Sales tax is relatively low at 4.15 percent, and its calculated on the sale price listed on the bill of sale, so youre not at the mercy of the inconsistent values in a NADA price guide, especially if your car is less than perfect. The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities. Make your case in the comments below and congratulations, Minnesota. The state follows the OBD-II-era (1996-or-newer-only) requirement for emissions testing, which is great for most classic vehicle owners. David Dennis has a warning, though. U.S. News & World Report ranks Arizona among the top 25 percent in Road Quality. We wanted to determine which states are the most classic-vehicle friendly and then rank them by their overall consideration for owners of older cars. Its actually great for one reason: how easy it is to deal with the DMV. Vehicles with Historic plates are subject to the parades and special events restrictions of most other states, but there doesnt appear to be a mileage cap or a day-of-the-week restriction. Introduced in July 2012, "The Texas Classic" is designed to provide Texans the highest public safety protection. There isnt a safety or emissions inspection that a vintage plate would help you avoid anyway. One weird thing in Maine is that you can use a vintage plate on your antique vehicle as long as you keep the official plate inside the vehicle, he says. Dont do that. Despite its generally lousy weather, Minnesota posted an amazing score for its vintage car friendlinessthe best of the bunch, in fact. Emissions are only required in Cumberland County (basically, in Portland) and only for cars newer than 1996. Theres a title requirement, but in recent years, its gotten a lot easier to buy a heap without a title and register it legally. The tags are only $15, and taxesincluding the state tax and any county taxis 4 percent tops. Antique are emissions-exempt, and I believe classic are too since they fall into the drive less than 5K miles category., Taxes are significant, too. There are some beautiful roads in Hawaii, but U.S. News & World Report ranks both the traffic and road quality near the bottom. According to what we could find on the Louisiana DMV website, there arent a whole lot of restrictions to having a vintage vehicle plate, but getting one is slightly more involved than other states. The issuance of antique license plates generally requires applicants to submit a completed application form along with payment for the set fees. The Ocean State also assesses a labyrinthine excise tax every year. $32 000. West Virginia doesnt have an emissions inspection, so you dont have to worry about that at all if your vintage car interests include cars from the 90s. Theres a good explanation of the title procedure on the DMV website worth looking at. Washington would get a much higher score if traffic and road conditions werent rated 42nd and 40th by the U.S. News & World Report. On the plus side, Georgia gets only about 2.9 inches of snow every year, so youre safe never having to store your car for the winter. This can be a pain when you're driving on fumes trying to find an ethanol-free gas station. No state accomplished that, but three states finished with more than 800 points. Williamstown resident David LaChance registered a 1966 Volvo P1800 project car that he hauled home on a trailer and wouldnt be roadworthy for years. Does that make it a better place to own a classic then? Vehicles registered as "Antiques" areexemptfrom annual inspection. That can save a lot of bucks versus registering a vehicle just a few miles north in Massachusetts, where a $500 Falcon can easily cost hundreds in sales tax based on the book value. Connecticut does not have a safety inspection on classic cars as listed above. New Mexico ranks #14 in America in terms of short commutes, but unfortunately ranks #41 for road quality. Per state regulations, TX antique car tags are assigned to vehicles that are at least 25 years old, are collectors items and are used for parades, exhibitions and other public events. Pocket bikes do not meet the statutory requirements of a motor assisted scooter as stated in Chapter 551.351 of the Texas Transportation Code. Antique is over 25 years of age. When applying for classic license plates in TX, drivers will also need to present an application form, payment for an annual registration fee, as well as a copy of the certificate of title or another document of ownership, provided the vehicle was not registered within the last five years. The Texas Legislature needs to hear from Texans tired and fed up with costly, unnecesssary but mandatory annual vehicle inspections. They taxed it like it was a Pebble Beach candidate, he says. Depending on where you live you could see a ton of snow, but even then, Oregon doesnt use salt, so cars and trucks tend to be in relatively rust-free condition after a lifetime of use. Historic registration doesnt appear to get you out of the states biennial safety inspection, but you do avoid the emissions inspection in St. Louis County if your car is from the 1996 model year or older. So there you have it, classic car owners. Iowa has