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Maryland Historic Tags as DD

Joemakerman

Joemakerman

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Westminster, MD
What are all your thoughts on historic tags being put an a DD? I know multiple people that have done it and never had any problems; Maryland law enforcement just doesn't care. My buddy even got pulled over for improperly displayed front license plate and the cop just mentioned he can't drive his car except to and from car shows. There's no way anyone would mistake my friend's car for a car show, which is just proof if you ask me. But then the thought does arise: those tags are meant for people with collector cars so they can save money. What you all think?

-Joe
 
I guess it depends on the company. Apparently some companies have mileage limits, but I'm not sure how they'd know. Do they ask mileage when you purchase insurance?
 
I would assume if state law says X, and you are in violation of X, it only takes the right officer to nail you for it. The law is against you in this case, it sounds like. Probably don't hassle people for it most of the time because it's pretty hard to prove that a random individual isn't going to a car show, or whatever else the law might allow for that type of plate in your state. But if the same officer sees you driving to/from work or school every week?

But look at the actual law for your state...in WA it's to and from car shows, tuning, and something along the lines of "benefit to others". As I said in another post on this same topic, IMO every time I drive the truck it's tuning, and that's truthful. I wonder if this is one of the reasons that there are so many "car shows" arranged, so that people can say they are going to or from said car show, in case they get pulled over. In the summer, it's impossible to go more than 50 miles without there being some sort of car show.

At some point, if abuse gets out of control, people who use the plates improperly will get things changed. Already been TV station "investigations" about people abusing the plates here, so it's probably just a matter of time before the few ruin it for the many. My excuse of always tuning, while technically true, is probably outside the intent of the law.
 
Yea man... Liberty Mutual told me "classic insurance", means less than 500miles per year.
They also require a photo of the odometer, or have a rep. come check it.

Im with Dyeager, too.
The right cop, on the wrong day, will nail you for it.

And, EVERY car can be a show car.... No matter the condition.
 
Around here you often see them on old junkers because it exempts them from the safety inspection, and antique plates start at 25 years old. There are a lot of requirements as far as mileage, radius you can drive from your house, etc. I don't think law enforcement is too concerned, but I imagine questions might come up in the event of an accident, particularly where insurance is concerned. Not worth saving the 16.75 since around here the safety inspection is pretty basic (working lights, wipers, brakes, parking brake, tires, etc) and there is no emissions.
 
We don't have to get tabs with "collector" plates, which is an additional ~$50/year savings. Pay for the plates the first time, and you are done. Fairly helpful if you keep the car more than a year.

Never checked into the insurance aspect, for a true collector vehicle I'm sure you'd want coverage that would represent the actual value of the car, but for a car that might be your collector vehicle, but not particularly worth much, I would imagine the insurance company wouldn't care what type you got, your problem if you don't carry enough or the right type of coverage, unless of course you violate some law.

Agree, would have a hard time explaining special plates if involved in a wreck and you are coming back from wheeling, or en route to work, etc.

This is WA's wording:

To and from auto shows, circuses, parades, displays, special excursions, and antique car club meetings.
For testing purposes.
For the pleasure of others without compensation.
 
Welcome to CK5. I am in Westminster, MD too!

I see a lot of people that run Historic Tags around here on their Daily Driver. I do know a guy that got busted for DD on historic tags but his truck was a rust bucket. I agree Cops don't seem to bother the historic tags much.

From the MVA Website:
"A vehicle registered as historic cannot be used for general daily transportation, or primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways. It can only be used in exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, occasional transportation and similar uses."

Personally I am not sure I would DD on a historic tag. On the other hand it can be very difficult to pass MD inspection with an old vehicle depending on the shop doing the inspection. Like others mentioned it may be an insurance issue too. (My insurance company makes me fill out a mileage form every year for my truck titled historic)

I currently have historic tags on my offroad truck but as it has now turned into a truggy I will be switching to Street Rod tags so I don't have to deal with tire coverage issues and lift laws but the same rules apply for usage.
 
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I commuted from Westminster MD to Rockville 70 miles away for years. Saw tons of historic vehicles used as daily drivers regularly. All those carroll county kids in huge lifted trucks are all running historic tags
 
I agree with what Nick and Dan both said :D I run street rod tags on my K30 simply because it meets the criteria of the Mva, 25 or older, and "substantially modified from stock form" :haha: and I certainly dont DD it.

I have DD a few K5's with historic plates over the years and never had an issue, but that was back when I generally never left Harford county. I see quite a few cars/trucks up and down 95 everyday still running them soo..


On insurance, totally depends on your company. Some want mileage proof, pics etc, mine doesn't care what tags I run and simply ask for a estimate of annual mileage for each vehicle. My truck although tagged street rod is under a "normal" policy not a collector/ classic policy, which they do offer but is not really cheaper or better for my purposes.


So the question remains, should you, could you, would you .........the best I can say is .....it depends :D. on the vehicle, your area, and planned usages.
 
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