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Anyone else get a letter recently from the DMV?
I got one on Saturday, said the law had been changed, effective JULY 1st 2007
(nice for them to tell me now)
Regarding Antique plates:
Antique License Plates and Special Plates
Virginia motorists who own antique vehicles should be aware of several changes governing the use of antique license plates.
* Applicants for antique license plates must show evidence of ownership or regular use of another passenger car or motorcycle.
* Applicants must submit notarized certification that their antique vehicle meets safety equipment requirements for the model year in which it was manufactured.
* Fees charged for registration and plate purchase changes from $10 annually to a one-time fee of $50.
Antique plates are available from DMV for vehicles with a model year that is more than 25 years old. New guidelines for these cars were prompted by concerns that many owners were registering older cars as antiques to avoid registration and safety inspection requirements.
Under the new law, if an antique vehicle owner is convicted of operating an antique vehicle determined to be unsafe or not properly equipped, DMV will suspend the owner's registration of the vehicle involved for five years.
Which, arguably, I had registered it as an antique to avoid not the expense but the hassle of registering it every year or other year. I own a couple of cars, I have forgotten/missed a registration deadline many a time. And then inspections? please- it seems like I have to do this every other month for one car or another. (wife's car, plus my real daily driver, plus the 85 spider)
I figured that at 25 years of age or older, Virginia DMV had already gotten their money from 12 two year registrations, plus 25 years of inspection fees - and this permanent registration was the reward for owning and maintaining an older vehicle.
I may re-register the 1981 car with real plates - it will pass inspection - but I've been thinking of selling it as of late and this may just have helped me make that decision.
Anyone else get this letter? Am I over reacting to these new restrictions?
I got one on Saturday, said the law had been changed, effective JULY 1st 2007
(nice for them to tell me now)
Regarding Antique plates:
Antique License Plates and Special Plates
Virginia motorists who own antique vehicles should be aware of several changes governing the use of antique license plates.
* Applicants for antique license plates must show evidence of ownership or regular use of another passenger car or motorcycle.
* Applicants must submit notarized certification that their antique vehicle meets safety equipment requirements for the model year in which it was manufactured.
* Fees charged for registration and plate purchase changes from $10 annually to a one-time fee of $50.
Antique plates are available from DMV for vehicles with a model year that is more than 25 years old. New guidelines for these cars were prompted by concerns that many owners were registering older cars as antiques to avoid registration and safety inspection requirements.
Under the new law, if an antique vehicle owner is convicted of operating an antique vehicle determined to be unsafe or not properly equipped, DMV will suspend the owner's registration of the vehicle involved for five years.
Which, arguably, I had registered it as an antique to avoid not the expense but the hassle of registering it every year or other year. I own a couple of cars, I have forgotten/missed a registration deadline many a time. And then inspections? please- it seems like I have to do this every other month for one car or another. (wife's car, plus my real daily driver, plus the 85 spider)
I figured that at 25 years of age or older, Virginia DMV had already gotten their money from 12 two year registrations, plus 25 years of inspection fees - and this permanent registration was the reward for owning and maintaining an older vehicle.
I may re-register the 1981 car with real plates - it will pass inspection - but I've been thinking of selling it as of late and this may just have helped me make that decision.
Anyone else get this letter? Am I over reacting to these new restrictions?