TheSamba.com :: View topic - For those who have Antique Plates (In VA at least)

Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:36 pm

Im not sure of the regulations set forth by different states, but here in Virginia new laws are going into effect for those operating motor vehicles wth Antique plates.
-Me

Antique License Plates and Special Plates -
Virginia motorists who own antique vehicles should be aware of several changes governing the use of antique license plates.
Applicants for antique license plates must show evidence of ownership or regular use of another passenger car or motorcycle.
Applicants must submit notarized certification that their antique vehicle meets safety equipment requirements for the model year in which it was manufactured.
Fees charged for registration and plate purchase changes from $10 annually to a one-time fee of $50.
Antique plates are available from DMV for vehicles with a model year that is more than 25 years old. New guidelines for these cars were prompted by concerns that many owners were registering older cars as antiques to avoid registration and safety inspection requirements.
Under the new law, if an antique vehicle owner is convicted of operating an antique vehicle determined to be unsafe or not properly equipped, DMV will suspend the owner's registration of the vehicle involved for five years.
Also beginning July 1, 2007, the authorization period begins for the following new special license plates approved by the 2007 session of the General Assembly: Fraternal Order of Police, Registered Nurses, United States Coast Guard, and Robert E. Lee. For each of the special plates authorized, DMV must receive 350 prepaid applications within 30 days beginning July 1, before moving forward with plate development.

Wed Jul 18, 2007 6:18 pm

I see a loophole around that. It's what I was gonna do anyway -
Use 'Vintage' or YOM Plates.

From http://www.dmv.virginia.gov/webdoc/citizen/vehicles/antique.asp

www.dmv.virginia.gov wrote:
Antique and Vintage License Plates

If you own a passenger vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer or motorcycle with a model year that is more than 25 model years old before January 1 of the current calendar year, you've got an antique! Depending on how you plan to use your vehicle, you may choose antique, vintage or any one of our standard license plates. Antique license plates are provided by DMV; vintage license plates are original Virginia license plates issued prior to 1976 that you provide. Antique vehicles must be insured with motor vehicle liability insurance or you must pay the uninsured motor vehicle fee.

Is your antique vehicle just for show…?

If you plan to use your antique vehicle or trailer solely as a collector's item, you may register your vehicle with antique license plates or permanent vintage license plates.

Registering your vehicle either of these ways limits your use of the vehicle to:

1. Participation in antique car club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar events.
2. Testing its operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, selling the vehicle or trailer, transportation to and from events as described in number 1 above and for the occasional pleasure driving not to exceed 250 miles from your residence.
3. Carrying or transporting passengers, personal effects or other antique motor vehicles being transported for show purposes.

You may not, however, use your vehicle for general, daily transportation. This includes, but is not limited to, driving to and from work.

If you are providing vintage license plates,

* The issue year of the license plate must match the model year of the vehicle.
* DMV must inspect and approve their physical condition.

To register your vehicle with antique or permanent vintage license plates, DMV charges a one-time fee. Use forms VSA14 or VSA 10, and VSA 10B.

* Your license plates will be valid for as long as you own the vehicle.
* You may not transfer your license plates to another vehicle, but you may surrender them to DMV and then register them to a different vehicle for an additional fee.
* Unless the vehicle was manufactured for one license plate only, you must display license plates on the front and the rear of your vehicle.
* Using the "Antique Vehicle Applicant Certification," VSA 10B, you must also certify that you own, or have regular use of, another vehicle, without antique plates, for daily use and that the vehicle or trailer you want to register with antique plates meets the safety requirements for the model year in which it was manufactured and can be driven safely on the highways of Virginia.

If you own a vehicle or trailer that was registered with antique license plates issued prior to July 1, 2007, you will be required to submit a completed "Antique Vehicle Applicant Certification," VSA 10B, to DMV before January 1, 2008. DMV will cancel your antique vehicle registration if you do not send in the certification by the deadline.