Antique vehicle registration, but were not sure theres any point to obtaining it other than vanity. Good luck figuring out how to determine how much you owe, because we failed algebra, and youll definitely need some skills. Youll only need a bill of sale to register the vehicle. Motor vehicles used for competitive racing, such as modified stock cars, dragsters, and hot rods may be inspected. New Hampshire doesnt issue a title for vehicles older than that, either, so you save the title fee when you register. Ohio doesnt have a safety inspection, and theres a 25-year cap for emissions requirements, so most of us are out of the woods. The registration of classic cars may also require a safety inspection on an annual basis. Ohio have restrictions for on cars with Historical vehicle plates, but the requirements dont seem onerous, and given the fact that you see an awful lot of them around at car shows, theyre probably worth having versus standard registration. Unfortunately, Colorado ranks 30th in commute time and 29th in road quality, according to U.S. News & World Report. How to Register a Vehicle in Texas. Be sure to check reconstructed or rebuilt vehicles for all required items of inspection with particular attention to the lighting devices. Despite Ferris Buellers adventure in the Ferrari, the weather and traffic in Chicago is brutal on a vintage car. Sales tax for vintage cars is calculated on your bill of sale, which is a lot more legitimate that using some bogus price guide. Typically, an antique vehicle is defined by its age at the time at which antique vehicle . Vehicle Inspection Station Application V. Vermont is deceiving because its numerical score is so low. Upgrading the leaf springs on my 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, 2024 Corvette E-Ray First Ride: A Vette like no other, 2024 Corvette E-Ray Revealed: 655-hp, AWD hybrid is the quickest Vette ever, 5 affordable classics that ended 2022 on a high, I cant abandon this giant, crappy motorcycleand Ive tried, Batteries or hydrogen? The weather is about the only reason not to be excited to own a vintage car in Montana. The fees are super cheap, so if your state dings you for registering your car trailer, give Maine a shot. The vehicle can be taken to a Sheriffs office for VIN verification and then the owner can apply for a new Kentucky title. One bit of good news is that Missouri allows an owner to bond a title if the original title isnt present. Massachusetts isnt a fantastic place to own a vintage car. Alabama makes it really easy for vintage car owners to register their vehicles. Then theres the notorious traffic, which can make getting to those fantastic roads an exercise in drudgery. Greg Giacchi owns a Datsun 280Z, a second-generation Supra and a second-gen Trans Am, and says, No complaints here in New Jersey. Sales tax is moderate at just 5 percent, and outside of Charlotte, the roads are in comparably decent shape and uncrowded. Beware of that last one, however. Proof of financial responsibility for yourself and the vehicle You will also need to bring at least one clear photo of the vehicle you will be registering. And outside of Atlanta Metro, the roads in the region are spectacular. Snow, ice, and salt litter the road surfaces starting as soon as late October, although recently the first major snowfall hasnt happened until January. The sales tax is relatively high at 6 percent, but it appears to be calculated on the bill of sale, which is a huge advantage versus calculation by a NADA price guide. Thats a unique win for restorers in Colorado. Head lamps shall be of a type acceptable by the Department. The DMV will give you a stern warning that cars with SP plates may only be driven on special occasions, such as to car shows or club meetings, or to be serviced and repaired. U.S. News & World Report ranked North Dakota #2 in road quality and #3 in commute time, meaning you wont be spending a lot of your time idling in traffic. Previous General-Issue Plate Designs Oh, yeahthey said dont bother trying to appeal it.. Only relatively high taxation keeps the state out of the running for the best state in the Union for classic ownership. Kansas is another state that seems motivated to provide information to its constituents about registering classic cars. Seriously, the equations are absurd. Youre begging for A) an audit and B) your insurance company to refuse to pay a claim when your car burns up in a garage in New Jersey. Miniature motorcycles are illegal to operate on public roadways. Now, using a VTR-850 Classic - TxDMV.GOV - Txdmv takes no more than 5 minutes. Most people who abuse Antique Plates use the Im driving home from my mechanic excuse, but the troopers have heard every excuse in the book. Iowa requires a title for all vehicles at the time of registration and theres no language obvious that allows any kind of surety bond in its place. Please check with your vehicle manufacturer (Ford, Honda, Nissan, etc.) Your expiration month will not change. Thats not a bad thing for clean air, but its a really bad thing if youre just trying to register a car for occasional use. DMV.com is a privately owned website that is not affiliated with any government agencies. Taxation is also pretty brutal in Missouri, depending on your county. