|
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
 
Location: Kingston Springs , TN | Hey Vols:
The State Assembly this year liberalized somewhat the law governing the usage of vehicles running antique tags. The law now allows us to drive our cars for general transportation on Saturday and Sunday.
http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/104/pub/pc0910.pdf
(Here's a copy of the legislation courtesy of the Memphis AACA Chapter)
Chapter No. 901 PUBLIC ACTS 2006, 1
CHAPTER No. 901
SENATE BILL NO. 3226
By Burchett, Cohen, Williams
Substituted for: House Bill No. 2964
By Hensley, Favors, Gresham, Roach, McKee, Bo Watson
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 55, Chapter 4, relative to antique motor vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-4-111(b), is amended by deleting the last sentence of subdivision (1) in its entirety and by substituting the following language:
For the purpose of this section, “antique motor vehicle” is a motor vehicle over twenty five (25) years old with a non-modified engine and body which is used for participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar uses as a collector’s item, and which
MAY BE USED FOR GENERAL TRANSPORTATION ONLY ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-4-11(b), is further amended by deleting subdivision (3) in its entirety and by substituting instead the following language:
(3) Any person violating the provisions of this section, or operating an antique motor vehicle for general transportation purposes on a day other than Saturday or Sunday, shall forfeit such antique motor vehicle registration, shall be liable for the regular registration fee for that vehicle, and shall be barred from applying for or holding antique motor vehicle registration for five (5) years from the date of such violation.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
PASSED: May 27, 2006
APPROVED this 20th day of June 2006
You may want to cut and paste the above and stick it in your glove compartment!
Mike
|
|
| |
|
 
| Here's another one to print out and keep in your glovebox...
http://tennessee.gov/sos/acts/102/pub/pc0004.pdf
Owners of classic cars may legally run vintage license plates in Tennessee.
For example, my '56 Dodge is currently running a 1956 Tennessee plate.
(Of course, a current plate - antique or regular - must be registered to the car and presented upon request.)
I'm assuming the same would apply for Tennessee residents who wish to run a vintage plate from another state, too.
-NM |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
Location: Kingston Springs , TN | Great job Nathan in placing both these laws in one convenient place!
Mike |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 331
Location: Northern North Carolina | My57Saratoga - 2006-12-09 10:25 PM
(3) Any person violating the provisions of this section, or operating an antique motor vehicle for general transportation purposes on a day other than Saturday or Sunday, shall forfeit such antique motor vehicle registration, shall be liable for the regular registration fee for that vehicle, and shall be barred from applying for or holding antique motor vehicle registration for five (5) years from the date of such violation.
So, what's the benefit of choosing this "antique" registration (vs regular registration), given the B.S. restrictions? For me, the benefit would have to be substantial, to convince me to forfeit my right to drive my car anytime, anywhere I chose. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
Location: Kingston Springs , TN | Here in Tennessee the antique plate usage used to be even more restrictive...no "general transportation"...you could only use the car to go to club events, car shows, etc. I guess having use on Saturday and Sunday is better than nothing...
Mike |
|
| |
|
| 57PlymouthNC - 2007-12-17 9:49 PM
So, what's the benefit of choosing this "antique" registration (vs regular registration), given the B.S. restrictions? For me, the benefit would have to be substantial, to convince me to forfeit my right to drive my car anytime, anywhere I chose.
My57Saratoga - 2007-12-17 10:54 PM
Here in Tennessee the antique plate usage used to be even more restrictive...no "general transportation"...you could only use the car to go to club events, car shows, etc. I guess having use on Saturday and Sunday is better than nothing...
Mike
In my county, the "antique auto" plate runs only 25 bucks... That's it! No more money - EVER - to register the car.
(Currently, we don't have a wheel tax, but I believe that's a one-time charge on these vehicles, too.)
As with most laws, there are a few negatives that may discourage some from registering for "antique" tags.
Meanwhile, there are PLENTY of advantages - and a few ways to get around the limitations.
For instance, aside from unlimited weekend use, the cars are to be used only for car club events, shows, maintenance, etc.
