Author Topic: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.  (Read 7209 times)

markbike528CBX

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Collector plate brag

Got collectors plate for the 1980 CBX (see username and avatar).
Savings ($40 this year and $93+/year going forward , no yearly tabs required)

Disclaimer:  This bike gets 32mpg, which is excessive, egregious, eminently not mushtachian, and lots of other things that begin with "e"

Other news, my 1993 CBR600F2 will be eligible next year.


References:
https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420499.pdf    --- the actual form to take to the licensing office.
"Collector Vehicle acknowledgement (must complete if requesting a Collector Vehicle or Horseless Carriage plate) – The use of collector vehicles is limited to participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional pleasure driving. The motor vehicle must be operated primarily as a collector vehicle and be in good running order to qualify. "

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.18.220  -- law

Or I could have gotten personalized plates for even more money per year than regular plates,   CBX, CBX 6 were available... but my mustaschian muscles were strong so I resisted.
CBX528 or 528CBX were invalid combinations somehow.
https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/extdriveses/NoLogon/_/


Apparently this is well known in collector car/motorcycle circles, but I just found out about it.  But even at MMM fora, it shows up:

hey the search engine worked OK for once !
Previously mentioned collector plates:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/mustachian-people-problems-(just-for-fun)/msg365783/#msg365783
"In Minnesota you could get collector plates and not have to pay registration tabs any more!  (but you are required to have an additional vehicle)"

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/oldest-car/msg144386/#msg144386
Minnesota cars are eligible at 20 years

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/anyone-have-an-antique-car-hobby/msg177361/#msg177361
Washington State   The next post (TX) was not as good a deal.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/anyone-have-an-antique-car-hobby/msg177387/#msg177387
Missouri 20 years

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/musings-on-my-first-year-of-bike-commuting/msg378883/#msg378883
Wisconsin 20 years old
« Last Edit: June 27, 2022, 07:26:14 PM by markbike528CBX »

slackmax

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2022, 07:48:36 AM »
I did the same thing here in Pa a couple years ago.

I had been dutifully getting my 1988 GTA Trans Am inspected every year ($65) until I finally found out while manning my flea market booth one day, that you could get an antique or a historic license plate, and never need another inspection!!! 

Nobody tells you this stuff, ha ha.   

I think it cost me  $145 to get the new plate, and a new title. I think my auto insurance rate went down, too !

Another thing no one tells you is that here in Pa if you drive less than 5,000 miles a year, you are exempt from the emissions test, on any vehicle. 

Dicey

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #2 on: June 19, 2022, 08:44:51 AM »
Dang! DH has a 2002 F150, so I toddled off to Google Land. Unsurprisingly, CA requires a vehicle to be 25 years old to be eligible, whomp, whomp. We do get a discount on our insurance for having very low mileage, but CA offers no breaks on emissions testing. Of course, DH used to walk to work. Now that he's retired, it's possible that he will actually drive a bit more. Happily, we hope to still own it in 2027.

We did spring for vanity plates for our RV, mostly because we thought they might be a fun conversation starter while traveling. Unfortunately the DMV didn't print them as ordered. They omitted the blanks and smooshed the letters together., making it pretty hard to decipher. "What the hell does that mean?" is not a friendly conversation starter. DMV wants eight months to "research" their own mistake. If it's not fixed by the next renewal period, we're just going to turn them back in.

BlueMR2

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #3 on: June 19, 2022, 12:37:20 PM »
My vehicles have been eligible for awhile, but here if you get collector plates you are only legally allowed to drive to/from car shows/special events.  Can't use it for commuting or errands anymore.

Papa bear

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #4 on: June 19, 2022, 12:46:33 PM »
My vehicles have been eligible for awhile, but here if you get collector plates you are only legally allowed to drive to/from car shows/special events.  Can't use it for commuting or errands anymore.
Exactly this in Ohio.  Collector / historical plates after 25 years and the limitations on driving. 


