Antique license plates

[chop_suey]

Who has them? What are the advantages of having one? Are there insurance discounts etc?

Thanks for the input

[flyboyx]

different states have different rules. the advantage is that its usually a very cheap registration. i think they generally look like something that belongs on a model t.

[doorman]

different states have different rules. the advantage is that its usually a very cheap registration. i think they generally look like something that belongs on a model t.

This is the first thing that came to mind when I read the title.

I have a hard time considering my e30 an "antique"!!!

Antiques are for old people.......I don't want to admit I'm one yet!

[mbonder]

I have a 1973 MGB that's registered as an antique.

In NJ you pay a one time registration fee of $44 plus the cost of plates (vanity plates are additional).

The insurance is pretty damn cheap, I think I pay $203/year for 5,000 miles and agreed upon value comprehensive coverage.

The caveat is that antique plates are supposed to be for show vehicles only and aren't meant to be driven for daily driver duty. I've never heard of anyone getting pulled over for it, but there is the possibility. I wouldn't want to drive my MGB every day as it doesn't have much cargo space, can only carry one extra person, and doesn't have A/C or heat really, plus the top is a glorified tarp so rain will get in if its more than a drizzle. But for cruising around in the evenings or on a mid 70 degree day, its excellent and I have fun with it every now and then.

[Das Delfin]

It depends which state you're in. In CT the only break you get with antique plates is initial registration is a bit cheaper and annual car taxes are WAY cheaper. Insurance is the same and there is no limit to how often you can drive the car.

Mine say "Early American" on them but idgaf because I'm just glad to have the option of classic plates. Coming from CA, where the only way to get classic plates is to buy an old car that happens to still have its old plates

They started doing that thing where they reproduce the old plates but that was after I left

[ST1G]

Idaho has classic plates. You only have to display the rear, they are all white with black letters and say "classic". You only pay registration once but can't DD, and if they catch you you can get a ticket. I'm sure it's similar in other states.

[marshallnoise]

It depends which state you're in. In CT the only break you get with antique plates is initial registration is a bit cheaper and annual car taxes are WAY cheaper. Insurance is the same and there is no limit to how often you can drive the car.

Mine say "Early American" on them but idgaf because I'm just glad to have the option of classic plates. Coming from CA, where the only way to get classic plates is to buy an old car that happens to still have its old plates

They started doing that thing where they reproduce the old plates but that was after I left

They are starting to give you the option of blue or black plates now in California. I'll be going black on the plates of my e34 just to match the car color. I think its only $35 more a year on registration.

[dlmpsy]

As I recall (in WV), you can drive the car to shows, the mechanic and mostly on the weekend. Not for daily drivers. One big advantage is the insurance is much cheaper, and you can insure the car for a much higher value than is typical for an "old" car...very handy since in many instances a minor fender bender would mean the insurance company would want to total your car and give you almost nothing. No inspection sticker is required.

[chop_suey]

May have to get one. In SC, they take your old title and give you a new one that is marked "antique vehicle" . Is that true in other states as well?

[jrossowvue30]

In VA you have to prove that you have another car registered that is not an antique before they'll let you get antique plates. They are lifetime tags meaning you buy them when you register, no yearly renewal and cheaper registration. You are only supposed to drive it on a limited basis like in other states. Insurance is also cheaper. Only issue I had was with my insurance (State Farm) who needed to inspect my car before they would insure it as an antique. They claim the car needed to be in good shape before they would insure it, not sure if that was just my agent's policy or company wide, the website says it covers antiques in all various conditions.

[Das Delfin]

I should add that my insurance is completely separate from my registration and I have full coverage atm, though if I wanted to insure the car as an antique car I would be limited to miles driven, parked in a garage, etc. It varies by state but I guess CT isn't that bad... for once