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Frankly, we didnt even check whether California requires a title from other states when registering a classic car, because the hassle of registering a post-1975 car from another state isnt worthwhile. State By State: Differences In How States Handle Driver’s License Renewals, Washington State Passes New Distracted Driving Law That Bans Holding a Cellphone While Driving, An Application for Title and Registration (form 130-U), A Rebuilt Vehicle Statement and registration receipt (if your vehicle was last registered in a non-title state), A certificate of weight and photograph of the vehicle, A current vehicle safety inspection (if applicable), A Vehicle Inspection Report, if your vehicle was previously titled in another state. Yet, California doesnt always make it easy on car owners. Somer also notes, Vehicles over 25 years old can be titled on a Bill of Sale.. With nine categories receiving a maximum point total of 100 each, a perfect score would be 900. DMV.com is a privately-owned website and is not affiliated with government agencies. You need an affidavit signifying a physical inspection by the police, a notarized bill of sale and a statement saying youre a member of a classic car club, which appears to be unique to Louisiana. Joe Severns notes that years ago, he only needed a bill of sale on a 1964 Mercedes-Benz Heckfloss some years ago, but the states website notes that titles are required for 1962 and newer cars now. Sales tax is a mid-level 5 percent. This applies to brake requirements, exhaust systems, as well as any other item required in these provisions. Personalized with 7 characters: $195 for 1 year. The government does take a bite.. Jeff Zurschmeide notes, If you bring a car in from out of state, Oregon requires a VIN inspection. Have your vehicle inspected at a certified inspection station. The DMVs website doesnt say you cant drive the car on a weekday, but if youre driving it to a shop, it must be within 100 miles of home, and youre limited to only 1000 miles of driving per year. Classic Car plates are reserved for those recognized by the Classic Car Club of America. [The DMV makes] you go to the State Police station and get approval. You can register it as a classic car and pay $40 for driving it with no restrictions. The miniature motorcycles, also known as pocket bikes and pocket rockets, can only be operated on private property. Where everything falls apart is taxation. It is possible if you actually use old parts (like a 1965 engine, or complete 60s frame and power train) that the vehicle will be registered as that model year (replica), but that is determined byTexas DMV. VI-87A.pdf. A certified copy of Previous Bill of Sale or certified copy of two years Tag and Tax receipts of previous owner.. Vehicle manufacturers have to certify that their vehicles meet EPA emissions standards. Learn more about custom and antique license plates rules in Texas in the following sections. But we digress. You can also register it as an antique car for just $10 a year and only use it during special events and exhibitions. Texas likes to brand itself as a free-wheeling Libertarian paradise, but registering a vintage car is just as complicated and costly as any other state, and sometimes more confusing. Street Rod plates are for 1948 or earlier with modifications. However, we would like to encourage you to register so that you can join the community and use the numerous features on the site. Classic registration is cheap at just $16, and you only pay the fee once if the car is registered. The plates are comparatively expensive versus other states$80 up front and $55 to renew every yearand dont really provide any benefits since youre not avoiding inspections. New Mexico Statute 66-3-27 NMSA 1978 lays out the requirements for its Horseless Carriage registration. If your older car doesnt have a title, you can still register it with a surety bond, as in many other states. I would think California has the most collector cars due to the amount of cars at car shows every weekend some where! The roads rank pretty high, according to U.S. News & World Report at #15, and the commute time is the eighth-best in America. But other than that, its something of a paradiseboth in general and for classic car owners. Theres no state DMV, for example. New Jersey is not particularly unfriendly to vintage cars. The title situation isnt great, either. An accurate weight certificate for the vehicle being registered. Texas requires that all safety and emissions components for that model year vehicle be installed and operational. Its a rather lengthy and detailed procedure, but at least it exists, without the requirement of purchasing an often-expensive surety bond. It is the first license plate in the country to feature two, high-visibility security threads embedded into the plate sheeting, making it easier for law enforcement to spot legitimate plates. 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