The Ultimate Guide to Classic Car Registration: Everything You Need to Know
If you own a classic car and want to register it in the US, it’s very crucial to know there is a difference between registering a classic car and registering a modern car. So now that you’ve known this, let’s talk about the easiest steps to follow to get your classic car registered without hassle.
If you’re a new collector or buyer, you need to understand the difference between a classic, vintage, or antique car and that the eligibility for an old car registration depends on some factors like age, year, mileage, title condition, and more.
Contents
What Makes a Car Classic
Before registering a classic car, the eligibility criteria involve checking a few things including:
- The age of the car
- The make and model year
- The standard requirements in the state of registration
Generally, for the age, the vehicle must be between 20 to 30 years old. This, however, may vary depending on each US state’s requirements. For an antique car registration, the vehicle must be over 25 to 50 years old depending on the state.
If you’re unsure of the details of your classic car like the age, and model, you can use a classic car VIN decoder to unveil accurate information about the vehicle.
How to Register Your Classic Car?
Now that you know what makes a car classic or antique, we will embark on a journey through the major steps involved in classic vehicle registration.
- Gather the necessary documentation
Preparing all the required paperwork is the first step in registering your old car. This will ensure you don’t need to visit the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) now and then. Here are the documents you need to take to your state-local DMV office
- The classic car title
- Proof of safety inspection or emission test
- Proof of auto insurance
In the absence of a vehicle title, you will be required to submit proof of ownership, bill of sale, affidavit, and other relevant documents that can prove you’re the original owner of the classic car. This clearly explains that it’s possible to register a classic car without a title.
- Pay the registration fees
After gathering the necessary paperwork, it’s time to settle the bills. Please note that the fee can vary from state to state. For specialty plates, additional fees may apply.
For legal compliance, it’s very important to register a classic car. If you fail to register your car, prepare to face serious negative consequences like fines and restrictions from legally driving the vehicle on the US roads.
How to maintain your classic car registration status
To preserve your classic car, there is a need to continuously follow lay-down rules. Steps must be taken to stay up-to-date about your state requirements for classic cars.
Here are some tips for maintaining your classic car
- Conduct regular inspections
This plays a significant role in the maintenance of your classic car in accordance with state laws. The inspection will help to check for any faulty or malfunctioning components or parts of the car. This includes the air filter, fluids, hoses, bulbs, and belts.
- Be up-to-date on your state requirements
Classic car owners must be consistent in checking with their local state DMV about any changes to the requirements for registering a classic car. You can visit your state DMV website to subscribe to alerts so you are abreast of any updates or changes to the requirements.
To preserve the legacy and originality of your classic car, you need to ensure the car is properly stored when not in use. Avoid an open space and pack in a very dry space. If you’re buying a classic or antique car, you need to ascertain it will pass the antique vehicle registration process by verifying the vehicle’s history and condition. To do this, simply utilize a classic car VIN lookup tool to uncover records like the title, accident, and mileage.
