Antique License Plate

[commoncold]

I live in North Carolina an I was wondering how you go about getting the antique/historic license plates instead of the regular ones. My bronco is eligible for the plates (35 years old) and I'm told that the antique stamped plates exempt your vehicle from inspection and a lot of regulations in NC.

Thanks

 

[berg bronco]

mines a 71 and I dont have to get it inspected. i have a normal plate i was wondering how you got a antique plate as well

 

[pharmin06]

I went to the local tag office to get one for my 73 but left with a regular tag. The antique were uggggly. But that's all you do if you want one

 

[brewchief]

Here in MI you simply go to the secretary of state(same as DWV) and tell them you want historic plates, you are limited on when you can drive(sundays and to shows,parades,etc.) but I have historic plates and drive mine all over and have never been given a second glance, I put on 1000-1500 miles per summer. When I got mine here they were 30$ for ten years.

 

[abe_froman]

^^^thats what I'm wondering about.

I'm going to get my plate tomorrow and I dont know whether to fork over the $$$ every year for new tags or just get antiques and be done with it. I'll be driving it almost everyday...

so my question is, do they really care if you are driving an antique plate everyday?

 

[ocsoorlando]

In Florida you can get a year specific tag, mine is a 71, can get them off ebay pretty cheap. Take it to the DMV, they verify that it is an actual tag then you just pay the registration fee and can put it on the vehicle

 

[red hot71]

In washington theres two ways to do this first you can buy a new antique plates, pay a one time fee and walk away with a new plate with lifetime regestration or find a old plate that was issued new for your year of rig,say 66 or 75 what ever,they have on line all the plates and what they look. When you have the plate(you only need one) you take it to the dmv and they regerster the number to your rig about $100. If you can do this try a swap meet there are venders that specilize in old plates and refinishing them to like new condition or sell good condition used or they will do yours if you have a set already.When it comes to ever day use the law hear say something like recreational use or special events,I see people driving ever day with antique plates so if you are driving to work and you say that, your busted.(not recreational use).Ive found old plates at garage sales for pennys on the dollar compared to the swap meet venders.

 

[Stroppe-Envy-77]

Arizona has the best antique vehicle license plates of all. The "Copper State" stamps them out of copper, with nice red lettering on them.

Wish California would do something cool, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

[mlaird]

texas antique plates are horrible, but i purchased a NOS set of 1975 tx plates off ebay to give it some original tags. just had to take them down to the dmv and register them

 

[ochretoe]

In Tn I just filled out a form and showed the title and got an antique plate. Its a one time fee. I never have to get another plate for it. Saves me $98 a year.

 

[Schreiber]

kinda relevant: License Plate Restoration ... All I had to do was present the tag & title dept a tag that was in good shape and was the same year as my Bronco, and they let me register it as an antique tag instead of buying a new "vintage vehicle" tag

 

[Explorer]

Check your states restrictions on driving. VA has them, same deal, no inspection, limited driving. Must be capable of passing inspection if stopped by a cop, in an accident etc. So many people were doing this to avoid inspection the price has gone up, must take a notorized paper saying it is not your only vehicle (DUH! They have the records!) A guy I know just got a ticket in his Bronco cause he was pulling a small john boat to go fishing. I had them on one vehicle, not worth the hassle.

 

[airbur]

I got my Classic Car plates in CO when I registered it. You pay for 5 years registration up front. Since it's a '70, I never have to deal with emissions or any type of inspections and can drive it year round.

 

[sprdv1]

^^^thats what I'm wondering about.

so my question is, do they really care if you are driving an antique plate everyday?

Just depends on your local pd, and what kinda mood they're in. You have to document miles here, "only drive to events" and such, rubbish. ;D

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Vehicles 35 years and older are excempt from annual safetey inspection in NC regardless of liscense plate

 

[Scoop]

Just depends on your local pd, and what kinda mood they're in. You have to document miles here, "only drive to events" and such, rubbish. ;D

The other thing you've got to worry about is nosey neighbors/co-workers who see you daily driving a vehicle with antique tags and report you. Pissed any of them off lately?? Good way for them to get even!!

Other than the notary thing mentioned by Explorer, pretty easy in VA - $25 lifetime cost, can "self inspect" for safety, no emmissions required. I have them on 3 Broncos and have never been hassled.

 

[abe_froman]

I just decided to get standard tags.

If I was driving a more common vehicle, like an old F-150/C-10/etc I might get antiques but there just arent many EB's on the road, so I'm already drawing attention to myself. No need to give someone another reason to take my money.

 

[Izzy]

I've been thinking about getting antique tags as well but plan to drive it more than once a week. I'm planning to pass inspection first though. My fear is all the horror stories I have heard of people trying to pass inspection. I have already tried once and the guy failed me because I only had one mirror. That is all that is required but because he didn't understand the law he is expect to inspect, he failed me. I'm gonna give it another shot though but if I fail again cause of something stupid like that, then I'm getting the antique tags.

 

[Stoneman]

Anyone familiar with the Maryland laws? I am planning on historic tags, but my rig will be pretty heavily modified (only supposed to be slightly modified). It will definitely not be a daily driver. I would rather pay the lower registration fee and skate the inspection/emissions testing, but I don't want to completely disregard the law.

Also, what do you all recommend for stating the mileage. The odometer will read somewhere around 200 miles. Should state what is on the odometer and note there is a discrepancy from the reading and the actual mileage?

 

[BoltBuster]

As Scoop and Explorer said for VA., I'm not quite clear on the notary issue, other than I may have given something to DMV on it in the past, mine was sort of grandfathered in pre 95'. But they are closer to Rome than I =)

There are two plates in Va. Antique and Vintage both are still a one time fee for registration and life time plate at 50$(I paid $13.50 back in the day)

Antiques are restrictive to daily driving and only for collectors, events and car shows, Which I have (When you see me on the road Im getting parts, charging the battery, burning idle gas or going to some kinda event.) No inspection required.

Vintage plates have no restrictions other than you must have them inspected and you can drive it to the tires fall off.

Google DMV North Carolina Antique plates and go to their site, I think NC is less trouble than the good Ol' common wealth of Va.