LANSING, Mich.—Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed a bill requiring used tire sellers to comply with the same anti-theft standards already in place for used vehicle parts merchants.
Michigan Senate Bill 331 adds motor vehicle tires, wheels, rims and continuous tire treads to the list of used vehicle components covered under a law requiring dealers in used parts to maintain records for at least one year concerning the buying or receiving of any used vehicle part.
The record must include a general description of the tire or part, the identification number of the vehicle from which the part came, the part's state of origin, the date of the transaction and the name of the individual conducting the transaction on the dealer's behalf.
Bill 331 expressly forbids the use of cash in a transaction involving used tires, rims, wheels or treads. Only checks, money orders, bank drafts and direct deposits or electronic transfers to the customer's account are allowed.
Dealers must record the names, dates of birth, driver's license numbers and street addresses of those selling used parts to dealers, as well as legible imprints of the sellers' right thumbs, according to the new law. They must also record the numbers of checks, money orders, bank drafts or direct deposits made to those selling parts.
In the case of used tires, wheels, rims or treads, the dealers must place tags containing the transaction number on the goods in question.
Dealers who knowingly violate these laws are subject to a year in prison, a $1,000 fine or both. For repeat violations, the penalty increases to two years in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.
Gov. Snyder signed the bill May 10, and it becomes effective in 90 days.