Antique Auto & Year of Manufacture Information
Below are the NC General Statutes regarding antique automobiles and Year of Manufacture license plates. Feel free to copy and paste the information for your convenience.
North Carolina Antique Auto Information
§105-330.9. Antique automobiles.
(a) Definition. – For the purpose of this section, the term "antique automobile" means a motor vehicle that meets all of the following conditions:
(1) It is registered with the Division of Motor Vehicles and has an historic vehicle special license plate under G.S. 20-79.4.
(2) It is maintained primarily for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other public interest functions.
(3) It is used only occasionally for other purposes.
(4) It is owned by an individual.
(5) It is used by the owner for a purpose other than the production of income and is not used in connection with a business.
(b) Classification. – Antique automobiles are designated a special class of property under Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and must be assessed for taxation in accordance with this section. An antique automobile must be assessed at the lower of its true value or five hundred dollars ($500.00). (1995, c 512, s 2; 2009-445, s. 24(a).)
§ 20-63. Registration plates furnished by Division; requirements; replacement of regular plates with First in Flight plates; surrender and reissuance; displaying; preservation and cleaning; alteration or concealment of numbers; commission contracts for issuance.
Any motor vehicle of the age of 35 years or more from the date of manufacture may bear the license plates of the year of manufacture instead of the current registration plates, if the current registration plates are maintained within the vehicle and produced upon the request of any person.
§ 20-183.2. Description of vehicles subject to safety or emissions inspection; definitions.
(a1) Safety Inspection Exceptions. – The following vehicles shall not be subject to a safety inspection pursuant to this Article:
(1) Historic vehicles, as defined in G.S. 20-79.4(b)(63).
§ 20-79.4. Special registration plates.
(a) General. – Upon application and payment of the required registration fees, a person may obtain from the Division a special registration plate for a motor vehicle registered in that person's name if the person qualifies for the registration plate. A holder of a special registration plate who becomes ineligible for the plate, for whatever reason, must return the special plate within 30 days. A special registration plate may not be issued for a vehicle registered under the International Registration Plan. A special registration plate may be issued for a commercial vehicle that is not registered under the International Registration Plan. A special registration plate may not be developed using a name or logo for which a trademark has been issued unless the holder of the trademark licenses, without charge, the State to use the name or logo on the special registration plate.
(a1) Qualifying for a Special Plate. – In order to qualify for a special plate, an applicant shall meet all of the qualifications set out in this section. The Division of Motor Vehicles shall verify the qualifications of an individual to whom any special plate is issued to ensure only qualified applicants receive the requested special plates.
(b) Types. – The Division shall issue the following types of special registration plates:
(88) Historic Vehicle Owner. – Issuable for a motor vehicle that is at least 30 years old measured from the date of manufacture. The plate for an historic vehicle shall bear the word "Antique" unless the vehicle is a model year 1943 or older. The plate for a vehicle that is a model year 1943 or older shall bear the word "Antique" or the words "Horseless Carriage", at the option of the vehicle owner.
§105-330.9. Antique automobiles.
(a) Definition. – For the purpose of this section, the term "antique automobile" means a motor vehicle that meets all of the following conditions:
(1) It is registered with the Division of Motor Vehicles and has an historic vehicle special license plate under G.S. 20-79.4.
(2) It is maintained primarily for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other public interest functions.
(3) It is used only occasionally for other purposes.
(4) It is owned by an individual.
(5) It is used by the owner for a purpose other than the production of income and is not used in connection with a business.
(b) Classification. – Antique automobiles are designated a special class of property under Article V, Sec. 2(2) of the North Carolina Constitution and must be assessed for taxation in accordance with this section. An antique automobile must be assessed at the lower of its true value or five hundred dollars ($500.00). (1995, c 512, s 2; 2009-445, s. 24(a).)
§ 20-63. Registration plates furnished by Division; requirements; replacement of regular plates with First in Flight plates; surrender and reissuance; displaying; preservation and cleaning; alteration or concealment of numbers; commission contracts for issuance.
Any motor vehicle of the age of 35 years or more from the date of manufacture may bear the license plates of the year of manufacture instead of the current registration plates, if the current registration plates are maintained within the vehicle and produced upon the request of any person.
§ 20-183.2. Description of vehicles subject to safety or emissions inspection; definitions.
(a1) Safety Inspection Exceptions. – The following vehicles shall not be subject to a safety inspection pursuant to this Article:
(1) Historic vehicles, as defined in G.S. 20-79.4(b)(63).
§ 20-79.4. Special registration plates.
(a) General. – Upon application and payment of the required registration fees, a person may obtain from the Division a special registration plate for a motor vehicle registered in that person's name if the person qualifies for the registration plate. A holder of a special registration plate who becomes ineligible for the plate, for whatever reason, must return the special plate within 30 days. A special registration plate may not be issued for a vehicle registered under the International Registration Plan. A special registration plate may be issued for a commercial vehicle that is not registered under the International Registration Plan. A special registration plate may not be developed using a name or logo for which a trademark has been issued unless the holder of the trademark licenses, without charge, the State to use the name or logo on the special registration plate.
(a1) Qualifying for a Special Plate. – In order to qualify for a special plate, an applicant shall meet all of the qualifications set out in this section. The Division of Motor Vehicles shall verify the qualifications of an individual to whom any special plate is issued to ensure only qualified applicants receive the requested special plates.
(b) Types. – The Division shall issue the following types of special registration plates:
(88) Historic Vehicle Owner. – Issuable for a motor vehicle that is at least 30 years old measured from the date of manufacture. The plate for an historic vehicle shall bear the word "Antique" unless the vehicle is a model year 1943 or older. The plate for a vehicle that is a model year 1943 or older shall bear the word "Antique" or the words "Horseless Carriage", at the option of the vehicle owner.
Registering your vehicle as an antique vehicle
If you plan on registering your vehicle as an antique vehicle, there are special requirements which are performed by the NCDMV License & Theft Bureau which includes an NCDMV inspector who will register and photograph the vehicle after the vehicle passes an initial inspection. This is a one time inspection which is required to request an examination with the form LT-271 (shown below). No further inspections are required for vehicles 1980 and older.
(link to NCDMV page regarding antique vehicles- https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/vehicle/title/vehicles/ )
Here is what is recommended-
1- Register your vehicle just as any other vehicle.
2- Fill out form LT-271 (Link below to NCDMV site) to request the vehicle to be examined and hand deliver it to your nearest office. If possible, drive the vehicle at this time as they may proceed with the inspection at this time. Otherwise they will perform the inspection within 15 days.
https://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/LT_271.pdf
(link to NCDMV page regarding antique vehicles- https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/vehicle/title/vehicles/ )
Here is what is recommended-
1- Register your vehicle just as any other vehicle.
2- Fill out form LT-271 (Link below to NCDMV site) to request the vehicle to be examined and hand deliver it to your nearest office. If possible, drive the vehicle at this time as they may proceed with the inspection at this time. Otherwise they will perform the inspection within 15 days.
https://www.ncdot.gov/download/dmv/LT_271.pdf
