Maine Canceling Delica Registration

Kyre said:
you can still drive in Maine if your van is registered out of state.
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This is from the Massachusetts law:
"The registrar may suspend the right of any nonresident operator to operate in this commonwealth, and may suspend the right of any nonresident owner to operate or have operated in this commonwealth any motor vehicle or trailer for the same causes and under the same conditions that he can take such action regarding resident owners, operators, motor vehicles and trailers owned in this commonwealth."

Maine does have a reciprocity law that allows operation of an out of state vehicle as exempt from registration, but that law also has this clause: "Nothing in this Title permits operation on a public way of a vehicle not registered in this State with weight that exceeds or equipment that does not meet that required of similar resident vehicles."

Similarly, I can pretty much guarantee that if you drive a kei vehicle on an interstate highway in a state that prohibits it you will get pulled over/ticketed; even if the state where it is registered allows it... that's just too blatant of a violation...
 
Looks like I might be the test case. I have to drive from NH to PEI in two weeks and the only real option is up the entire coast of Maine. Are there really no Delicas driving in Maine right now? I find that a bit hard to believe.
 
tlipoma said:
Looks like I might be the test case. I have to drive from NH to PEI in two weeks and the only real option is up the entire coast of Maine. Are there really no Delicas driving in Maine right now? I find that a bit hard to believe.
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AFAIK, they are not pulling over out of state vehicles... just because they probably can, doesn't mean they probably will. Right now I think most of it is "opportunity catches"... i.e. state inspections, weight checks, etc; I would be extra careful about not getting a speeding ticket though :D
 
KnifeFightHandy said:
If this is true there should be a Delica Owner's of North America Meetup in Maine. And, you know caravan to the capitol and fancy points of interest... Hand out flyers and such. I've only ever been met with kindness and affection from anyone who as said anything about my van and I could only imagine people overwhelmingly would removing this subjectively ambiguous rule.
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Kyre said:
Most likely fine driving around with out of state plates. I’m currently in Maine with my CA plated Delica and have driven by countless cops and have had them driving behind me.

It’s not like they’re going to be informed and on the lookout for the 5 Delica’s in the state.
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I just got back from Nova Scotia and P.E.I. driving through Maine in both directions. I was a little apprehensive on the way to N.S., but I was passed several times by Maine State police AND two Maine D.O.T cars with no issue. I think it helped sticking to the speed limit with the help of my GPS (my speedo has no MPH markings). There was also no issue going through customs back into Maine from Canada. Canadians were very curious about the Delica, some wanted to know where they could get one!
 
Just subscribed to drop this here: There will be a public hearing on Maine LD63 An Act to Clarify That Certain Imported Motor Vehicles Are Not Off-road Vehicles, which includes Delicas. There are also two other bills in support of JDM and other Imports to be heard at the meeting, but this is the main one.

March 21, Maine State House, Room 126, 1:00pm. Transportation Committee Public Hearing.

Showing up in support, counts. Legislators on the committee frequently keep notes on how many show up at a weekday afternoon public hearing in support/opposition to bills being considered. You may have to speak, but you don't have to do more than voice approval for the bill(s). Catch? Probably best if you are a Maine resident, or even better, a tourist who drops loads of cash in the state, while sailing down the Golden Road in your Delica.

I'm not really keyed in with the whole JDM Delica/mini-truck scene, so spread the word about this Public Hearing, especially to Maine residents who can show up.
 

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mconlonx said:
Just subscribed to drop this here: There will be a public hearing on Maine LD63 An Act to Clarify That Certain Imported Motor Vehicles Are Not Off-road Vehicles, which includes Delicas. There are also two other bills in support of JDM and other Imports to be heard at the meeting, but this is the main one.

March 21, Maine State House, Room 126, 1:00pm. Transportation Committee Public Hearing.

Showing up in support, counts. Legislators on the committee frequently keep notes on how many show up at a weekday afternoon public hearing in support/opposition to bills being considered. You may have to speak, but you don't have to do more than voice approval for the bill(s). Catch? Probably best if you are a Maine resident, or even better, a tourist who drops loads of cash in the state, while sailing down the Golden Road in your Delica.

I'm not really keyed in with the whole JDM Delica/mini-truck scene, so spread the word about this Public Hearing, especially to Maine residents who can show up.
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Might want to start a new thread for this information...
 
jwampler3012 said:
Furthermore, does this mean I can’t drive to Maine? From the letter in the article it seems like any Delica on the road in ME is a traffic violation!
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I drove my L 400 all through Maine last summer, mostly got curious inquires. The trouble with Maine and other New England states vehicles only last two or three years before they're riddled with rust.
 
I live in Massachusetts and have a place in Maine and have never had a problem in almost 4 years with my vans. MA is great for registration and driving and ME has been great for driving.
I also have a Mitsubishi Bravo; MA is great and have even driven in ME with no problems. 50K of driving with a trip to the top of MT Washington and have never been pulled over.

Corrosion is the issue now...
 
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