[scott12180]

A friend in the machine shop at work mentioned that he read (in Hemmings, I think) that legislation was introduced in Virginia to restrict the operation of antique and collector vehicles to a radius within 50 miles of the address where the car is registered. Any comments? Any truth to this? If true, what can possibly be the rationale or logic?

Whenever I hear something like this I get really scared. Any time government thinks of a new way to take away more of our freedom, it is inevidable that it will spread. Today Virginia, tomorrow it's a federal law.

--Scott
1926 Packard

[R W Burgess]

Scott, there was a bill discussed earlier this year about that restriction, and other changes brought on because of the typical 25 year old "paint wagon" on the way to the job site wearing the Va Antique tags. The bill died(in committee), but will probably be looked at again next year.
Compliance of the Antique tag law is poor to say the least. You, me, and everyone can do their part by turning in the people abusing the antique tag law. If you see the same vehicle more than 2 times a week, and he is certainly using it as a work vehicle, call a cop, turn him in.

We've been lucky so far, but we need to keep everyone honest.

Wayne

[scott12180]

Perhaps one solution to the abuse of antique tags is to modify the age of a vehicle that can qualify for antique tags. A twenty-five year old car today really is not much different from a 2006 model, relative to a twenty-five year old car back in the 1950's when this rule was adopted.

A better method might be to have a rolling qualification based on the percentage of total automobile history. What I mean is, say back in 1950 a 25 year old car qualified to be an antique by the AACA. That was roughly a car that was half as old as the automobile itself. In 1960, that logic would make a 1930 car eligible to be an antique. In 1980, it would be a 1940 car. For 2006 it would be a car made in 1953.

I know there's lots of people out there who love collector cars alot newer than 1953, and that's great. But to call them "antiques" and to legally classify a 1981 Ford in the same category as a 1912 Model T Ford, for instance, is really abusing the definition of antique.

My $0.02

-Scott

[rocketraider]

I've said it before- the blame for abuse of antique plates in VA lies SQUARELY with DMV itself, because they do not screen applications and actually encourage sales of antique plates to anyone who comes in to register an older car. "Did you know your car qualifies for antique plates?" I say, the DMV clerk needs to go out and look at the car, or at least require proof of membership in a legitimate car club. That way the cost of dues for a club membership would take away the financial incentive of running antique plates on a clunker. Conversely, such a requirement would bolster club memberships. Possibly require any antique licensed vehicle to provide proof of insurance with a collector-car insurance company? the annual mileage limits would take care of a lot of antique plate fraud.

I'm all for having the antique plate option because it saves me a pile of money every year, but then again my antique licensed stuff is driven and maintained as an antique car. Even though it qualifies for antique license under VA law, I still keep the personalised plate on the 1974 Hurst/Olds simply because I like it. That car has been driven less than 150 miles in the last two years. The other four with antique/YOM plates rarely get driven more than 1000 miles a year.

Wayne, I can't prove it, but I suspect the Danville Police Department had a finger in Danny Marshall's legislation last year. Over the past year- at suggestion of DMV itself, which doesn't want to be bothered with enforcement of the statute- I've personally turned in nine questionable antique plates to the PD, and every damn one of those cars is still wearing antique plates. So much for anyone enforcing the laws on the books.

I also question the argument that a 1981 car is not much different from a 2006. Except for having wheels and an engine, the cars are light-years apart simply by virtue of the technology they use. A well-maintained or restored to original 1981 car that is driven and maintained as an antique is just as much an historical vehicle as a similar Model A. Not as valuable, but a part of an overlooked era of history nonetheless.

My Toronado regularly stuns people who never knew there were front-wheel drive cars before K-cars. Likewise young people have never seen a car as large as my 1976 Ninety Eight. These cars may not be considered antique by some, but they are nice examples of what was the American automobile.

Leave the 25 year rolling exemption; just screen what's being issued an antique license plate.

[rocketraider]

Guess we need to clarify the 50 miles from home thing too- The original antique vehicle statutes limited driving to parades, car club functions, testing and pleasure trips no more than 50 miles from owner's residence. Several years back, the mileage limit was increased to 250 miles to accomodate touring. Last year's legislation would have rolled the mileage limit back to 50. I need to talk with Danny again to see if he'll head off Leo Wardrup on this thing. Wardrup is one of several urban legislators who have no business making law for the rest of Virginia. Not quite as bad as Michelle McQuigg, but he's close.

[R W Burgess]

Glenn, the 50 mile change died in committee as did the other suggested changes, but everyone involved is prepared for next year. I like your idea of having to belong to a club. I'll pass that along.

Thanks, Wayne

[leadsled1953]

questions ,do you have to have historical insurance to get historical plates in Va?my desoto in Ny required that.i had to send pictures of my car to get the insurance.every year i have to send my odometer reading to the insurance company.i am omly allowed 2500 miles a year[i do 200].as much as i hate saying it dmv and the insurance company could weed out 80 percent of these people if they would make an effort.

[rocketraider]

VA is one of those states which doesn't require insurance at all. If you elect to drive w/o insurance you have to post a bond payment before you can register the car or get or renew plates. I think it's $600/year now, not sure as I never have to fool with it. I think it's insane to drive without insurance.

So no, antique/collector/historical insurance is not required to get antique plates here, though it's not a bad idea.

That's what really chaps my hide, that VADMV doesn't want to enforce its own regulations but instead recommends contacting the local PD, who aren't interested in writing a misuse of plates ticket. The abuse of antique plates could be stopped right then and there if DMV would only screen the cars they issue them to.

What am I thinking? This is the same DMV who issues drivers' licenses to illegals and terrorists.

I'm not too keen on modern, GM-powered, kit-built street rods wearing antique plates either. By rights they are a modern vehicle and should be wearing regular issue plates, but they get out of safety and emissions inspections with antique plates. The difference is even though these cars aren't antiques, they aren't clunkers. Maybe it's time VA offered a street rod plate like the surrounding states do. Lord knows they'll create a license plate for any other special interest group.

[leadsled1953]

it sounds like its dmv not doing what they are supposed to.as far as insurance historical insurance requirement for historical carsthat would end 98 percent of the problem.the insurance company would turn most of these cars down and to lie about mileage ect is fraud.i pay $94 per year full coverage for my 50 desoto.my other cars thats a different story[new jersey] <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />.

[57_chieftain]

Does anybody know where i can get the regs in writing? A friends mom wont drive the car until she sees it in writing.
NEVER MIND I GOT IT! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />