Old License Plate

[marcmax]

While renewing my registration for me vehicles yesterday I had an interesting conversation with the woman doing my paperwork. I was going to get an "antique" plate for my R65LS but couldn't justify the initial cost of the license plate and the additional yearly fee for having it.

When I asked her about the old cars I have seen with an old license plate she said that, yes I could run a "time period" correct license plate on my motorcycle as long as the current plate was somewhere on the vehicle. With cars she said it was usually in the glove box. On a motorcycle it could be under the seat, etc.

Once presented to the tag office and approved, both tag numbers are assigned to the same registration. At no additional cost, just the existing registration fee. The woman at the office said it is a pretty standard item in all 50 states.

Did a quick search and found a 1982 Georgia motorcycle license plate online for $15. It is on its way!

[montmil]

Yep. very popular with the vintage car and hat rod set. Soldier Son has a period correct Texas plate on his project car.

[k_enn]

LMAO.  I bought my 1982 R65 in 1982, and still have and use the plate that came with it.  

[montmil]

... I bought my 1982 R65 in 1982, and still have and use the plate that came with it.  

Would be kinda neat if we had that system in Texas. Does the original plate follow with a new owner or does that require a new tag?

Three of my bikes -the Airheads- rock Antique Motorcycle tags which cost $60.00 and are good for five years; then you buy another 5-year plate. No emissions testing for Texas bikes and no inspection sticker required for the Antique tagged bikes. If my math is correct, that's only $12.00/year per bike.

[marcmax]

In Georgia it is $60 one time for the antique tag but $25 per year along with the tax fee based on the vehicle value.

[stbrown]

I just got one for my '82 R65, here in AZ.  Since we are the copper state, they are copper plated and have a great sheen to them.
Steve

[montmil]

In Georgia it is $60 one time for the antique tag but $25 per year along with the tax fee based on the vehicle value.

Ouch! Are Georgia automobiles also taxed annually based on their value?

Arizona Steve, I bet those copper-clad tags look pretty spiffy.

[montmil]

Back to old license plates...

Texas license plates used to be stamped steel with letters and numbers embossed in the metal. Sturdy there were. Products of the Texas prison system they were. When some klutz would get popped making $3.00 bills, the judge might say, "Now you'll be making license plates."

Presently, the tags are a fairly thin, flat bit of aluminum with what is most likely a computer-generated image and registration letters/numbers. And they don't fit my metal license plate frames unless I whittle the aluminum down to size.

Progress?

[Bob_Roller]

I've got the Historic Motorcycle plates on three of the bikes .







Here's one for a 4 wheel vehicle .

[k_enn]

Here in New Jersey, we do have historic plates ( all begin with the letters QQ ) for both cars and cycles.  No extra cost to speak of running QQ plates (as we call them).  

With QQ plates you were exempt from annual inspections.  The annual inspections were a joke for motorcycles, but could be b!tch for cars.  Now, the only inspection is emissions on cars every two years, so the advantage of a QQ plate is not what it was (but you are still exempt from emissions).  The downside with QQ plates is that you are supposed to be limited with the respect to the mileage you put on in a year (something like only a few thousand miles a year).

Tag cost - for the physical tag itself the cost is minor (a little bit more for a vanity plate).  Where they get you here is the annual renewal, which was north of $70 when I had new, higher end car.  Motorcycles (even my 1982) get whacked for about $40 per year.  What do you expect from the home of the Sopranos and Mafia extortion?

k_enn

[marcmax]

Yes Monte, Georgia gets you for what they call an ad velorum tax on cars, trucks, trailers, boats, rv's and they have a huge database that has all the calculations based on make, model, year, options, etc.

This year for 2 cars (mine and my daughter's), my old truck, a small utility trailer and 3 bikes my tag renewal was just under $600

Ouch is right!

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Would be kinda neat if we had that system in Texas. Does the original plate follow with a new owner or does that require a new tag?

Three of my bikes -the Airheads- rock Antique Motorcycle tags which cost $60.00 and are good for five years; then you buy another 5-year plate. No emissions testing for Texas bikes and no inspection sticker required for the Antique tagged bikes. If my math is correct, that's only $12.00/year per bike.

The Texas system does allow for period plates.  Although registered as an antique at the lower price the plate on my '75 R90/6 is from 1975.  The plate on my '68 Triumph TR25W is from 1968.  Best of both worlds!

[TXRider60]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but Antique plate in TX is $25 (as I recall) one-time, and no additional charge on renewals.

[montmil]

Don't know if anyone has mentioned it, but Antique plate in TX is $25 (as I recall) one-time, and no additional charge on renewals.

Burt.

I recently renewed the three Airhead Texas Antique Motorcycle license plates as they all expired in March 2013. Texas cranks out the plates in five year batches so my renewals come due in 2018.

It's $60.00 -per bike- for a five (5) year plate. If you register within that 5-year window, your price is prorated at 20% per year.

In the way back days, Texas did have an ad valorem on vehicles but it was abolished in the early 70's, IIRC.

[donbmw]

I had Antique plates on two of my bikes and have one on my TR3. In Louisiana it is a one time fee but do not go with the vehicle when sold.

Don