Vintage License Plate Search

[Dennis W.]

Gordon & Gordie Warren (father & son NCRS members) joined me in leading the Johns Creek (Georgia) Founder's Day Parade for the second year. I noticed each of them had license plates that matched their car. I thought this was pretty fun so I asked Gordie about it. I didn't know that many states allow the owners of vintage cars to use vintage plates. Gordie actually supplied the Georgia statute.

In researching vintage tags and providers, I ultimately worked with Rod Pearman who owns Tag Doctor. Although he specializes in California & Georgia tags, he has many, many other state tags. I talked with him before purchasing anything and he is very friendly, responsive, reasonably priced and followed through. He emailed me once the order had shipped and let me know when to expect it. For those who may be interested, I can commend Rod. His contact information is www.tagdr.com, rod@tagdr.com, or (706) 216-7670.

The NCRS Technical Discussion board has helped me more times than I can count. The level of expertise is astounding. I often wish I could contribute and hope this may help someone.

[David B.]

Re: Vintage License Plate Search

Florida also allows year of manufacture plates. As part of the approval process, you need to send the plate to Tallahassee to be physically inspected. Before doing that, you can check online and make sure the number plate you have is available for registration (if someone else has already registered that number for a different year plate, you can't register yours).

One pitfall to avoid in FL is that a restored plate is likely to fail inspection as having been "altered". So, it's probably better to send in an unrestored plate, get the registration and decal for it, then have it restored.

[Duke W.]

Re: Vintage License Plate Search

Most states have various "special plates", with various qualification requirements. California must have about a dozen, which are discussed on the DMV Web site, which also has a pdf of the application you can download, fill out, and take to a DMV office office to apply. I personally prefer the Historical Vehicle plate. The car/truck must be at least 25-years old, and there are driving restrictions.

Since every state is different, you have to investigate what your state offers.

Duke

[Frank D.]

Re: Vintage License Plate Search

Florida also allows year of manufacture plates. As part of the approval process, you need to send the plate to Tallahassee to be physically inspected. Before doing that, you can check online and make sure the number plate you have is available for registration (if someone else has already registered that number for a different year plate, you can't register yours).

One pitfall to avoid in FL is that a restored plate is likely to fail inspection as having been "altered". So, it's probably better to send in an unrestored plate, get the registration and decal for it, then have it restored.

You absolutely don't want to 'restore' or alter a YOM plate before its approved in the Florida....
You can't any just any YOM plate registered though....these are both original '63 plates - the first one legitimately registered and the second plate just a 'fun' bit of original trivia suitable for car shows.

[Mike F.]

Re: Vintage License Plate Search

I just searched ebay and found a couple of plates that I liked, wrote down the numbers, checked with DMV to make sure they weren't already registered, and then put in a bid.

[Jeff B.]

Re: Vintage License Plate Search

Kentucky allows YOM, provided your car is currently registered with an Historic plate. Once you car is Historically registered, you can substitute any KY previously issued YOM that matches your car, without regard to the issuing county. Oddly, you don't even have to notify the DMV of the license plate number you're using. Just be sure to have the Historic plate somewhere in the car.

[Stephen B.]

Re: Vintage License Plate Search

Colorado also allows you to have plates that match your car year - i have a 1976 corvette stingray and have 1976 plates( it happens that 1976 was our centenial year - they are kind of special) you have to have historic plates in the car - i took my plates to the dmv and they inspected and registered them to the car and no charge - hope this helps - stephen benson