Historic vs Standard plates

[Brett Voigt]

My 912 is about 1 weekend away from being finished and it's about time to change the registration/plates from my old state, to the one I'm living in now... New Jersey. That in mind, I'm debating between historic plates and standard plates. I like the price of historic plates and I believe my 912 would not have to go through emissions testing to get the plates. That in mind, there's a clause that the car can only be used for educational and/or club events. I like to drive it to work every once in a while and I fear that I would one day have to explain the educational value of that... On the flip side, standard plates cost more, and I'm not sure my 912 would pass inspection due to it not having working turn signal and the horn is rather spotty. On the plus side I could drive anywhere I want without any issues. All that in mind, anybody from NJ or a state with similar laws that could offer some advice?

[stomachmonkey]

Get the historic plates and don't sweat it.

They are not going to pull you over just to find out why you are driving the car.

If the question comes up it's because you've done something else.

Just tell them it's a maintenance run, cars need to be driven occasionally.

[stevej37]

Yep...get the historic plate. Here in MI, the same is avail, $30 for 10 years. We don't have any vehicle inspections here , but it was an easy decision for me because of the very low rate for insurance. I only pay $52 per car every 6 months...because of the plates.

[Alan A]

You may need limited use insurance for historic plates.

[Nickshu]

Can you get year of manufacture plates? I have them on my Corvair. I had to find a historic plate dealer who had some in my year, then there is a special process to register the car with them. This would be state specific of course as far as the policies, I'm in Colorado. Maybe NJ is the same.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by Alan A

You may need limited use insurance for historic plates.

In TX we have two types of historic plates.

Antique, at least 25 years old, reduced tag fee / registration, good for 5 years, no inspection, limited to event and maintenance driving and as crazy as it sounds no insurance required.

Classic, at least 25 years old, standard tag fee, good for 5 years, no inspection, can daily drive, insurance required.

I run classic plates to avoid the inspection hassle and annual tribute payment.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

Can you get year of manufacture plates? I have them on my Corvair. I had to find a historic plate dealer who had some in my year, then there is a special process to register the car with them. This would be state specific of course as far as the policies, I'm in Colorado. Maybe NJ is the same.

same here. I have had YOM plates since 1999 on the '74. Here in TX a car must be at least 25 YO to have YOM plates. They cost the same to renew each year as regular plates which is around $65 but no restrictions on driving.

I got my 1974 YOM plates from a junktique type shop. Paid 20$ for a set of never issued '74 plates.

Unfortunately, in late 70's TX went to plates that didn't have year stamped on, you got a small reflective sticker with the year when you renewed each year so no more YOM plates from then on.

[kach22i]

No custom order on the historic type of plate unless you find one already issued.

Do you care that much what your plate says?

[74-911]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

..... Classic, at least 25 years old, standard tag fee, good for 5 years, no inspection, can daily drive, insurance required.

I run classic plates to avoid the inspection hassle and annual tribute payment.

SM are we talking about the same thing ?? YOM plates have be renewed and the car pass inspection every year... at least mine do ??

[stevej37]

10 year tags...$30

[dafischer]

I live in NJ as well, and have historic plates on both cars. I've never had a problem, and have never been stopped and questioned about my destination in the 10 plus years that I've had the plates. That includes when I drove them to work occasionally along Rt. 78. The law on restrictions seems pretty toothless, and the benefits far outweigh the negatives.

[Joe Bob]

One problem, in some states they only issue on plate. If you drive in a state that has a two plate requirement it's a red flag to an over eager Barney Fife.

As to insurance I don't think they give a rat's ass as most reference your VIN# only. I've had Historical plates many times. Was never an issue except for occasional WTF comments from the public.

[blucille]

historic plates in NJ are the way to go, I've run them on every old car I've owned since I moved back here in '99....no restrictions that matter, no need for a front tag, no cost after the initial $40, no renewals, no inspections.

[Joe Bob]

Some states you are exempt from inspection, of course not in CA, unless 75 MY and older.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

As to insurance I don't think they give a rat's ass as most reference your VIN# only. I've had Historical plates many times. Was never an issue except for occasional WTF comments from the public.

Won't make any diff for ins....unless you have it insured as an historical vehicle...which I do. They required me to show proof of the hist plate before they would continue the rate that I get....(post #3)

[froggert]

I'm in NJ with historic plates as well. In addition to what everyone else said above, American Collectors didn't care what type of license plate I had. When i switch from regular plates to historic, they noted the new plate number in their system but that's it.

[matthewb0051]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

One problem, in some states they only issue on plate. If you drive in a state that has a two plate requirement it's a red flag to an over eager Barney Fife.

I usually don't like Virginia but in this case they have it right.

For historic / antique vehicles, you are exempt from a front license plate if your manufacturer did not provide location for such or it was not part of the vehicle in the year of manufacture. Nice.

[stevej37]

Michigan...no front plate required on any passenger vehicle
no vehicle inspections required
plate fees can be transferred from a lower value car to a higher one (as many vehicles you want) (this is a biggie)

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

One problem, in some states they only issue on plate. If you drive in a state that has a two plate requirement it's a red flag to an over eager Barney Fife.

As to insurance I don't think they give a rat's ass as most reference your VIN# only. I've had Historical plates many times. Was never an issue except for occasional WTF comments from the public.

I have driven my 911 in 37 states with just a rear plate. I did smile and almost giggle when in California at a gas station I saw a motorcycle cop pull in and look at my 911. He saw no front plate and walked to the back of my car. He saw my Oklahoma tag and walked away. I have driven to California three times and spent close to a month total there. I never had the slightest issue with just one tag.

[Arizona_928]

In az you get two copper plates. Can't personalize. No restrictions besides being 25 years old.