Registering a vehicle as historic (MD)

[87turbolook911]

Hi all,

I have a '92 Mustang and '87 911 that I'd like to register as historic. They currently have regular MD plates.

Anyone been through this? I plan on taking current registration and proof of insurance...anything else I need besides the MD forms?

Trying to do this in one MVA trip :roll:

Advise appreciated.

Thanks!

[Baywatch]

I put Historic Tags on my 79 928. It was simple.
Here's the info needed

To be registered as a historic vehicle (class L), your vehicle must be a passenger vehicle, motorcycle or truck (with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less): be 20 calendar years old or older and must not have been substantially altered, remodeled or remanufactured from the manufacturers original design.

A vehicle registered as historic cannot be used for general daily transportation, or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways. It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses. A trailer does not qualify for historic registration.

[87turbolook911]

I put Historic Tags on my 79 928. It was simple.
Here's the info needed

To be registered as a historic vehicle (class L), your vehicle must be a passenger vehicle, motorcycle or truck (with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less): be 20 calendar years old or older and must not have been substantially altered, remodeled or remanufactured from the manufacturers original design.

A vehicle registered as historic cannot be used for general daily transportation, or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways. It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses. A trailer does not qualify for historic registration.

Thanks Gary. Any advice on the process at DMV?

[Baywatch]

Not really any super advice. I just went in and said my car is 20 + years old and that I would like to have historic tags. Done-

[racer]

I try to bring the Title when I go to the DMV, not just the registration, incase there are ownership concerns.

[87turbolook911]

Not really any super advice. I just went in and said my car is 20 + years old and that I would like to have historic tags. Done-

Did you have to bring them your existing tags?

[Ranger]

Same experience here Vu at MD MVA with 86 928 a few years ago.
Regards,
Bob

[Baywatch]

I don't remember if I brought the tags in or not. Take them just in case.

[tank]

I always take the title and have never had an issue. It is not a difficult process. However, I did run into an issue with insurance, some places will only insure the vehicle if you have a non-historic/daily registered on the same plan.

[scott]

I think you can do it online. Still have to drop off the old tags

[TurboPooch]

Very easy. Just have the form and title. I did mine when the tags were due for renewal and I kept the regular tags. I think the tags are $52 for two years last time I renewed. I also register the cars as historic with State Farm and insurance is much cheaper.

[Dr K]

I did the gold Targa online, then dropped off the old tags. I did the black car face-to-face, title in hand, but it hadn't been registered since totaled and rebuilt, so no tags, etc. to bring.

[Potomac-Greg]

I always take the title and have never had an issue. It is not a difficult process. However, I did run into an issue with insurance, some places will only insure the vehicle if you have a non-historic/daily registered on the same plan.

Good point. Check insurance for two things. First is whether they'll cover a Historic tagged car, second is whether you might qualify for a lower rate.

As to the "occasional use" limitation, I have no clue how they could possibly enforce it unless you literally drive it past the same cop every day. I had it on my '88 944.

[HoodPin]

IIRC, someone did post here a while back about going past a cop scouting a Stop sign on a regular basis, and confronted the Historic tag owner after observing him multiple days. For a daily driver, could be dicey. Including insurance, if mileage limitation was significatly exceeded. Both of my 944's (one now gone) had Historic tags, though only driven occasionally. Did each one at tag renewal deadline, and brought in old tags. Nice to not have to worry about emissions testing of an older car. :D

[cmartin]

I've been through this a few times too. I mentioned it to St Farm and they didnt change my ins rates, not sure how that's impacted.

[Cliff Claven]

you should probably be paying lower insurance rates given the driving and use restrictions.

[HoodPin]

you should probably be paying lower insurance rates given the driving and use restrictions.

May already be treated by the insurance as lower mileage use if its the 3rd, 4th, etc. car on a policy, where drivers outnumber the cars. I think that's how our GEICO treats it.

[TurboPooch]

I'll have to check my policy to make sure but I have all the Pcars (except for the 98) and Mustangs as "Antique/Limited use". The code is something like 1A000. During the winter months I withdraw from service and the insurance is around $50 for six months. Comprehensive and liability stays in force so I don't have to turn in tags and if the garage falls on them I'll get something. The 70 Stang has an agreed value so it is a little more.