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oneday

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #5 on: June 19, 2022, 12:50:10 PM »
Dang! DH has a 2002 F150, so I toddled off to Google Land. Unsurprisingly, CA requires a vehicle to be 25 years old to be eligible, whomp, whomp. We do get a discount on our insurance for having very low mileage, but CA offers no breaks on emissions testing. Of course, DH used to walk to work. Now that he's retired, it's possible that he will actually drive a bit more. Happily, we hope to still own it in 2027.

We did spring for vanity plates for our RV, mostly because we thought they might be a fun conversation starter while traveling. Unfortunately the DMV didn't print them as ordered. They omitted the blanks and smooshed the letters together., making it pretty hard to decipher. "What the hell does that mean?" is not a friendly conversation starter. DMV wants eight months to "research" their own mistake. If it's not fixed by the next renewal period, we're just going to turn them back in.

Sorry about the plate debacle. Hope it turns out in your favor sooner rather than later.

In CA, if your vehicle is old enough, it becomes exempt from smog testing. That's a pricey ritual every 2-3 years. So that's something.

Villanelle

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #6 on: June 19, 2022, 01:14:10 PM »
Collector plate brag

Got collectors plate for the 1980 CBX (see username and avatar).
Savings ($40 this year and $93+/year going forward , no yearly tabs required)

Disclaimer:  This bike gets 32mpg, which is excessive, egregious, eminently not mushtachian, and lots of other things that begin with "e"

Other news, my 1993 CBR600F2 will be eligible next year.


References:
https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420499.pdf    --- the actual form to take to the licensing office.
"Collector Vehicle acknowledgement (must complete if requesting a Collector Vehicle or Horseless Carriage plate) – The use of collector vehicles is limited to participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional pleasure driving. The motor vehicle must be operated primarily as a collector vehicle and be in good running order to qualify. "

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.18.220  -- law

Or I could have gotten personalized plates for even more money per year than regular plates,   CBX, CBX 6 were available... but my mustaschian muscles were strong so I resisted.
CBX528 or 528CBX were invalid combinations somehow.
https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/extdriveses/NoLogon/_/


Apparently this is well known in collector car/motorcycle circles, but I just found out about it.  But even at MMM fora, it shows up:

hey the search engine worked OK for once !
Previously mentioned collector plates:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/mustachian-people-problems-(just-for-fun)/msg365783/#msg365783
"In Minnesota you could get collector plates and not have to pay registration tabs any more!  (but you are required to have an additional vehicle)"

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/oldest-car/msg144386/#msg144386
Minnesota cars are eligible at 20 years

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/anyone-have-an-antique-car-hobby/msg177361/#msg177361
Washington State   The next post (TX) was not as good a deal.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/anyone-have-an-antique-car-hobby/msg177387/#msg177387
Missouri 20 years

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/musings-on-my-first-year-of-bike-commuting/msg378883/#msg378883
Wisconsin 20 years old

So you own this vehicle and barely drive it, other than to shows and car events?

markbike528CBX

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #7 on: June 19, 2022, 02:06:31 PM »
Collector plate brag

Got collectors plate for the 1980 CBX (see username and avatar).
Savings ($40 this year and $93+/year going forward , no yearly tabs required)

Disclaimer:  This bike gets 32mpg, which is excessive, egregious, eminently not mushtachian, and lots of other things that begin with "e"

Other news, my 1993 CBR600F2 will be eligible next year.


References:
https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420499.pdf    --- the actual form to take to the licensing office.
"Collector Vehicle acknowledgement (must complete if requesting a Collector Vehicle or Horseless Carriage plate) – The use of collector vehicles is limited to participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional pleasure driving. The motor vehicle must be operated primarily as a collector vehicle and be in good running order to qualify. "

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.18.220  -- law

... snip....

So you own this vehicle and barely drive it, other than to shows and car events?

