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Sat Jul 12, 2014 10:50 pm

Need some with the registration and classic car tags. I currently live in Atlanta and looking into moving to Huston. In Georgia we are able to register our classic with a classic plates. And no retricitons where and when we can drive. We only need to. Keep a current tag and affidavit in the car. And we can run a registerd classic tag which has to be the same year as the car.

Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:47 am

For Antique Plates you agree to the following on Form VTR 54:
The frame, body and motor are at least 25 years old, and the vehicle is a collector’s item that will be used solely for exhibition, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest (replicas do not qualify for Antique plates). The vehicle will not be used for regular transportation except when routine maintenance is needed. The vehicle will not carry advertising.

For classic plates you agree to the following on Form VTR 850:
My signature indicates that I am the owner of the above-described vehicle, which is at least 25 years old, and is a passenger car, truck, motorcycle, or travel trailer with a manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of 10,000 lbs. or less.

Additionally if you want to run Year of Manufacturer (YOM) plates it states the following:
If you own license plates that are the same year as the classic vehicle, you have the option of using old plates instead of new Classic specialty plates, if the plates pass examination. The old license plates must be examined at your local County Tax Assessor- Collector's office or a TxDMV Regional Service Center before submitting this application. The old license plates must be original plates in good, readable condition and have the same color scheme as the original Texas license plates.

Classic plates require annual safety inspections because they can be driven daily. Antiques are a one time deal. Some skirt around the antique rule by being the sole member of their club so every drive is a club function :roll: This should give you an idea what you are in for. Good Luck

Tue Jul 15, 2014 4:49 pm

What's the advantage of antique plates, no safety inspection? Do you have to register it every year or is it a one time thing?

Wed Jul 16, 2014 6:42 am

No inspection on Antique plates. Sticker is for a 5 year renewable term. Limited driving per antique-not what you would want for a daily driver. If you just go to shows, to your mechanic and pleasure driving then it's ideal. You can have antique plates or approved YOM plates.

Fri Jul 18, 2014 12:53 am

In Oklahoma I have a 1966 license plate on my Bug and have it registered as a Vintage Car. I don't have to put stickers on the plate every year but I do have to have a new Vintage registration sticker on the windshield.

Fri Jul 18, 2014 1:45 pm

First off, welcome to Texas. It's not Oklahoma

So here's the deal. If your car won't pass inspection, horn doesnt work, the high beams wont work, etc you can register it as an antique. You can use YOM plates, they give you a little metal tab for the sticker on the plate. Don't let the tax office give you the windshield tag if you are registering it as an antique, sometimes they don't know what they are doing either.

I have done all of VW's and my Porsche this was since moving to Houston. I have never had any problems, and I drove them regularly, but not daily. I have asked around, and I have never heard of anyone getting in trouble doing so. You can drive them for maintainance, and I think they know all you have to say is that you did some work on it last night / earlier and doing a shake down run. Don't be an a-hole and you shouldnt have any problems. The cops here in Houston have plenty of real criminals to find, not harass you in your vintage car

If it will pass an inspection, then just do it, but it has to be inspected every year. It's not much, the only thing is that then you do have to have a front and back plate on the car, and the stickers in the window (the inspection and registration sticker) I know someone with regular tags and inspection on his 1929 Chevy, bone stock. He wanted to do it just 'cause he could

If you do register antique, the Tax office workers will probably still ask you for your inspection paperwork. Tell them "I thought antiques didnt have to pass inspection" and they will go talk to their supervisor who will confirm. happens to me almost every time.

feel free to ask if you have more questions. We have a pretty cool VW scene here, just not during summer, it's too damn hot. What part of town are you moving to?