Antique license plate question...

[HD48FL]

Not sure where this fits so I'm posting here. Does anyone have knowledge if you can use a vintage motorcycle plate in New Jersey? I have a set of '48 plates and wanted to have them put on the registration for my '48. I've heard that some states allow this and some don't. I asked my local dmv yesterday and they really didn't know. They gave me a number to call and the person I spoke to didn't seem to know and simply said no. If anyone has done this in New Jersey or has known someone who has please let me know how to go about it.

[RSmith]

Authentic License Plate

HD48FL -

I just went through the same application process, here
in Michigan, to register my Vintage motorcycle,
with a same year Michigan License Plate attached.

First, I found the closest License Plate Collector's
organization in Michigan, (on line). For $20 the
fellow there sent me a perfect license plate, for
my bikes year of manufacture, in the mail.

Then, I made out the application, attached a color
copy print of the plate and sent it into the Secretary
of State, with the required fee.

Two weeks later, my new Vehicle Registration came
back, with the original plate listed as the Official plate
for my bike. Easy.

BUT .... as you can see from the below rules ....
a motorcycle registered in Michigan, with the non-expiring,
Authentic plate, CANNOT be used for daily travel.

"The one time registration fee is $35.
Vehicles with Authentic License Plates attached,
cannot be used for daily transportation. Only for
trips to and from Displays, Events, Expositions,
or Shows, dealing with Vintage vehicles."

Good Luck! R. Smith


Authentic License Plate Application Process

Michigan allows you to use a same-year general use
Michigan license plate to register an antique vehicle. Reproduction
or remanufactured plates are not allowed. The plate must display the
correct colors for the plate year. The one time registration fee is $35.
Vehicles with Authentic License Plates attached cannot
be used for daily transportation. Only for trips, to and
from Displays, Events, Expositions, or Shows dealing with Vintage
Vehicles.

To obtain a registration, send the following items-

(A) A color photocopy, a color scan, or color photograph of the
license plate (passenger, commercial, trailer, or motorcycle) you plan
to use. Do not mail the original plate. Personalized, governmental,
law enforcement, manufacturer, dealer, intransit repair, disability, and
special purpose license plates cannot be used as authentic license plates.
If in doubt, check with the Department before purchasing a license plate.

(B) Proof of ownership, preferably a copy of the title.
(C) Proof of Michigan no-fault insurance.
(D) $35 fee (make checks payable to “State of Michigan”).
(E) The completed application located on page 2.

You will receive a new registration within two weeks.

[flthead]

n.j. plates

nothing is legal in jersey , so no plates from '48

[kval]

HD48FL
the year of manufacture plate is NOT legal in New Jersey, they have a historical plate for motorcycles. that you pay for once and every three years they send a new registration form to fill out for no cost, you also do not have to go to inspection.
I drove around for 20 years with a 1941 plate on my bike and only got stopped once, had to take it off last year on the Empire road run to cross into Canada
Kevin

[AFJ]

HD48FL
the year of manufacture plate is NOT legal in New Jersey, they have a historical plate for motorcycles. that you pay for once and every three years they send a new registration form to fill out for no cost, you also do not have to go to inspection.
I drove around for 20 years with a 1941 plate on my bike and only got stopped once, had to take it off last year on the Empire road run to cross into Canada
Kevin

Actually Ontario has the Year-of-Manufacture plate option for bikes over 30 years of age and since it has reciprocity with US states on all other aspects of traffic legislation it would have been legal.

AFJ

[Ross]

In Manitoba Canada we have only a vintage motorcycle plate which is basically useless, only to and from repairs. Very restrictive. We here are currently lobbying to have a collector plate and then would like to persue the year of manufacture after that. I would be very interested to know what states have collector plates for motorcycles etc. Is there one web source that could answer this issue or does someone have this information? As a sidenote there is a very active license plate collector's club in America called ALPCA (Automobile License Plate Collectors Association). They have thousands of members and a very informative website. A good source for those looking for original plates for their bikes.