Topic: The antique license plate appication in Louisiana ==> must restore to original

[vozzy]

I'd say if it costs more or was a hassle, to go with a regular bike tag. People SHOULD know what an "Antique" car, bike, etc. looks like, without a tag telling them it's one.

[fmctm1sw]

I have antique tags on both  my 350Fs.  When I got them, it was a flat rate $20 per year with no riding restrictions.  Florida recently about doubled registration costs so now this makes me think I need to go see what the advantage is.  At least there is no inspection required (for cars either!)

[pknopp]

I opted for a standard plate instead of WV antique tag for two reasons

First, I could not get a personalized antique tag

Next, with an antique tag I would only be permitted to drive from 4:pm Friday to 4pm Sunday, to shows, or for maintence purposes. I know many folks who blow those restriction off and ride when they damned well please. The benefits of an antique tag are we don't need to do a state inspection and the tags is good for years and cost less. But it is very restrictive. I also heard through the grapevine there may be a crack down in the future as they know these tags are being abused to avoid inspections.

 I use antique tags on my car (56 Pontiac) and my Dream. I drive them whenever I want. Nobody has ever hassled me. I did it for the reason noted above. I don't want to hassle with getting them inspected every year.
 
 Now they are safe but it's a hassle to convince the inspector that no, I do not have to have turn signals as the bike didn't come with them when new.

 It was a real hassle trying to convince one guy that my car did not have to have seat belts. I don't ride/drive either one of them in the middle of the night on a weekday so if I was stopped there is always an excuse I can come up with. (I just adjusted the brakes and needed to try them out).

[Gordon]

When I licensed my 750K1 here in Texas this summer, I had a choice between Antique and Classic plates.  The Antique plate limited usage to parades, car shows, etc.  The Classic plates had no such limitation.  Neither asked if the bike was stock or modified.

When I submitted my forms, the clerk asked for the color of my motorcycle - I couldn't figure that out until the plate arrived with Classic Motorcycle at the bottom IN RED. 

Rusty

I got my Texas "Classic Motorcycle" plates, too.  I'm a little disappointed that there's no graphic or anything else distinguishing it from a regular plate other than the wording along the bottom.  I was hoping for a picture of an old bike, or something. 

It's a shame that Michigan doesn't appear to offer anything other than the parade-restricted "Antique" plates for vehicles.  What do they have to lose?  Plates can now be printed out just like anything else, so the cost to the state wouldn't be more, and they'd get the extra fee from the licensee.  Seems like they're just turning away free money.

[TwoTired]

In Kalifornia, a motorcycle must 1942 or earlier to get antique plates.

It's 25 years for "Historic Vehicle" plates.

It both above cases, only for parades, club functions, to-from special show events.

Personally, I think it's just about state income, and the desire to keep it coming in.

[Gordon]

Personally, I think it's just about state income, and the desire to keep it coming in.

Exactly.  Which is why I don't understand why some states don't offer "Classic" plates for older vehicles, with no driving restrictions, but at an extra cost to the vehicle owner.  It's money for nothing, as far as the state is concerned, yet many of them still opt not to take it. 

[faux fiddy]

Personally, I think it's just about state income, and the desire to keep it coming in.

Exactly.  Which is why I don't understand why some states don't offer "Classic" plates for older vehicles, with no driving restrictions, but at an extra cost to the vehicle owner.  It's money for nothing, as far as the state is concerned, yet many of them still opt not to take it.

+1

Every state is broke. Sometimes different tag agents will tell you different prices for the same thing, in fact.  Something worth shopping around for.

[ronnie]

Hope, you don't have an old picture you can send them of your bike when it was closer to "stock"? I'm in the New Orleans area, from what I was told you can get a antique motorcyle plate, you just have to prove it was antique. I haven't gotten into it yet, my 350f just got road ready before I went offshore. So when I get back I have to get insurance, go register, and take the test. So i will find out in september what I am getting into as well. I hope i can get it cause I hear the insurance is cheaper...

[Blasbo]

In MS I have an antique tag with no restrictions and no expiration for $28.50. Because the bike had not been registered in the state previously, I had to have a regular tag for one year which was $33.
I don't remember any kind of residency requirements.

[vozzy]

Here's our car or bike tag:



Pretty bland. . . And the vehicle must be 25 years old

[CycleRanger]

Yeah, it's like they're not even trying....

[Gordon]

Yeah, it's like they're not even trying....

Mine's at least marginally better than that.  The "Classic Motorcycle" is printed in a cursive style.

[vozzy]

And in Indiana, you can run a plate from the same year bike was made for a mere $48, plus you get issued a Historic tag, which must be kept on the bike somewhere, and that's after a state trooper has inspected the bike to even get a Historic tag. . . AND you have to renew the plate EVERY year. . . They pretty much sucked the life out of anyone wanting to run an old plate. . . BMV: Bring Money, Vozzy

[RustyJC]

Yeah, it's like they're not even trying....

Mine's at least marginally better than that.  The "Classic Motorcycle" is printed in a cursive style.

Same here.

Rusty

[CycleRanger]

Yeah, it's like they're not even trying....

Mine's at least marginally better than that.  The "Classic Motorcycle" is printed in a cursive style.

Same here.

Rusty

Yeah, mine does too. That's an old image.  Still lame. 
I'm always searching for a period plate but good ones are elusive. 
Car plates are a dime a dozen, I had no problem finding a good pair of '67 plates for my Mustang but the bike plates I find are either beat up or more expensive then I care to pay.

[Hope]

Hope, you don't have an old picture you can send them of your bike when it was closer to "stock"? I'm in the New Orleans area, from what I was told you can get a antique motorcyle plate, you just have to prove it was antique. I haven't gotten into it yet, my 350f just got road ready before I went offshore. So when I get back I have to get insurance, go register, and take the test. So i will find out in september what I am getting into as well. I hope i can get it cause I hear the insurance is cheaper...

I have an old picture of my bike when it was closer to stock.

However, you also have to provide a sworn affidavit that states that the bike is currently in the condition represented in the photograph.  So, you have to lie in a sworn, notarized statement.  I really wouldn't want to have to do that.


ELIGIBILITY
Any private passenger automobile, van, private truck up to 10,000 lbs, motor home, or motorcycle which is at least twenty-five (25) years old and which has been restored to its original condition without modifications contrary to stock specifications, is eligible for this plate.