Repeal the DOT/EPA “25 Year Rule” Car Import Ban

In regards to importing cars without "grey market" restrictions, the car currently has to be at least 25 years old.

There is a new petition to a change in the law from the twenty-five year limit to fifteen year limit without restrictions. Most fifteen year old cars throughout the world met similar safety and emission standards. These are inherently low-volume imports.

Linky: https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/repeal-dotepa-%E2%80%9C25-year-rule%E2%80%9D-car-import-ban-15-years-and-allow-importation-non-conforming-cars-and/PhZ4RMgz

I love how that petition backs up its statements with facts:

*There’s no reason why rules couldn’t be relaxed with no real detriment to safety or environment.

Um, okay, sold.

Well, to some extent, 15 year old collectables should be in better shape with more up to date components than a 25 year old collectable, and they were legal for road use in a country with a strong enough economy to build a car.

So I think they wouldn't be unsafe as a rule.

However a simple roadworthy check as part of registering the vehicle would fix that potential issue anyway.

Lets be honest, Uncle Bob's 20 year old Taurus with 20 year old bald tires is more of a safety issue than a 15 year old collector car that an enthusiast purposely spend a lot of money on just to have something different.

At least you're making an argument. The petition doesn't even make the effort.

Is this the same poorly written petition that was going around last week, or a new poorly written one?

In reply to neon4891: It was written on the 5th of August, but already has about 44k signatures.

I signed this but make no mistake this has been done a few times already with no effect. I don't think a signature campaign is going to change the mind of the same people who are up in arms against Tesla right now because Team Ford las vegas pays their campaign fees.

A lot of those dealerships own shady used car dealerships trying to see 15 year old cars sold.

None of it makes sense. I have to get a 45-year-old car smog checked if I want to DD it in Las Vegas. Unless some 15-year-old grey-market car will pass NV smog, it's irrelevant whether or not I can own it, because I sure can't drive it.

It doesn't benefit the people in power to change it, its not happening. Now if you proposed a 100% tax on importing non dot/epa/nhtsa approved 15-25 yr old cars, then they might get somewhere.

I think Irish44j said it best in the other thread. 44k letters to the congress critters would be more effective than some halfass poorly written petition.

Either that or find a Bill Gates to take up the banner Luke he did with the show and display rule.