Understanding Historic and Authentic Model Year License Plates for Your Vehicle Model

Historic, Collector, and Collector – Authentic Model Year vehicles in Indiana offer unique registration options. Renewing these special registrations can be done conveniently through several methods.

For those seeking to renew their historic, collector, or authentic model year license plates, the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) provides multiple accessible options:

BMV Branch Visit: Renew in person at any BMV branch location.
Online Renewal via myBMV.com: Utilize the online platform myBMV.com for quick and easy renewal. Kiosk renewals are also available at select locations.
Mail-in Renewal: Follow these steps for renewal by U.S. Mail:
1. Instruction Packet Review: Download and carefully read the Renew by Mail Instruction Packet for detailed guidance.
2. State Form 56163 Completion: Print and complete State Form 56163, as instructed in the packet.
3. Collector Vehicle Affidavit (if applicable): If renewing a collector vehicle registration, print and complete the Collector Vehicle Affidavit – State Form 56166.
4. Document Compilation and Mailing: Gather all completed documents along with your payment and mail to:
  
  Winchester Processing Center
  PO Box 100309 West South St
  Winchester, IN 47394
5. Postmark Deadline: Ensure your renewal documents are postmarked on or before your renewal due date to avoid penalties.

To gain a deeper understanding of the distinctions between Historic Vehicles, Collector Vehicles, and Authentic Model Year License Plates, explore the details in the sections below.

Historic Vehicles

Collector Vehicles

Authentic Model Year License Plates

Delving into Historic Vehicle Registration

A Vehicle Model qualifies as historic in Indiana once it reaches 25 years of age or older. Registering a vehicle as historic allows you to obtain historic license plates. It’s important to note that historic vehicle registration involves standard registration fees, vehicle excise tax, and applicable county and municipal vehicle excise taxes.

For comprehensive information about associated costs, refer to the Vehicle Registration Fees and Taxes section.

Historic Vehicle Eligibility

Any vehicle model that is at least 25 years old and classified as either historic or collector is eligible for historic license plates. This broad eligibility ensures that many classic vehicle models can proudly display historic plates.

Collector Vehicle Registration and Authentic Model Year Plates

Registering your historic vehicle model as a collector vehicle offers the benefit of reduced registration fees. To qualify for collector vehicle registration, your vehicle model must meet specific criteria:

Age Requirement: The vehicle must be at least 25 years old, aligning with the historic vehicle age.
Collector’s Item Status: It must be owned, operated, restored, maintained, or used as a collector’s item, for leisure purposes, or as an investment. This signifies the vehicle’s special status beyond mere transportation.
Limited Transportation Use: The vehicle should not be primarily used for daily transportation. This reinforces the collector and leisure-oriented use of the vehicle model.

When initially registering your vehicle as a collector vehicle, and upon each annual renewal, you are required to submit a completed Collector Vehicle Affidavit – State Form 56166. This affidavit confirms that your vehicle model continues to meet the collector vehicle criteria.

License Plate Sticker and Frame Compliance

Ensure your license plate properly and visibly displays the registration stickers. Furthermore, check that your license plate frame does not obstruct any part of the plate, including the stickers and vehicle model year if displayed on the plate itself.

For detailed guidelines on sticker and frame placement, consult the Required Placement of Stickers and Frames information page. Proper display ensures compliance and avoids any potential issues.

Authentic Model Year License Plates: A Touch of Originality

For owners of collector vehicles seeking an extra layer of historical authenticity, Indiana offers the Authentic Model Year License Plate program. For an additional annual fee, you can display an authentic model year license plate on your registered collector vehicle.

Crucially, the authentic model year license plate does not need to be the original plate issued to your specific vehicle model. However, it must be an Indiana BMV-issued license plate from the same year as your vehicle’s model year. This allows for a historically accurate representation without requiring the impossible task of finding the original specific plate.

When utilizing an authentic model year license plate, a Historic license plate remains registered to the collector vehicle. The BMV issues a Certificate of Registration that notes the authentic model year license plate number. The authentic model year plate is displayed on the rear of the vehicle. It is mandatory to carry both the Historic license plate and the Certificate of Registration within the vehicle at all times, along with any current renewal year stickers. The Historic license plate itself must be renewed annually to maintain legal registration.

To legally use an authentic model year license plate on your collector vehicle model, you must present the plate for inspection at any BMV branch. The BMV inspection ensures the plate meets specific criteria. While refurbishment or restoration of an authentic model year plate is permissible, the BMV retains the right to reject a plate if it believes it deviates from the original specifications.

Furthermore, the authentic model year license plate must adhere to the following conditions to be approved for use:

Material: Must be constructed of metal, consistent with historical license plate manufacturing.
Condition: Must be in good or original condition, suitable for public display. Legibility of letters, numbers, and markings is paramount.
Fading: Minimal fading is acceptable, but the plate cannot be faded to an illegible state.
Rust: Only minor rust is permitted on the face of the plate. Excessive rust will lead to rejection.
Bending: The plate must not be bent or warped.
Holes: No unplanned or extra holes are allowed in the plate. Original mounting holes are acceptable.
Year Match: The plate must accurately match the BMV records’ picture of the license plate issued for the vehicle model year. This ensures historical accuracy and prevents misrepresentation.