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Posted on 04/13/2026 5:34:05 PM PDT by Impala64ssa
A new Minnesota bill could ban most weekday and nighttime driving for classic cars
A Minnesota bill would sharply limit when classic cars can legally be driven. Collector vehicles may only be allowed on weekends or at organized events. Critics warn the proposal could hurt car culture and local businesses. Seeing a classic car on the road is one of those rare moments that still brings a smile to anyone who appreciates such machines. That experience might be about to become even rarer in Minnesota. A new law there would limit classic cars to driving only on weekends or at special events. In fact, it goes so far as to limit their driving to only between sunrise and sunset on the weekends.
A newly introduced bill, HF 3865, would overhaul how the state handles collector-class vehicles. On paper, much of the legislation looks harmless. It updates definitions, standardizes registration language, and tweaks paperwork for everything from pioneer plates to collector motorcycles.
Under the bill, any vehicle registered with Minnesota’s collector, classic, pioneer, street rod, or military vehicle plates could only be driven for “collector” purposes. That includes club activities, tours, parades, exhibitions, and similar events. Outside of those situations, owners would only be allowed to drive their vehicles on Saturdays and Sundays between sunrise and sunset.
Weekday Driving Ban Details
In other words, the state appears to be proposing a near-total ban on weekday cruising, nighttime drives, and spontaneous midweek trips for anyone with collector plates. Here’s the crazy part: the law in the state is already quite restrictive for cars in this class. As The Blaze points out, collector cars cannot currently be used for general transportation.
Owners can still take their cars out for test drives, informal meetups, or the occasional evening cruise without worrying too much about whether they technically qualify. HF 3865 would replace that flexibility with a far more rigid framework. That said, the bill also leaves some important questions unanswered. Terms like “exhibition” and “similar use” are not clearly defined, which could leave enforcement up to individual officers.
Gray Areas In Legal Language
The bill doesn’t explain why lawmakers believe these restrictions are important. It’s likely tied to ensuring that people don’t take advantage of classic car registration fees. Even if that’s the case, it would be nice to see a little more transparency surrounding the situation. For now, HB 3865 still has to pass the house, the senate, and then get signed into law before it impacts enthusiasts.
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On average, antique cars are driven less than 3k/ year. Especially in the northern states when these cars are generally garaged during the winter. If someone gets caught driving a classic when they're not supposed to, just say they're providing transportation for Somali day care kids. 🤦♂️😖😖🤬
Tow it with a trailer. Just an idea.
Its idiotic, but just dont put collector plates on.
What business is it of the politicians when you drive your car?
Typical government overreach.
I cannot see the rationale behind this legislation. It impacts a small minority of car owners to fix what? What problems are these owners creating? This is government for the sake of government.
You can’t hate Minnesota enough.
Apparently, the Karens of the legislature really have nothing better to do than micromanage everyone else’s fun.
Reno-Hot August Nights. I saw many of those cars on trailers going to the event. Owners babied them.
Register your car in Montana, using a UPS Store address.
I was expecting to read this was being proposed because of the wear and tear on the roads and asphalt surfaces.
I’ve heard it is the E-Cars that weigh considerably more than gas fueled cars. The E-Cars are rough on the pavement, but I’m not hearing any proposals to restrict their usage.
DAMN those Republicans! (////S)
This is just stupid, there is no practical reason to limit the use of a classic car if it is safe enough for the open road.
It’s just unbelievable what these control freaks can come up with to make ones life miserable.
I do see a practical use from a communist perspective, and that would be classics do not emit signals where they can be tracked by gps.
“What business is it of the politicians when you drive your car?”
If these people can drive their cars then the global temperature will increase by 1/100000 degrees in 1000 years. In Minnesota where the average temperature is almost comfortable in August.
>>I cannot see the rationale behind this legislation
First they restrict classic cars, then all gas-powered cars, then all cars. It’s typical incremental tyranny.
Better not spread to a ban in Cuba....
Wonder if they have my late grandmother’s beautiful 1954 canary yellow and white Buick Special. I loved that car as a kid.
Apparently you do not own a classic. We have a 52 Dodge and a soon to be classic 97 Chevy. They are such a pleasure to drive. Both very comfortable. The Chevy in particular is a better vehicle than our newer ones because it does not have all those annoying buzzers and bells and warnings that come on newer vehicles. The engine does not auto stop/start at a traffic light. Anyone with a tool box can work on it.
This Chevy is so comfortable with its bench seat. Just turn the key and drive. So simple, so easy.
RE: What business is it of the politicians when you drive your car?
Well, actually all rights are held and divvied out to the lowly citizens on a need to have basis. Otherwise reserved to the politicians and their lobbyists.
“I’ve heard it is the E-Cars that weigh considerably more than gas fueled cars. “
Ionic 5 Electric 4,000 lbs
BMW X7 Gas 6,000 lbs
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