Antique and Classic Plates - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

Sir240 · 01-03-2014, 11:25 AM

I'm thinking of picking up a 1978 Toyota Pickup. How hard is it to get an antique plate? I don't plan on doing performance modifications. Also how often can I drive the vehicle? Per the letter of the law below:

The use of Antique, Classic and Vintage registration plates is governed by Section 1340 of the Pennsylvania
Vehicle Code, which states: “It is unlawful for any person to operate a motorcycle or vehicle with antique,
classic or vintage registration plates for general daily transportation. Permitted use shall be limited to
participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses.”
Occasional transportation and similar uses is defined as one day a week.

I hopefully plan to drive it atleast more than once a week but just to work and around the area I live which is like a 10 mile radius.

jpalamar · 01-04-2014, 05:42 PM

Just get a normal plate.

HatchSurfer3 · 01-06-2014, 09:32 AM

Yea if you plan on driving it to work on a daily/weekly basis I wouldn't get an antique plate. In the section of the law you quoted it specifically says not to do that.

JeremyPA · 01-06-2014, 11:50 PM

If I remember right...

Antique plates require one-two days a week driving. You aren't allowed to drive the vehicle at night time or inclement weather if memory serves right.

Classic plates are a little different. You can drive at night, but are limited in the amount of mileage you are allowed to put on in a calendar year (again, if memory serves right).

The reason insurance is so cheap on these types of registered vehicles is because they are meant to be garage queens, not daily drivers. If you plan on DDing it, you probably need to get a regular plate for it.

HatchSurfer3 · 01-07-2014, 10:06 AM

typically the plates don't factor into the insurance. but antique insurance is much cheaper due to strict underwriting regulations.

Sir240 · 01-07-2014, 03:11 PM

Thanks all for the responses!

SE-RMonkey · 01-31-2014, 08:48 PM

I have a classic plate on my '92 Sentra SE-R. You submit 4 pics with windows up, front, back and each side. Vehicle should appear stock. Have a fast tag place do it and they can guide you through. There is no mileage restriction with a classic plate, basically just a bunch of unenforceable rules...

"Permitted use shall be limited to participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses.”
Occasional transportation and similar uses is defined as one day a week."

I drive my SE-R 2 to 4 times a week mostly within a 10 mile radius during the warmer months and have never had an issue. The police have better things to do anyway. And don't forget one time, permanent registration (no more yearly $36) and no more emissions inspection.

01-03-2014, 11:25 AM	#1
Sir240 Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lancaster, PA Member #6570 My Ride: 2002 Mr-S iTrader: (0)	Antique and Classic Plates I'm thinking of picking up a 1978 Toyota Pickup. How hard is it to get an antique plate? I don't plan on doing performance modifications. Also how often can I drive the vehicle? Per the letter of the law below: The use of Antique, Classic and Vintage registration plates is governed by Section 1340 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, which states: “It is unlawful for any person to operate a motorcycle or vehicle with antique, classic or vintage registration plates for general daily transportation. Permitted use shall be limited to participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses.” Occasional transportation and similar uses is defined as one day a week. I hopefully plan to drive it atleast more than once a week but just to work and around the area I live which is like a 10 mile radius.

01-06-2014, 09:32 AM	#3
HatchSurfer3 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2005 Member #853 My Ride: 2013 Ford Focus ST iTrader: (4)	Yea if you plan on driving it to work on a daily/weekly basis I wouldn't get an antique plate. In the section of the law you quoted it specifically says not to do that. __________________ -Joey- FRP™ #5

01-07-2014, 10:06 AM	#5
HatchSurfer3 Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Sep 2005 Member #853 My Ride: 2013 Ford Focus ST iTrader: (4)	typically the plates don't factor into the insurance. but antique insurance is much cheaper due to strict underwriting regulations. __________________ -Joey- FRP™ #5

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01-04-2014, 05:42 PM	#2
jpalamar TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: May 2009 Location: Collegeville, PA Member #13773 My Ride: 03 Corvette Z06 iTrader: (3)	Just get a normal plate.

01-06-2014, 11:50 PM	#4
JeremyPA Tri-State Addict Join Date: May 2010 Location: Delco Member #16415 My Ride: Cayanne Red MY04 iTrader: (3)	If I remember right... Antique plates require one-two days a week driving. You aren't allowed to drive the vehicle at night time or inclement weather if memory serves right. Classic plates are a little different. You can drive at night, but are limited in the amount of mileage you are allowed to put on in a calendar year (again, if memory serves right). The reason insurance is so cheap on these types of registered vehicles is because they are meant to be garage queens, not daily drivers. If you plan on DDing it, you probably need to get a regular plate for it.

01-07-2014, 03:11 PM	#6
Sir240 Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Lancaster, PA Member #6570 My Ride: 2002 Mr-S iTrader: (0)	Thanks all for the responses!

01-31-2014, 08:48 PM	#7
SE-RMonkey Tri-State Training Wheels Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Pottstown, Pa Member #22678 My Ride: '92 Sentra SE-R, '93.5 Infiniti G20, '02 Protege5 iTrader: (0)	I have a classic plate on my '92 Sentra SE-R. You submit 4 pics with windows up, front, back and each side. Vehicle should appear stock. Have a fast tag place do it and they can guide you through. There is no mileage restriction with a classic plate, basically just a bunch of unenforceable rules... "Permitted use shall be limited to participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses.” Occasional transportation and similar uses is defined as one day a week." I drive my SE-R 2 to 4 times a week mostly within a 10 mile radius during the warmer months and have never had an issue. The police have better things to do anyway. And don't forget one time, permanent registration (no more yearly $36) and no more emissions inspection.