[KeithLambert7]

Hey, anyone got a simple explanation for the use of antique plates in VA?

"Forgive me Father for I have sinned...' I've never inspected my 356 though I have standard VA plates. In two years I've driven it everywhere even worked over by the Sherrif's office in Leesburg - passing 5-6 cruisers daily, and never been even looked at by the boys, it's like I'm invisible - and this car's RED. Just figured if I were pulled over I'd put on the stupid face But it's been so long now I just have to see how much longer I can milk it...

But the question nags at my conscience. I've thought about antique plates, you don't have to get your car inspected if you have antique plates registered with the same year as your car - right?

Are you limited legally in mileage with antique plates to shows and parades, I drive my 356 2-3 times a week to work in the good weather?

Keith

[VaSteve]

I talked to my State Farm agent about a car I'm interested. The topic came up....she said that, as you stated, you are only supposed to go to shows and parades with antique tags. My neighbor has a Fiat with such tags and I see him driving on nice days...no parades during the week I know of. :o

I'm not sure of the advantage for you...at that age you clearly don't have to get emission inspections. Are you just looking to be different?

Steve
(actual authority on nothing)

[Justin Fischer]

Antique tags or not, if you want to drive it daily it has to be state inspected yearly. If you get the new VA issue antique tags it is registered as an antique and is supposed to be limited use. If you aquire original antique tags stamped in the year of your cars production(I found mine on ebay), they must be approved by the DMV, and then they are treated just like standard VA plates with no limitations, but yearly state inspections are required.

VA DMV:

http://www.dmv.state.va.us/webdoc/ci...es/antique.asp

If you watched the video from the Fun Run you know I get mine inspected regularly

-Justin

[Dan M]

I have mine registed as an antique, then I added the 1970 VA tags. I am not required to get an inspection but have the driving restrictions, however they are not enforced as far as I can tell. I drove mine to work 1-2 times a week with no problems. The bigger issue is if your insurance limits your driving, then you need to figure out your own excuse if you have an accident during the week.

I would say go for the antique tags and as long as you don't drive by the same cop every day you should be fine taking it to work on occasion.

-anonymous

[Vicegrip]

I have 69 tags on the 912 and drive as needed. Ido as Dan M does. I bet that if you park in the Metro lot every day you might have a problem. I have the address of guy that sells plates if you want classic plates. you can use them for antique or normal registration. Early VA plats alternated from black in even years to white in odd years.

[BW911]

The short answer is, I wouldn't worry about it. The longer answer can be found on the Virginia DMV website, which includes a link to the relevant statutes.

I'll be counting on my counsellors, both of whom drive Targas, to defend me if I run afoul of this law. I've got an old Triumph Bonneville motorcycle that I put an antique tag on. Eleven bucks, and it never expires. No inspection is required for the Trumpet, but I do have to get an Arlington Co. decal annually, I am told by the county treasurer.

The DMV summarizes the rules for an antique tag:

Registering your vehicle either of these ways limits your use of the vehicle to:
-- Participation in antique car club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar events.
-- Testing its operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, transportation to and from events as described in number 1 above and for the occasional pleasure driving not to exceed 250 miles from your residence.
You may not, however, use your vehicle for general, daily transportation. This includes, but is not limited to, driving to and from work.

I find I need to do a lot of testing. And any Dorki or PCA gathering would seem to qualify as an exhibit, tour, parade or similar event. If you want to drive it to work every day, to be safe, I'd get it inspected and get regular tags. Or, you can find model-year tags and register them.

- Bill W.

[914guy]

The 914 has antique tags. I've been pulled over and asked about (allthough not given a ticket) it in Fairfax City where as far as I can tell they have too many cops and not enough crime

~Eric

[Trak Ratt]

The above about covers it but if you look at the DMV site it also says you can have unlimited driving on A Tags as long as you get the car inspected each year. I'd check w/my insurer before I rolled up to many miles on T Tags though. There really is no reason to get A plates anymore since VA did away w/emissions on > 25 year old cars. The exception is our ’70. I wanted to drive it some to evaluate the engine/trans & knew it would not pass “safety” w/o a lot of time & $. So A tags put me on the road the next day. I’ll probably do the same for Linda’s 356 (DER TUB) since I need to rewire everything except head/stop & tail lights.

PS just to sidestep everones wrath, not passing "safety" doesn't necessarily mean "not safe right now".

[Vicegrip]

I can think of 3 reasons to get A plates. Lower one time registration fee. You only have to go through the hassle of registering once so no yearly stickers and in Fairfax county no personal property tax. Thats right, NO TAX. Fairfax co. even sends the county sticker to me free as well. Less cost up front less cost each year and no tax.

[KeithLambert7]

Originally Posted by Kurt Mickelwait

I can think of 3 reasons to get A plates. Lower one time registration fee. You only have to go through the hassle of registering once so no yearly stickers and in Fairfax county no personal property tax. Thats right, NO TAX. Fairfax co. even sends the county sticker to me free as well. Less cost up front less cost each year and no tax.

THAT'S the answer I was looking for!!! Thanks everyone for the input.

Keith