BINGO! Maintenance... That's the ticket! Just keep some spare parts in the trunk and Voila! There you have it!
"Officer, I was on my way (over to / back from) so-and-so's place to get some work done. I'm out on a test run to make sure we got everything fixed the way it should be."
Still worried about being pulled over because you're out cruising on a weekday? There's a solution to that, too.
The fact is, unless you're involved in an accident or get pulled over, most cops won't hassle you in regard to running around on an "antique auto" plate - especially if they don't SEE it. Simply get a period-correct tag from the year your car was made, and display that one on the vehicle instead. Under the other law mentioned on this thread, it's perfectly legal to display the "Year Of Manufacture" tag place of a currently-registered plate. (Just be sure the car is registered, and the currently-registered tag is readily available and in the car.)
My '56 Dodge runs an authentic 1956 Tennessee plate, but was registered for an "antique auto" plate.
For what it's worth, I've NEVER been questioned by law enforcement regarding the status of my car's registration.
Bottom Line: Antique tags are cheap... and the laws that limit their use are somewhat hard to enforce.
Therefore, I'd recommend them to anyone - even if they like to drive their classic on a regular basis.
-NM |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 614
Location: Kingston Springs , TN | We have a wheel tax here in Shelby County, but don't have to pay it on antique plates...just the 25 bucks....
Mike |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 314
Location: San Antonio Tx | Thanx Nathan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where were you at back in August when I was sweating bullets over Memphis vehicle inspection, I could have bought antique tags and then used my 1960 Year of Manufacture tags. Never did pass inspection...got the car titled and registered in Mich still saved half the money of Memphis/TN |
|
| |
|
| Tennessee House Transportation Committee
(Click here to email all Committee members)
Representative Phillip Pinion – Chair
Phone: 615/741-0718
Fax: 615/741-1005
Email: rep.phillip.pinion@legislature.state.tn.us
Representative George Fraley
Phone: 615/741-8695
Fax: 615/741-5759
Email: rep.george.fraley@legislature.state.tn.us
Representative Bill Harmon
Phone: 615/741-6849
Fax: 615/253-0264
Email: rep.bill.harmon@legislature.state.tn.us
Representative Curt Cobb
Phone: 615/741-6824
Fax: 615/253-0344
Email: rep.curt.cobb@legislature.state.tn.us
Representative Vince Dean
Phone: 615/741-1934
Fax: 615/253-0271
Email: rep.vince.dean@legislature.state.tn.us
Representative Henry Fincher
Phone: 615/741-1875
Fax: 615/532-6973
Email: rep.henry.fincher@legislature.state.tn.us
Representative Dale Ford
Phone: 615/741-1717
Fax: 615/253-0301
Email: rep.dale.ford@legislature.state.tn.us
Representative G.A. Hardaway
Phone: 615/741-5625
Fax: 615/741-1005
Email: rep.ga.hardaway@legislature.state.tn.us
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1506
Location: Colo Spgs | Hola Vol's
I just posted a like comment at the Rocky Mtn Section. I have driven a vehicle with
YOM Plates from here in Colo Spgs to ReNo ( stayed a week ) and into Neb. This
is part of the "Going to an Event" and "Event" Wording.
So far I have never had to tell a new Traffic Officer that I was "test riding" or the such.
Rodger & Gabby
COS |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 81
Location: Northeast Tennessee | Hi Rodger,
As far as I know in TN as long as you are following the laws of the state your car is registered in you can have the car tagged as to the laws of your state. I have TN Antique plates on my Desoto and have never been questioned when on the rare occasion that I drive it to work during the weekdays or such.
Larry |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2653
Location: Minor Hill, TN | I have a 1961 Tennesee tag on my 1961 fury . |
|
| |
|
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13097
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Driving an antique car only on the weekends - Oh my, oh my, where's this world going to (O'er the land of the free)??????????????????????????????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xowFodyJEkc |
|
| |
|
New User
Posts: 1
| OK Guys I found this thread and joined up on this forum. I live in Williamson County TN (Franklin). I just bought a 1950 Ford F1 restored panel truck (restored, not resto-modded) which has not been delivered yet (from Chicago area). I was looking at the TN DMV website to see how I need to register the vehicle here. I plan to use this truck as my primary vehicle, and don't like the restrictions about only driving on the weekends or for troubleshooting repairs.
