Post by sYc_Nova on Jul 1, 2014 0:21:50 GMT -5
Have you ever been stopped and harassed by the cops for having antique plates?
I have, and they are poorly misinformed about the rules/laws. One motor cop even threatened the fact that if you aren't
just going to and from a parade, you had committed Felony perjury by filing your vehicle as such and using it otherwise.
Another thought if it was outside of being in a parade, you could only trailer it to shows and anything else.
You may want to do as I have and print this out and carry it with you for just such BS.
Bottom line is for antique plates, you can drive it to shows, meets, the shop for maintenance, etc, just not a daily driver.
Antiques do not require state inspection at all, but you must have the antique plates, or Year Of Manufacture plates with the little tag sticker.
For Classic level, you can have classic plates, or Year Of Manufacture, but must have the annual inspection sticker.
Otherwise, regular plates = regular tag and inspection stickers.
Here ya go-for Antique plates:
Texas Transportation Code:
§ 548.052. VEHICLES NOT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION. This chapter does not apply to:
(1) a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile home moving under or bearing a current
factory-delivery license plate or current in-transit license plate;
(2) a vehicle moving under or bearing a paper dealer in-transit tag, machinery license, disaster license,
parade license, prorate tab, one-trip permit, antique license, temporary 24-hour permit, or permit license;
Texas Antique Vehicle Provisions:
Antique license plates are issued for cars, trucks or motorcycles that are at least 25 years old and are a
collector’s item. The vehicle must be used exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades or other
functions of public interest. Vehicles displaying Antique plates may not be used for regular transportation
or carry advertising. The vehicle may be driven to and from a location for routine maintenance.
Note the wording "Exhibitions, Club Activities, Parades, and Other Functions Of Public Interest"
Well if you consider the C.A.R. a club, just as Texas Thunder is, that covers "club activities".
"Other functions of public interest" could fall under just going to the parking lot Saturday night, or
heck, even just driving around town on a pretty Saturday. The vehicles draw public interest.
Unfortunately, like most Texas laws, they are written very vaguely and full of gray questionable areas
that are left open entirely for the street cop to play judge and juror with, and leaving you to pay the
price in front of an actual judge later if you wish to argue much. Hopefully, showing this written copy
of the State Law will help, but if they persist, just sign the ticket and pass the attitude test and move on.
Hope this helps someone. At least having it in writing gives you a leg to stand on.
I have, and they are poorly misinformed about the rules/laws. One motor cop even threatened the fact that if you aren't
just going to and from a parade, you had committed Felony perjury by filing your vehicle as such and using it otherwise.
Another thought if it was outside of being in a parade, you could only trailer it to shows and anything else.
You may want to do as I have and print this out and carry it with you for just such BS.
Bottom line is for antique plates, you can drive it to shows, meets, the shop for maintenance, etc, just not a daily driver.
Antiques do not require state inspection at all, but you must have the antique plates, or Year Of Manufacture plates with the little tag sticker.
For Classic level, you can have classic plates, or Year Of Manufacture, but must have the annual inspection sticker.
Otherwise, regular plates = regular tag and inspection stickers.
Here ya go-for Antique plates:
Texas Transportation Code:
§ 548.052. VEHICLES NOT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION. This chapter does not apply to:
(1) a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile home moving under or bearing a current
factory-delivery license plate or current in-transit license plate;
(2) a vehicle moving under or bearing a paper dealer in-transit tag, machinery license, disaster license,
parade license, prorate tab, one-trip permit, antique license, temporary 24-hour permit, or permit license;
Texas Antique Vehicle Provisions:
Antique license plates are issued for cars, trucks or motorcycles that are at least 25 years old and are a
collector’s item. The vehicle must be used exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades or other
functions of public interest. Vehicles displaying Antique plates may not be used for regular transportation
or carry advertising. The vehicle may be driven to and from a location for routine maintenance.
Note the wording "Exhibitions, Club Activities, Parades, and Other Functions Of Public Interest"
Well if you consider the C.A.R. a club, just as Texas Thunder is, that covers "club activities".
"Other functions of public interest" could fall under just going to the parking lot Saturday night, or
heck, even just driving around town on a pretty Saturday. The vehicles draw public interest.
Unfortunately, like most Texas laws, they are written very vaguely and full of gray questionable areas
that are left open entirely for the street cop to play judge and juror with, and leaving you to pay the
price in front of an actual judge later if you wish to argue much. Hopefully, showing this written copy
of the State Law will help, but if they persist, just sign the ticket and pass the attitude test and move on.
Hope this helps someone. At least having it in writing gives you a leg to stand on.