However, my favourite law this year is:

Quote:
No More Using Cell Phones for Drivers under Age 18

Virginia drivers younger than 18 years of age may not operate a motor vehicle in Virginia while using a cellular telephone or other wireless communications devices. The new law prohibits the use of cell phones, even if they are considered to be hands-free. It also prohibits text-messaging while driving.

Except in a driver emergency or when the vehicle is lawfully parked or stopped, drivers 18 years and younger may not use a cellular telephone or other wireless telecommunications device. All Virginia drivers under the age of 18 are issued provisional driver's licenses. A provisional license carries other limitations as well, such as restrictions on the number of passengers and driver curfews. The ban on cell-phone usage while driving is considered a secondary violation, similar in Virginia to safety belt laws.

Thu Jul 19, 2007 6:51 am

However, the DMV was 'specifically' clear on the "Vintage plate aspect" as there are in fact 3 types of antique plates. The Black/White and their Black/Yellow as issued by the DMV - AND the White/Black vintage plates that display the year of the vehicle but can not be issued by the DMV. (As I believe private dealers can trade them?) I know that mine were purchased from a car show a while back and I had them transferred to my name. (Even though it took the DMV a while to do this...) I ended up getting stopped twice saying that my plates werent coming back as registered to my car. Of course upon further investigation they did see that they were in fact registered to (my car) and (me) but also sold from one person to the guy who sold the car to me and then me.
I love em though ;)
-Me

Thu Jul 19, 2007 4:34 pm

They've changed the law many times before. You used to have to pay a registration fee every year. Then they made you pay AND put the month/year stickers on your YOM plates (!) but I only saw one sap who actually did. Then, a few years ago they sent me a letter saying that registering an antique was a one-time deal. I payed the fee and have never been billed since - and I've bought and registered another antique not long ago with similar results. So it's weird to read this:

Quote: Fees charged for registration and plate purchase changes from $10 annually to a one-time fee of $50.

The DMV site says this:

To register your vehicle with antique or permanent vintage license plates, DMV charges a one-time fee. Use forms VSA14 or VSA 10, and VSA 10B.

* Your license plates will be valid for as long as you own the vehicle

Used to be the law was that you could drive your old car, "to and from the shop, to and from a show or event, or for pleasure driving." That "pleasure driving" was always the loophole. I drive my '67 Plymouth to work every so often and have never been bothered - I think you'd have to run into a real anal State boy for that to happen. In fact, an old car buddy of mine drives his YOM plated '64 Dodge to work every day and hasn't been pulled over yet (tho I haven't talked to him in a few years).

Oh well, I hope it won't be too much of a hassle to register an antique in the future. Guess I'll have to find a forgiving state inspector again - do you know of any in NoVa?

Fri Jul 20, 2007 1:12 pm

This is frustrating.

I love the idea of not having to take your classic to some dufus at a service station to tell you that it won't pass safety inspection, simply because it is too old. (my mini does not have reverse lights)

I love the idea of not having to do emissions for a car not used too frequently. (any of you guys that are running catless with downdraft webers are nodding your head)

I don't mind paying every year (it was nice not to, but I am not too upset about that one)

What I am upset about is the penalty. Anyone interested in taking their classic to work on a nice day may be faced with a five year suspension of their registration. Before it was just a non-moving violation.... I don't like this part either...

"Any owner of an antique vehicle, trailer or motorcycle registered with pursuant to VA code 46.2-730, will be guilty of a class 4 felony if convicted of a violation of antique plate usage. The conviction will cause the owner's registration for the vehicle involved in the violation to be revoked for a five year period from the date of the conviction,"

I use both YOM plates, and the classic blacks. There is no difference with the regisration. You can use them for regular registration, too. You just have to put stickers on them, pass emissions, and display state inspection.

http://www.minimania.com/web/startreturn/1/MaxRetu...thread.cfm

discussion on another thread about this.