Also, If you buy certain license plate frames, (the TPC one works great) the "Historic" at the bottom of the plate will be covered up.

[HoodPin]

....Also, If you buy certain license plate frames, (the TPC one works great) the "Historic" at the bottom of the plate will be covered up.

Yousa so smarty pants. :lol:

[Cliff Claven]

when i priced out insurance with hagerty it was substantially cheaper.

[good hands]

when i priced out insurance with hagerty it was substantially cheaper.

Hagerty is usually way cheaper than regular carriers and the coverage is better if your car qualifies. We always place our clients with them if we can.

[Puffinator]

I have two cars registered as historic and with all the advice provided in this thread, you are good to go. If you and others are interested in only having a rear plate on your historic car, Maryland is still considering the single plate Bill and serious dialogue on allowing the single plate for 2 Classes of cars; historic (Class L) and street rod (Class N).

The Maryland House of Delegates held a hearing on the proposed one license plate Bill (House Bill 562 and 577) last Tuesday I decided to go over and testify in support of the Bills. There were 5 fellow car folks there to support the Bills and 2 there from the State to testify against it. It turns out this Bill has been proposed several times in year’s past and the Maryland State Police have always testified against it or for making any changes to the 2 plate requirement. When I got to the hearing room I saw that there was a State Trooper there whom I assumed was there ready to testify. So before the hearing started I went over and introduced myself to the Trooper told him I was there to support the Bills but asked him if he could at least support amending the law to allow a rear license plate only for 2 Classes of cars: Class L (Historic) and Class N (Street Rod). He said he thought the State Police could support that and I asked him if he would so state in his testimony. After the testimony there was quite a bit of discussion among the Delegates as to why this had not previously been allowed or discussed in any past presentations to the Committee.

Since the hearing I have received emails from 2 of the Committee Delegates saying they would support the Bill – one sent me this email:

"Rob,
Thanks for taking the time to speak on HB 562 and 577 this afternoon. The proposals to address Class L and N make such perfect sense that it makes me wonder why it has not been addressed in this matter initially. It was, I have to admit, Delegate McMillian who was the driving idea behind this. In any event, we look forward to finally assisting with a resolution."

So I think there is hope for at least those of us who register their cars with Historic plates but I’m not so sure about the elimination for all cars. However I would still encourage those of you who care, to email your Delegates and Senator stating that you support House Bills 562 and/or 577 and if they cannot support the entire Bill, at least add Historic and Street Rods to the existing law.

[Whiplash]

Vu - I registered my car at Terry's Tags and Title in Columbia. No lines and I was in and out in five minutes. They charge a little more than the DMV, but it was worth the no hassle. I took my title and proof of insurance. Give them a call; they'll tell you exactly what you need.

http://www.tagsintenminutes.com/index.html

[Jim Coffman]

Got the '82 track car's historic plates online. You can turn in the old plates at the mobile DMV service when it's in your neighborhood. Just return them fairly quickly to avoid a penalty. Or move to New Mexico where they don't test emissions or do any inspection.

[Dr K]

I've been through this a few times too. I mentioned it to St Farm and they didnt change my ins rates, not sure how that's impacted.
Our State Farm rate on the Targa dropped significantly when we went historic.

Hagerty is usually way cheaper than regular carriers and the coverage is better if your car qualifies. We always place our clients with them if we can.

Good to know. Thanks.

[onboost]

Did you have to bring them your existing tags?

VU,

You don't need to take the title/s with you.. however, taking the tags in saves you a return trip as you are supposed to turn in the old tags.. especially if they are current.

P-

[87turbolook911]

Thanks all, just took the registration forms and insurance cards. Was quite simple until.....I told them I wanted to keep my personalized tags too.

They looked at me like I had two heads.

So I just went ahead with the historic registration there and then went online last night to "reorder" my personalized tags.

I wonder if my personalized tags will have historic on them?

[Trak Ratt]

until.....I told them I wanted to keep my personalized tags too.

They looked at me like I had two heads.

LOL, VA started issuing personal historic tags a couple years ago!

[onboost]

I wonder if my personalized tags will have historic on them?

Yesir..