Registering a Classic or Antique Car

Written by ASC Title & Tags Saturday April 7, 2018

Classic and Antique registration is an attractive option for people that want to save money on their restored or all original cars in good condition. The registration is permanent. It costs more than a regular registration but if you own the car a few years, you will save money. Let's look at the requirements and the differences between Classic and Antique.

Classic Pennsylvania Vehicle Registrations

The application states the vehicle must be older than 15 years old. This really means that the vehicle has to be at least 16 years old. The vehicle must be in the good, original condition meaning it was like that it is like when it left the factory. What does this mean? No car left the factory wth a rot hole in the rear qurter panel and a big dent in the fender, so please don't apply if your car looks like that. The Classic plate entitles you to a permanent registration and an exemption from emissions inspection.

Antique Pennsylvania Vehicle Registrations

The application states the vehicle must be older than 25 years old. This really means that the vehicle has to be at least 26 years old. The vehicle must be in the good original condition meaning it was like that it is like when it left the factory. Just like the Classic requirement. The Antique plate entitles you to a permanent registration, an exemption from both safety and emissions inspection. There is a common misconception that you vcannot drive an Antique car at night. This is not true. The headlights must simply be able to pass a current PA Inspection. This means gas lamps or lights on a model T won't work, but even old 6 volt systems are ok for nighttime navigation.

Antique and Classic Pennsylvania Registration Restrictions

Both types of registration are for occasional driving. The vehicle is not meant to be used every day but there is no mileage requirement. The vehicles cannot be used for work. This means that if you have Classic or Antique plate on your pickup truck, no running to Home Depot for a load of 2x4's. If a police officer sees this, he can pull you over and take the plate.

In order to get either plate, you must send in your title with the application. The title gets a Classic or Antique designation code place on it. You must have an insurance card for that specific vehicle. Pictures are now required for the vehicle. The plate can only be issued directly by PennDot. We cannot issue this type of plate. We can complete the form, make sure all of your documents are in order and submit it through our messenger service to speed up the process.

These are PennDOT costs for the getting either the Classic or Antique plate on your PA vehicle

• $55 Title
• $81 Registration
• $5 County fee
• If you want a vanity plate, add $81 (WARNING!! Classic Plates start with a "C")
• If you want a period vintage plate add $108
• Optional Messenger Service $25
• All of these fees are one time only. Remember, there are no registration fees after the first time. Then add the savings of inspections and in 2-3 years, you will be at the break even number. After that, it's savings all the way!
• Prices are accurate at the time of publishing this article. New Legislation allows PennDOT to raise prices every 2 years.

Antique & Classic Car Insurance Discounts

There are other benefits to having a Classic or Antique vehicle. Insurance rates! You should see substantial savings by insuring your vehicle in one of these classifications. These types of vehicles tend to be driven less miles per year, have older drivers and are driven more carefully. Check with your insurance company and see if they offer this type of insurance. There are some specialty insurance companies that you may want to consider.

Here are three popular Classic and Antique insurance companies we have recommended in the past

• Grundy Worldwide - grundy.com
• JC Taylor Insurance - jctaylor.com
• Hagerty Insurance - hagerty.com/insurance/classic-car-insurance

So, consider carefully and take advantage of an option offered by Penndot.