 20 miles upon a state or local highway unless such person and any passenger is wearing a seat or safety belt that meets the United States Department of Transportation applicable standards set forth in 49 C.F.R. section 571.207-210, which is properly adjusted and fastened.”
“Paragraph I shall not apply to a person driving an antique passenger motor vehicle, and their passengers, when the vehicle is:”
“The department of transportation shall adopt rules in accordance with RSA 541-A regarding the installation, retrofitting, and regulation of seat and safety belts in antique passenger vehicles described in paragraph I of this section.”
Official record
gc.nh.gov · the authoritative source
Sponsors
Public testimony
78 signed in online · 49 wrote testimony
4% support96% oppose0% neutral
In their wordsVerbatim, exactly as submitted
“I oppose this bill 100%. As an antique auto collector myself. Bill HB326 would require the retro fit of seatbelts to antique and vintage vehicles. This would cause damage and reduction of value to priceless cars and trucks.…”
“I have multiple pre war cars. It is not necessary to force me to install seatbelts into the cars and trucks. They were not designed for the belts, and to properly secure them would mean completely re-engineering the cars.…”
“For those who live off these roads, getting to an “approved” road route could be impossible!”
Verbatim excerpts of submitted testimony, quoted from the testimony tool.
Read the testimony · as of Aug 12, 2026
Votes
yeanay- Jan 28, 2025HouseCommittee report· consent calendar: Inexpedient to Legislate16–0Overall100% yea
- Feb 6, 2025HouseVoice voteInexpedient to Legislateadopted
Hearings and debates
- Jan 21, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation5:35:24–5:39:494m 25slocated in the stream transcriptPublic Hearing
- Jan 28, 2025Public hearingHouse Transportation4:48:51–4:53:565m 5slocated in the stream transcriptCommittee Report: Inexpedient to Legislate; Executive Session
- Feb 6, 2025Floor debateHouse floorWatchnot located in the transcript — opens the full streamInexpedient to Legislate — adopted, voice vote
Timestamps locate where this bill is taken up in the chamber's YouTube stream.
Legislative history
- Jan 8, 2025HouseIntroduced 01/08/2025 and referred to Transportation HJ 2 P. 15
- Jan 21, 2025HousePublic Hearing: 01/21/2025 03:15 pm LOB 203
- Jan 28, 2025HouseExecutive Session: 01/28/2025 01:30 pm LOB 203
- Jan 28, 2025House: Inexpedient to Legislate 01/28/2025 (Vote 16-0; CC) HC 10 P. 6
- Feb 6, 2025HouseInexpedient to Legislate: MA VV 02/06/2025 HJ 4 P. 8
Coverage
No reporting linked yet.
Documents (PDF)
Bill text & amendments link direct to gc.nh.gov; committee reports stream from the state record.