I am thinking I might be able to register it just as I would a newer vehicle (not antique tags), but I think they have me by the short hairs there too, since the vehicle I will be registering is 64 years old (almost as old as me). So can anyone comment about the best way to do this other than establishing residence in Colorado or somewhere else that doesn't pass stupid laws.
Obviously I will need an emission exemption because of the age of this vehicle.
Any suggestions... Anyone??
Joe Weigel |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2312
Location: Arizona | A lot of states have emissions exempted ANY vehicle older the either some XX number of years of age or older then 19XX. So I'd start there and see if TN has. If they have you can just register it normally but won't need to do the emissions test. If you are going to drive it as your primary vehicle that's probably the best way to go if you can plus get regular insurance for it, not classic unless you can find classic insurance that doesn't require you to limit it's use to "events, Maintenance, etc. Also a lot of time classic insurance wants it to be parked in a garage. If you do get regular insurance you should find out how they handle "totaling" it if it gets badly crunched. Classic insurance usually is agreed value whereas regular insurance is usually "book value". If you have to go "classic plates" to get the emissions inspection you may just have to be careful in what you say you are doing with it and make sure the insurance isn't going to bite you if they find out your using it as a daily driver. In AZ you can only get Classic/antique plates if your insurance is "classic" insurance with those limitations. However, when I registered mine they never really asked any questions so I don't know if the MVD really pays attention to that part of the law. If they do it may only be for the initial paperwork. Once you have the plate on I would think you could switch to a regular policy and they would never know you switched. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1756
Location: Alaska | Does anyone know of a business that can duplicate old license plates? Long story, short version, we have a law in Ak. that requires running plates front and rear. I have found several old plates in an old salvage yard but not a matching pair. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1385
Location: Ocala, Florida | They regulate when YOU get to drive YOUR own car. That's just crazy. |
|
| |
|
New User
Posts: 1
| This isn't a draconian rule forcing old cars off the road, it's a valid option for those with classic (25 years or older) cars to avoid some of the costs associated with newer cars. They regulate when you get to drive a car that you avoid paying road (wheel) tax on because you told the state by applying for an antique tag, that it is an occasional use plaything.
If you are going to use it as your daily, then just get a regular license plate. You are not required to get an antique tag because your vehicle is over 25 years old, it's just an option that is available. You say you'll play by their rules, only bringing it out for shows, cruises, cruise-nights, and the occasional trip to work, and in exchange for sticking to these rules, they allow you to run your car without having to renew your plates and pay $60-plus every year.
I also like the fact that they specifically wrote the rule to allow you to run plates that are appropriate to the age of the vehicle, instead of having to run whatever design they think looks good in Nashville now. You just have the antique tag in the car ready to present to the officer if you're driving like an idiot. |
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 5117
| wow Tennessee is anal...
Edited by mikes2nd 2014-08-10 11:22 AM
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2653
Location: Minor Hill, TN | The Chrysler Kid - 2014-07-22 11:08 AM
They regulate when YOU get to drive YOUR own car. That's just crazy. I agree. I drive my '61 on the week days and it has a 1961 Tennesee plate on the back. Its a test drive or taking it to the fuel station to put fuel in it.
Edited by 1961plymouthfury 2014-09-05 3:53 AM
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2653
Location: Minor Hill, TN | The Chrysler Kid - 2014-07-22 11:08 AM
They regulate when YOU get to drive YOUR own car. That's just crazy. I agree. I drive my '61 on the week days and it has a 1961 Tennesee plate on the back. 1 of these week days it will go to the tint shop and get the windows tinted
Edited by 1961plymouthfury 2014-09-05 3:54 AM
|
|
| |
Tennessee Antique Motor Vehicle Laws
