Owning an antique car allows you to get antique tags or license plates for your car more easily. There are a number of benefits you can get if you have an antique tag on your car, such as exemption from vehicle inspection, a reduced or waived registration fee, and/or distinctive vehicle registration.
But it is not as easy as just having an antique car. Instead, there are several requirements that you have to meet. The age of your car and your age are the basic requirements for getting an antique tag or license plate for your car.
If you own an antique car and have a plan to register your car to get an antique tag, you should know when you can really put antique tags on your car. To get more information about it, you can dive into our post below. Here you go!
When Can You Get Antique Tags on Your Car?
Since an antique tag is intended for vehicles that are considered antique, vintage, classic, or historic, the age of the vehicle is the basic consideration for getting an antique tag or license plate. Generally, you can register antique tags for your car if it is already more than 25 years old.
In addition to the age of your car, your age is also taken into account when determining whether or not you are eligible for an antique car or license plate for your vehicle. In some states, you must be 25 years old or older to be eligible to get antique tags for your car.
If you’re under 25 years old, you may need another adult, such as your parents, to get an antique tag or license plate for your car. Although it is not clear how the rules came about, it is understandable that antique cars are historic and their owners should be old too. So, the younger generation must hold off until they’re old enough to get it.
It is known that the age of a vehicle that meets the requirements to get antique tags differs from one state to another and is determined by its age at the time the antique vehicle registration is sought. For examples;
- In Connecticut, the age of an antique vehicle must be at least 20 years old.
- In Virginia, the age of an antique vehicle must be 25 years old.
- In Queensland, Sweden, and Brazil, the age of an antique vehicle must be 30 years old.
- In Singapore, the age of an antique vehicle must be 35 years old.
- In the United Kingdom, an antique vehicle must have been built before January 1, 1973.
Because each state determines what constitutes an antique or historic vehicle, each state has a different age requirement for an antique vehicle. In addition, it can cause issues for people who move to a different state since their vehicle will no longer be considered historic enough to get an antique tag or license plate.
Despite getting many benefits from having an antique tag on your car, the owners of an antique vehicle, however, will have restrictions on driving the vehicle. They can only drive their antique vehicle to and from an antique exhibition, parade, service station, or demonstration. However, they are not allowed to drive their antique vehicle for joy rides or transportation for any reason.
How to Get an Antique Tag for Your Car?
If you have a plan to put an antique tag on your car, you have to ensure that your car is eligible to get an antique tag. As we’ve mentioned, the age of your car is the most important consideration. If your car is old enough and meets the criteria in your state, you can then file an application with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to register an antique tag or license plate.
At the DMV, you will follow the same process as when you register any other motor vehicle. However, you may have to fill out a separate special registration form that regulates what type of plate you’ll be allowed to put on your car.
After that, you must provide proof of ownership by showing a properly assigned title or a notarized bill of sale that contains the make, selling price, year, and vehicle identification (VIN) number. In addition, the physical proof of insurance on the vehicle, indicating the issue and expiration dates, may be required.
How Much Does an Antique Tag/ License Plate Cost?
Before registering your car to get an antique tag, you must know the costs and state regulations. Even though antique tags may be less expensive to buy upfront, you may want to avoid having extras.
That’s why you have to follow state restrictions to avoid fines or tickets. Because each state has its own regulations governing the ownership of antique tags, you can’t expect the laws to be the same when you relocate.
- The annual registration is around $17.00 after an antique tag or license plate is issued.
- The registration fee plus tag fee cost $45.50, in addition to personal property taxes and sales tax.
After your antique car is registered, you will be mailed a personal property tax statement every year in December.
The validity period of antique tags will vary depending on the state. On average, the antique tags or license plates will be valid for five years. In some states, they are valid for up to ten years.
For more information, there are a few states that definitely produce original antique tags or license plates based on a driver’s request. However, these antique tags will cost the owner extra, but they add another layer to the authenticity of the vehicle.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
