Topic: How to save $140 on a Historic Plated Motorcycle in Michigan

[michiganmike]

In Michigan , If you plate your Antique-Historic-Vintage Motorcycle, 26 or more years old, with an Authentic License Plate, there is a one time fee of only $35....
read about it at this link http://www.michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1585_1595_52364-205712--,00.html
You will need a copy of the title and proof of insurance to include with the form.  When you go to your insurance agent, take a copy of this http://michigancatastrophic.com/ConsumerInformation/HistoricVehicles/tabid/2933/Default.aspx and make sure that the paperwork reflects the added discount of owning a Historic Vehicle and not paying the full amount of the MCCA assessment.  The Assessment Rate link is at the bottom.
This year , in Michigan, every vehicle is required to pay an Assessment of $175.   A Historic Vehicle only pays $35.
The MCCA Assessment is in addition to minimal Insurance Requirements. 
I personally have a 1972 Dodge pickup, 1979 Yamaha XS110 and 1973 CB750 plated and insured this way.
If you do it this way, you will save $140 per year, per vehicle.

[MJL]

Are there limitations to miles driven? I Indiana, you can plate vehicles "historic", but then I believe you are limited to X amount of miles a year. One of the cool things you can do here, is the "Year of manufacture" program, where you can run a plate from the same year your vehicle was made.

[wowbagger]

It's the same here in Maine. You can register it as an antique and you don't have to get antique vehicles inspected but you're limited to a certain number of miles a year.

[72 yellow]

Here in Michigan, I run year of manufacture plates on all my bikes.

[Bob Wessner]

The last time I checked into this in Michigan you are limited to riding to and from events. Has this changed?

[dougan]

In WI it's $25 to plate it forever, and the only restriction is that you can't drive it in January, which I'm sure is to prevent people from using it for winter beater cars but obviously not an impact for us.

[ekpent]

The last time I checked into this in Michigan you are limited to riding to and from events. Has this changed?

The last time I checked into this in Michigan you are limited to riding to and from events. Has this changed?

That is how I have understood it also Bob and have not heard that it has changed.Couple of Guys I know who do this have said the couple of times they have been pulled over are by Cops that don't recognize the plate and think there scofflaws,no tickets yet.

[Stev-o]

Hey Eric - you should do it, you could save over $4K a year!

[ekpent]

Hey Eric - you should do it, you could save over $4K a year!

I have thought about it actually.I usually get two plates a year so my Son and I can hop on a bike but do not want to risk getting pulled over as lets say sometimes the plates get moved around a little bit. A dealer friend recently said I should look into getting a license and plates but that sounds like trouble brewing also.Probably be more Government breathing down my neck.

[davis96]

There are two "antique" or "historic" options in Mississippi, for what it's worth:
1. You can put on era-correct plates (as in an actual old plate from the 70's), but you are limited to driving to and from events.
2. The infinitely better option is "antique motorcycle" plates for bike older than 25 years. One-time registration fee of $10, then you never have to mess with it again.

-Davis

[RFogelsong]

Similar rule here in Ohio.  You don't need any insurance stuff, just when you title the bike (over like 25 years old or whatever) you tell them you want historical plates. 

Technically you're limited to "driving it to shows and repair shops."  All I have to say is that there must be a lot of shows around 8 am on weekdays.  No problems at all, most cops don't care around here and would rather talk about the bike than the plates.  You can use a "display tag" rule which allows the original year of manufacture plates in lieu of the white and black "historical" tag, but you have to put the old plate on file at the DMV (no fee, just long lines).

Sounds like it's pretty similar everywhere.

[JimHanus]

According to the MI state website:

To qualify for an authentic license plate, the vehicle must be:

    26 or more years old
    Owned solely as a collector's item
    A vehicle registered with a regular historic plate or authentic historic plate cannot be used for general transportation. The vehicle can only used for participating in historical club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, car shows, swap meets, and similar uses.

 Fee:  $35 -- Make checks and money orders payable to State of Michigan. Authentic license plate applications must be submitted by mail.  Applications cannot be processed at a Secretary of State office.

Applying for an authentic historic plate

Owners need the following items:

    A color photocopy, a color scan, or color photograph of the license plate (passenger, commercial, trailer, or motorcycle). Do not mail the actual plate. Personalized, government, law enforcement, manufacturer, dealer, in-transit repair, disability, and special purpose plates cannot be used as authentic license plates. If in doubt, check with the department before purchasing a license plate.
    Proof of ownership, preferably a copy of the vehicle title
    Proof of Michigan no-fault insurance (not required for trailers)
    $35 -- make checks or money orders payable to State of Michigan

[72 yellow]

All true for Michigan.  I don't use the bikes for everyday use.  I have had no problems riding for the last 6 years.  Hope this doesn't change. 

[Duanob]

Same here in Washington. I bought a 1976 plate (last year for the green motorcycle plate, pretty cool) from a plate guy at a swap meet, took it down to the DOL with my title and for the fee they transferred. I know there is a limit on how much you can drive here but I haven't been pulled over yet.

[Bodi]

Ontario Canada has historic plates as well, they are limited to assorted uses including "test drives". There is no practical limitation on what a "test drive" is: one could test whether a vehicle can go coast-to-coast, carry groceries... anything.

[seanbarney41]

My bike is registered with a historic vehicle license plate and is my daily transportation, weather permitting.  I have been pulled over about 4 times for other issues (mostly speeding ).  If the officer asks I just tell them, I am moving the bike from shop to shop, testing/tuning, or the bike needs to be "exercised".  The cops have always either not bothered to ask, or not pressed the issue after giving an explanation.  They seem to quickly lose interest in the historic plate once they see your cycle endorsement and proof of insurance are in proper order.