Say what.....you mean if someone bought a Batmobile then they couldn't drive it????? If that's the case, then I have to wonder what is the point of even getting one then.
Well, this would apply only to official Batmobiles, like the ones actually used in the movies. The contract stuff I read was specifically for one from the Keaton movies, if my memory doesn't fail me. I imagine the restriction exists mostly so that Warner Bros. can be the only ones make money off appearances. There could be safety issues, too. Those things were not built for regular streets, so driving them could actually be illegal in some places.
Custom built replicas are another matter; as long as those are street legal, I don't think anyone can stop them from being driven.
On an interesting, and kind of related note, here as I was just searching for some info on Batmobiles, here's an article I found regarding Batmobiles possibly being copyrighted, etc.:
I'm not surprised. Well, actually I would have thought this would come under trademark laws rather than copyright. Same results, though. The Batmobile is an iconic part of the Batman franchise. Warner Bros. has to actively try to protect that franchise or they could lose the ability to stop mass production of unofficial Batmobiles.
It could certainly apply to other props that have distinguishing features. In that linked page, I saw another link about a similar suit involving Power Ranger Halloween costumes, so there's an example right there. The costumes cannot be copyrighted, but important marks that are recognizable as being part of Power Rangers - the helmet designs, logos, the diamond shapes - those are another matter. Something like Yoda's cane is probably not protected like this - it's just piece of wood. Captain America's shield is a unique, easily recognizable item that would be protected, though.