I'm retired, everything is "occasional pleasure driving".    :-)
I got it in 2004, added 12000 miles, so an average of 666 miles per year... mmmm much less than I thought.   
So yes to your question.

I used to commute 3 miles each way on it occasionally.  (2004-2018)
It is a warm-weather bike, as it runs on 20/50 oil and won't start when the temperature is less than 50F.

As long as I don't get tickets on it on a regular, daily, route, I can't see that anyone would notice.

It has a 6 into 1 pipe and makes glorious noise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgyGJh_3PDY  at 0:35 seconds.
I do have to remember that as a 6 cylinder bike, at the same rev count, 50% more action is taking place than a equivalent 4 cylinder bike.
Exception: At idle it only is turning 800 to 1200 rpm, and I have to remember it is still running, it is so quiet.

Dicey

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #8 on: June 19, 2022, 02:20:47 PM »
Dang! DH has a 2002 F150, so I toddled off to Google Land. Unsurprisingly, CA requires a vehicle to be 25 years old to be eligible, whomp, whomp. We do get a discount on our insurance for having very low mileage, but CA offers no breaks on emissions testing. Of course, DH used to walk to work. Now that he's retired, it's possible that he will actually drive a bit more. Happily, we hope to still own it in 2027.

We did spring for vanity plates for our RV, mostly because we thought they might be a fun conversation starter while traveling. Unfortunately the DMV didn't print them as ordered. They omitted the blanks and smooshed the letters together., making it pretty hard to decipher. "What the hell does that mean?" is not a friendly conversation starter. DMV wants eight months to "research" their own mistake. If it's not fixed by the next renewal period, we're just going to turn them back in.

Sorry about the plate debacle. Hope it turns out in your favor sooner rather than later.

In CA, if your vehicle is old enough, it becomes exempt from smog testing. That's a pricey ritual every 2-3 years. So that's something.
In our lovely state, the vehicle must be pre-1975 to avoid smog checks and related fees. Diesel trucks are slightly different, but we don't have one of those either. Not going to happen, but good thought ;-)

mikefromtheuk

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #9 on: June 24, 2022, 02:50:51 AM »
It's a bit different here in the UK - we don't have renewable "plates" as such, if you're talking about the registration number (the thing displayed front and rear on plates) that's generally assigned to the vehicle from new. There is a market for "cherished" registration plates here, because the plate layout is very strict and contains information on where the vehicle was registered, and in what year.

Our annual costs are: Insurance (mandatory at a basic level to cover third-party claims, or there's other higher levels if you'd like your own property to be protected as well as everyone else's), VED (Vehicle excise duty or "Road Tax") and MOT (referring to the "Ministry of Transport" test that checks the vehicle is roadworthy for at least one day a year). These costs vary, for me I think it's around £250 for insurance, £240 for VED on my normal daily driver car, and about £40 for the MOT test, plus the cost to fix any defect that the test might uncover, which hopefully if I'm maintaining the vehicle properly will be none.

Once vehicles reach a certain age, though, they often (but not always) qualify for "Historic" vehicle status, which means that they're not obliged to have an annual MOT test, and get VED for free. They still need to be insured, but there are a lot of classic-oriented insurance policies that are often much cheaper than a normal one (my classic policy covers three cars, and costs less than the policy that covers the daily driver). And they still need to be roadworthy, even though they don't need to have the annual test.

The main thing that stands out, though, is the limitation on what you can do with a vehicle on "collector plates" over there - and I believe there are similar restrictions in some European countries. Over here in the UK, there is no limitation on usage for a historic vehicle, we're not limited on mileage or only to/from shows or gatherings. The one thing that is creeping in are some cities and urban areas are starting to create ULEZ (Ultra Low Emission Zones) which prohibit vehicles with "higher" emissions from entering, or charge a daily fee for them to do so because, of course, money trumps clean air. My only issue with this (which is theoretical, as I'm not intending to visit any of those places in my classic, or any other car) is that for cars the age of mine, there is no data on the emissions from the manufacturer, because no-one cared back in the mid-70s over here. But I can't present the emissions data from my annual test - if I choose to take one - which would provide data for my actual car. That's "too difficult to manage", presumably.

