To all Texas guys running old plates, my registration is up this month so I want to start using my '53 plates. Whats the process? It should be pretty simple I am guessing. You wouldn't happen to know the forms to use, they are on online, would make it easier to be ready with everything. I bought these plates off ebay and were unregistered plates, does titles registration office check the numbers? Thanks See yall at the Round-Up.
They make copies of the plates and send in for approval. With the appropriate forms. Call the county courthouse and they can tell you where the local office is.
Not sure about Texas but in Oklahoma they are treated like a vanity plate. They take the number off the plate, run a check to make sure the number is not being used, charge you $14 a year for a sticker to run on your windshield and thats it.
You gotta go to the regional DPS office - they make copies of your plates and submit them for approval - you get a letter in the mail saying they've been approved and that you can pick up your metal registration tag at your local courthouse. You have to register the plates in pairs, but you only have to run the rear plate with the metal tag. Also - TX doesn't repeat plate numbers, so it's just a matter of confirming that the plates you want to run are in good shape/legible. The whole process may take a few weeks. You can register as a 'Classic' or 'Antique'... you know which way you're leaning?
Blake, what difference is there between "classic" and "antique"? Are there different rules and regulations for each category? Also, does anyone know what's required to run a YOM plate on a motorcycle? Same as with a car? And 25 yrs old is the cut-off date, correct?
You can get all of your old plate stuff done in a day...I went to the regional place in Farmers Branch (when I was using a Plano perm address...I would go to Denton now) and take the plates. You must have both of them, they made copies, checked something on the computer, and gave me metal tags to put on the plates (I did this years ago for the 50 and last summer for the 62). Be nice to the ladies and they will do anything for you I run Antique Plates on the 32 (I hate Texas 32 plates) so that had to be mailed to me. Motorcycles are the same way. Anitque has more restrictons (I do not remember the specifics) on driving but was more open on changes etc....I think some classics have to still fall under smog regs (what they would have had when new).
Classic still has to be state inspected. Antique or YOM is only to be drive for parades or exhibition purposes. I haven't been pull over or asked about my YOM plates, but I think Krupa got a ticket back when his roadster was his daily.
Thanks for the input guys. I am leaning towards classic, my Olds has/had Antique plates (25 years or older is considered antique) and have been pulled over and warned about it being a "daily" driver back in the Valley. Hey voneyeball, you've got that flat black 53 Olds, saw it at the Continental Club the other night, love those olds man....those suckers seem hard to come by, especially yours being a 2 door, I have a one back home waiting to get shipped up to Austin, need to finish the 3+ year chop top and 2 door conversion.... See ya all at the Round-Up Rey
BASS - what BUZZARD said... 'Classic' still requires annual safety inspection and sticker on windshield, while 'Antique' requires no inspection but you are only supposed to drive during special interest events, to the shop, etc... 'Special interest events' can be any event intended to draw people to check out the cars. I've never been stopped, but I'm always prepared with the "Hey, it's not my fault if all those other guys didn't show up at the 'special interest event' I was headed to" explanation.
Or you can say....no matter where I show up in this car, a gathering attracts. Does that count?? -Jason
I think it applies to bikes, too - here's the link, under 'Registration'. Supposedly, any time more than 3 people gather to check out the car(s) you done got yerself a 'special interest event'... that's what some guy in a chopped Merc told me outside the Continental Club - Houston.
[ QUOTE ] Classic still has to be state inspected. I haven't been pull over or asked about my YOM plates, but I think Krupa got a ticket back when his roadster was his daily. [/ QUOTE ] No ticket just a stern talking to. I told him I was taking it for maintenance (I was going to pick up some front shocks) But he didn't buy it, maybe because it was 7:30am Monday morning You can by law drive it for maintenance reasons (test drive, to the shop, my buddies gonna weld a bracket on for me) any BS will work.
Yes sir officer, I am a mechanic and I'm driving it to work to do some repair on it during my lunch hour today. That's always been my story, but out of my 3 antique registered cars which I drive daily, I have never been pulled over.
But if I am running my '53 truck plates, they won't say antique on them, they would have to run the numbers to find out its antique, in that case all I have to do is remember to keep my burnouts done to a minimum or at least when the coppers aren't around
DMV. will send you a small white metal tag to attach to your back plate so they know its registered antique. Most cops don't really even know what the tag is though.
Most cops(myself included), don't normally mess with antique tagged vehicles...As for registering the old plates, the state simply wants to make sure that the numbers are legible, and if they were reflective, they make sure they are STILL reflective...As said before, Texas doesn't repeat numbers, so they check to see if the plate is stolen, then it's no problem from there...As for me, I know what to look for on antique tags, and the only reason I would run a tag like that is to confirm the year model of the vehicle... JP
[ QUOTE ] Most cops(myself included), don't normally mess with antique tagged vehicles...As for registering the old plates, the state simply wants to make sure that the numbers are legible, and if they were reflective, they make sure they are STILL reflective...As said before, Texas doesn't repeat numbers, so they check to see if the plate is stolen, then it's no problem from there...As for me, I know what to look for on antique tags, and the only reason I would run a tag like that is to confirm the year model of the vehicle... JP [/ QUOTE ] busted!
They say you can only drive them so many miles a year, but they don't ever ask your milage. I added 12,500 miles on the coupe last year. I have been asked about the tags quite a bit, but only pulled over for it once. He just pulled me over because he didn't see any stickers on the windshield. I showed him the registration reciept, which I keep in the car, and showed him the tag on the back. Then he gave me back my license, said "have a nice day", and let me go. Most cops don't know anything about the tags, but most also will not hassle you, unless you give them a reason.
Eric, there's a guy in SA that has a shit load of old Texas plates in pairs, he's kinda pricey but I can try to find his number for ya. First place you should check is the Antique mall on Bunet and 1-83, behind the roller skating rink. There's a both there with a bunch of old plates.
Thanks for the leads....dont think I can fool the cops anymore with my California plates. Had one following me to work a few weeks ago and Im thinking to myself,shit, cant find the proof of insurance, no rear view mirror, and I let the air out of the front at a red light, with him behind me. THank GOD there was a broken down car in the road that he went to go help.....
I just regestered mine a week ago with old plates. I went to the new tax office in Austin on Airport blvd where the Builders Square used to be. With plate in hand and proof of insurance and vin number they handled the whole transaction. I did not have to go to DPS or anywhere else. I regestered classic because I am a pussy and intend to drive the car regularly and follow the rules. I will have to keep the car inspected. PM me if you have anyquestions
Bass, the technical stuff is covered on the website. Good that you read that first. I'll fill in all the between-the-lines stuff at the roundup if you've got questions. I've been running YOM plates of one sort or another since '90.
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