Antique Plates
 

Being a newcomer to owning an antique vehicle, I had been told by a number of people that instead of going for regular plates that I should get antique plates. No one will actually pull you over for something like this they all said...

After only owning the car with the plates for about 3 months, I was pulled over yesterday for you guessed it: driving to work with antique plates. I know the rules and definitely do not daily the car at all. Just wanted to drive it on a random, beautiful day in. Luckily, I escaped with just a warning but the cop did threaten that if he ever saw the car in Herndon/Reston (where I work) again he would give me a misdemeanor on sight.

Those running these plates...have you ever been stopped and questioned where you are going? Anyone actually been given the misdemeanor?

Not once in 20 something years. OTOH I did not drive it during rush hour type times or park it in a metro lot.

The answer to the cop should be something like “Look officer, I have X number of other cars that I pay full taxes on. This is the nicest day we have had in the past month. This is an occasional pleasure drive, which is allowed under the rules. If I have to tell it to the Judge so be it.”

as with VG, I've not driven my antique plated car, in rush hour, in work clothes, to the office etc that would give an officer the probable cause to pull me over. Since my antique plates are tied to my collector car ins. policy and both state the same limited use (including, "no driving to work") I've not bothered pushing my luck.

You mean you weren't headed to drop it off at a nearby tire shop to have one of the tires rebalanced that had developed a vibration????? I'm sure you were just going to leave it there during the day while at work in the interest of multi-tasking................................

That’s exactly why I have regular plates on my 79 930.

Unfortunately I wasn’t as quick on my feet in replying back to him that I was going to a car event at my company (I work for a car manufacturer). He immediately asked for the name and contact of the person in charge of said made up event. Completely called me out on it, downhill from there.

Most all vintage machines benefit form some degree of regular use - once or twice a week is certainly reasonable. That kind of use is allowed by the rules. Where you are going while doing that is irrelevant.

i am sure they have heard them all...sorry to hear...just got antique plates for my sc (if I ever get it out of the shop)...interested to hear what the ticket cost you.

I have had antique plates on my car for four years and have never been pulled over. Note I have big numbers, full cage. loud exhaust and oh yeah it is RED and not had a problem. I (too) often drive it to ASG in the mornings as if I was commuting.