At this point I'm sure I'm about to be drummed out of the site, as I'm a bit of a classic car enthusiast. Aside from my "modern" daily driver (which just turned 22 years old, and has almost 190k miles on it) I have three classics and am currently restoring another. In terms of emissions, though, none of them do many miles per year, and of course there are way lower emissions from running all my cars than from manufacturing one new EV, so on balance I'm probably OK. And I do cycle, when it isn't too poor weather to do so.

yachi

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #10 on: June 27, 2022, 01:13:00 PM »
I keep thinking this when I see this thread.  Thinking you've lost your mind because they're expensive and they break.

Dicey

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #11 on: June 27, 2022, 03:05:20 PM »
I keep thinking this when I see this thread.  Thinking you've lost your mind because they're expensive and they break.
Me, too!

markbike528CBX

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #12 on: June 27, 2022, 07:27:05 PM »
I keep thinking this when I see this thread.  Thinking you've lost your mind because they're expensive and they break.
Me, too!
Sorry, I _think_ I fixed the thread name.

JAYSLOL

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #13 on: June 27, 2022, 09:29:13 PM »
My vehicles have been eligible for awhile, but here if you get collector plates you are only legally allowed to drive to/from car shows/special events.  Can't use it for commuting or errands anymore.

Same here, can’t even use it for pleasure use unless it’s to a car show.  I met a guy that had a really old Civic, like 1970s maybe, and before they changed the rules about collector plates he drove it everywhere with a set for like $200CDN/year (well less than 1/5th of the regular cost)

Just Joe

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #14 on: July 22, 2022, 03:36:51 PM »
My vehicles have been eligible for awhile, but here if you get collector plates you are only legally allowed to drive to/from car shows/special events.  Can't use it for commuting or errands anymore.

That. An antique car friend insists nobody ever checks but... I'd hate to have an accident though and wind up fending off lawyers chasing the scent of money.

moneypitfeeder

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #15 on: July 22, 2022, 06:08:36 PM »
Another thing no one tells you is that here in Pa if you drive less than 5,000 miles a year, you are exempt from the emissions test, on any vehicle.

WHAT! How have I never heard this...thank you!

markbike528CBX

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #16 on: October 25, 2022, 01:29:22 PM »
update:

I applied for the collector plate, but has yet to arrive.  -- Thread start June 18 2022.
The 2nd temporary tag is about to expire.

Apparently my state has a HUGE backlog of plates, it started before COVID.  I'm not sure what the deal is.

markbike528CBX

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #17 on: July 21, 2024, 02:32:26 PM »
Update:

The second bike(1993) is now eligible for collector plates.

I fully expect to get noticed ( civilians) and probably pulled over (police),
as it looks to non-motorcyclists as a modern full plastic fairing sportbike.

As before, the actual metal plates will be delayed.

Silrossi46

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #18 on: July 21, 2024, 06:10:13 PM »
Here in nj QQ OR historic are reserved for 25 years and older and are limited use. I have a 1997 Nissan maxima with 12k original miles with historic plates on it.  No inspection is required and I think I renew the registration every 4 years. Insurance is 168 dollars a year for an agreed value coverage.

I have classic insurance on my 2001 C5 corvette but no historic plates as it is not 25 years old.  The classic  me 3000 miles a year for 300 dollars a year and is insured full coverage for an agreed value. 

My other vehicles are all former police cruisers that I buy /fix /flip regularly and use a dealer plate on those.  I am a licensed dealer in nj.

