Here is a link to the new year of manufacture license plate law summary that was posted today on the Indiana government website. http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title9/ar18/ch12.html takes effect January 1st.
A couple more thoughts: The vehicle must first have a antique plate or qualify for that plate. The law for a Indiana antique plate states the vehicle must be inspected by a Indiana State Trooper and also the engine may not be changed. ( actually i think it says the engine must be of orginal type and hp) May not ever mean anything but that is what it says ???
I thought i had read the engine issue somewhere before. I just downloaded the inspection form for a Indiana antique vehicle form Affidavit for Inspection Antique Vehicle # 37935 from the bmv web site. It says in small print : "Motor must be of simular type and power as orginally made for the vehicle" I just hope i can convince the trooper my 322 CI GMC Six was a standard Model A engine ??
As a director for the Indiana ISRA Indiana Street Rod Association i am very interested in this new plate law , not to count i would like to take advantage of it myself. I will get in to a branch and see if i can get a straight answer and clarify the " antique " issue. I will post my findings on the hamb and write it up in the ISRA SOS magazine..
The Auto Clubs Council of Indiana in Kokomo held a workshop in October that had a lady from the BMV there. See their site at www.acc-indiana.org to check it out. Although very vague, the lady mentioned some confusing items. I don't think they know all of what to do exactly and it should be fun watching it come to life. Supposedly if you have let's say the number 49F1000 for a 1963 plate, that number is no good for any year other than that. That's what everyone heard there. That would be stupid. I can see where the years where their were pairs like Pre-1954 that you wouldn't want 2 plates from the same year with the same number, but what if someone has that 49F1000 on a 1964 plate? What happens if it used today on your current plate. She said that number is taken and is no good. Also, someone should have had their ears and eyes open to this little passage of the law. You need to register the vehicle as an Historical Antique Vehicle. Ohio does that so the HAV plate they give you then gets the stickers on it every year so as not to clutter up your nice old plate displayed on the back of your car. BUT, the NEW version of the HAV law just passed last year limits you to how much you can drive your old vehicle. Seems someone wanted a reprise from the County Wheel Tax that some pay in their county and in order to do do away with the wheel tax they will make sure you won't drive your vehicle much at all. http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2007/HB/HB1327.2.html see this to check it out or here is the point I was making. (d) An antique motor vehicle registered under this chapter: (1) may not be used for general transportation; and (2) may only be used for participation in: (A) club activities; (B) exhibitions; (C) tours or rallies; (D) parades; and (E) other related activities. <!-- WP Comment <!-- End of font TimesNewRomanRegular with size 10 -->Someone was asleep at the watch dog groups I would say. So the question is do you pay to buy a nice old plate, pay the BMV extra for putting it into a database, pay again to get the vehicle inspected, only to be limited to when and where you can drive your vehicle displaying the plate? Sounds idiotic to me, but then again we are dealing with the State Politicians and the Indiana BMV. I will sit back and watch to see how it unfolds over the next few months and see how much feedback there is here and other sites.
I have a 1948 tag ,but I think I want to drive my truck any time I want want too.. So the tag goes on the wall...
I bought a personalized plate with the same number as my YOM plate I have been saving. Now my registration reads that number. I plan on switching back and forth? Remember the police don't always know the rules either! I will carry both plates with the car, but can drive as much as I want. If I end up in jail will you Hoosier Hambers help with bail?
The Jalopy Journal