Car Jack

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #19 on: July 22, 2024, 09:20:53 AM »
In my state, antique or year of manufacture plates cost $50 a year.  To receive antique plates, that's an additional $20.  So if getting antique plates, it's $120 for 2 years.  Normal plates are $60 for 2 years.  (120 Hz buzzer).  Not cheaper here.  These also do come with the restrictions.  Shows, repair, test drive and police WILL ticket you, especially if you're at the supermarket.  If you want to designate what the plate says, that's even more.  $100 a year.

markbike528CBX

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #20 on: December 10, 2024, 09:45:02 PM »
Update:

The second bike(1993) is now eligible for collector plates.

I fully expect to get noticed ( civilians) and probably pulled over (police),
as it looks to non-motorcyclists as a modern full plastic fairing sportbike.

As before, the  actual metal plates will be delayed.
Update, Still waiting for actual metal plates in November, 4 months.

spartana

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #21 on: December 10, 2024, 11:55:04 PM »
Update:

The second bike(1993) is now eligible for collector plates.

I fully expect to get noticed ( civilians) and probably pulled over (police),
as it looks to non-motorcyclists as a modern full plastic fairing sportbike.

As before, the  actual metal plates will be delayed.
Update, Still waiting for actual metal plates in November, 4 months.
How did I miss this tread! I had a early Honda 650 Nighthawk and also a early Yamaha 550 Maxim. Fun little cruisers. I sold them both sometime mid-late 2000s so probably would have been eligible for historic plates on at least the older Maxim. I used it for commuting and, once FIREd, my "road trip" vehicle so guess technically I couldn't get them as put ALOT of miles on them - well on the yamaha - but I googled them and it would be pretty sweet to have those plates. I upgraded to something much newer (plus another haha) and also sold them a few years ago so no old historic plates for me.

I am curious though why they don't allow you to ride/drive more if you have historic plates if your car/bike meets all regulations? Could you drive them to other states?

markbike528CBX

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #22 on: December 11, 2024, 09:26:31 AM »
Q Why not have historical/classic plates on daily drivers?
A: Money. 

Normal registration is $90 per year. 
In Washington state there are no annual passenger vehicle inspections, so the registration is for a tab to put on a plate.

All that said, no one is checking to see whether you’re using your classic vehicle as such.   
Travel interstate shouldn’t be a problem, if done as a non business.  I haven’t tried it yet.

roomtempmayo

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #23 on: December 11, 2024, 11:46:23 AM »
Q Why not have historical/classic plates on daily drivers?

I think I'd feel like a heel driving around in a 20 year old jalopy with collector's plates in a state where "routine transportation" is specifically prohibited.

Villanelle

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #24 on: December 11, 2024, 12:32:38 PM »
I think the plates exist so that people who have cars as collectible items, not transportation, have a way to keep them legal for the occasional trip to a car show or similar.  The whole point is that these are not transportation items.  Thus, they can not be used on cars that are used primarily for transportation, even if those cars meet the definition of collectibles. 

It's somewhat like the difference between the random coins in your wallet and a numismatist's curated collection.  Technically, they can all be used as legal tender, but the coin guy has no intention of buying Starbucks or laundry detergent with his coins.  But in the case of cars, they need to be registered for the occasional drive to the car show, where as coin requires no such registration.  So these low-cost plates exist.  It's fair that the person pay less since they aren't using the roads much at all.   

clarkfan1979

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #25 on: December 11, 2024, 02:16:16 PM »
Collector plate brag

Got collectors plate for the 1980 CBX (see username and avatar).
Savings ($40 this year and $93+/year going forward , no yearly tabs required)

Disclaimer:  This bike gets 32mpg, which is excessive, egregious, eminently not mushtachian, and lots of other things that begin with "e"

Other news, my 1993 CBR600F2 will be eligible next year.




References:
https://www.dol.wa.gov/forms/420499.pdf    --- the actual form to take to the licensing office.
"Collector Vehicle acknowledgement (must complete if requesting a Collector Vehicle or Horseless Carriage plate) – The use of collector vehicles is limited to participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional pleasure driving. The motor vehicle must be operated primarily as a collector vehicle and be in good running order to qualify. "

https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.18.220  -- law

Or I could have gotten personalized plates for even more money per year than regular plates,   CBX, CBX 6 were available... but my mustaschian muscles were strong so I resisted.
CBX528 or 528CBX were invalid combinations somehow.
https://fortress.wa.gov/dol/extdriveses/NoLogon/_/


Apparently this is well known in collector car/motorcycle circles, but I just found out about it.  But even at MMM fora, it shows up:

hey the search engine worked OK for once !
Previously mentioned collector plates:

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/mustachian-people-problems-(just-for-fun)/msg365783/#msg365783
"In Minnesota you could get collector plates and not have to pay registration tabs any more!  (but you are required to have an additional vehicle)"

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/oldest-car/msg144386/#msg144386
Minnesota cars are eligible at 20 years

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/anyone-have-an-antique-car-hobby/msg177361/#msg177361
Washington State   The next post (TX) was not as good a deal.

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/ask-a-mustachian/anyone-have-an-antique-car-hobby/msg177387/#msg177387
Missouri 20 years

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/welcome-to-the-forum/musings-on-my-first-year-of-bike-commuting/msg378883/#msg378883
Wisconsin 20 years old

Car registration in Colorado is expensive because it's based on the value of the vehicle. A new $80,000 truck has a registration fee of $1321/year.

I have a 1973 RV that I bought off of my uncle. He is a diesel mechanic. He fixed it up, used it for 8 years and then sold to me in 2015. The insurance is $118/year and the registration was $121 for 5 years because it's a collector vehicle.

spartana

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Re: Vehicle Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #26 on: December 11, 2024, 10:32:45 PM »
Q Why not have historical/classic plates on daily drivers?
A: Money. 

Normal registration is $90 per year. 
In Washington state there are no annual passenger vehicle inspections, so the registration is for a tab to put on a plate.

All that said, no one is checking to see whether you’re using your classic vehicle as such.   
Travel interstate shouldn’t be a problem, if done as a non business.  I haven’t tried it yet.
I was trying to remember what annual registration for an old motorcycle was in Calif but probably under $100. Not sure what a collector plate costs here. Newer or expensive motorcycles are probably closer to $300/year once all the fees are added in but it's also based on purchase price so just depends. No smogging on MC or annual inspection though. My sister has a 2000 Nissan as her only vehicle and her registration is ridiculously high, requires she passes smog test, and insurance is high too. Seems c4azy for a vehicle old enough to get a collector plate. But then I still don't understand "why" someone can't drive a street legal vehicle with collector plates more - and at reduced costs.

One thing they have here thru the air quality districts are incentives to get older higher polluting cars off the road and smash them. So maybe that's a reason they offer lower cost plates and registration for old cars/bikes but don't want them driven much.

Dicey

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Re: Collector plates are permanent, and don't cost that much.
« Reply #27 on: December 12, 2024, 10:04:18 AM »
Dang! DH has a 2002 F150, so I toddled off to Google Land. Unsurprisingly, CA requires a vehicle to be 25 years old to be eligible, whomp, whomp. We do get a discount on our insurance for having very low mileage, but CA offers no breaks on emissions testing. Of course, DH used to walk to work. Now that he's retired, it's possible that he will actually drive a bit more. Happily, we hope to still own it in 2027.

We did spring for vanity plates for our RV, mostly because we thought they might be a fun conversation starter while traveling. Unfortunately the DMV didn't print them as ordered. They omitted the blanks and smooshed the letters together., making it pretty hard to decipher. "What the hell does that mean?" is not a friendly conversation starter. DMV wants eight months to "research" their own mistake. If it's not fixed by the next renewal period, we're just going to turn them back in.
Since this keeps popping up in my feed, I may as well post an update. DH's truck is still going strong, so we may well get to collector plate territory with it. The CA DMV finally got our plates right for the RV, but it took an entire year. Did they refund us for the lost year? No they did not.