Pennsylvania PA antique vehicle tags

[KennyV]

Is anyone here familiar with Pennsylvania antique vehicle laws?
i have a ‘97 Tj its lifted with 37s and lots of other modifications, it says in the rules and regulations that it must be maintained to the manufacturers specifications, its not by any means at that level. Does anyone know how strict they are with these things?

 

[Jacket4256]

I am not sure about PA but in Tennessee they either could care less or will write you a ticket, just depends on the area and the troopers around mostly city and county could care less here.

 

[Westtown Willy]

Is anyone here familiar with Pennsylvania antique vehicle laws?
i have a ‘97 Tj its lifted with 37s and lots of other modifications, it says in the rules and regulations that it must be maintained to the manufacturers specifications, its not by any means at that level. Does anyone know how strict they are with these things?

What exactly are you trying to accomplish with antique plates on a vehicle that clearly does not meet the requirements?

The law is pretty clear on what antique registration plates require which is basically stock, & if you look at the application for these plates it requires you to certify that this is the case. Lying on the application is a criminal offense, in fact it's potentially two, so I guess my question is does it really matter how strict they are with these things, the question is are you willing to risk a criminal charge or two?

Pennsylvania law enforcement is not monolithic, no state's law enforcement is, so no matter how small the risk is it's still there and for what, to save a couple bucks on insurance or annual registration fees?

 

[LostintheForest]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish with antique plates on a vehicle that clearly does not meet the requirements?

The law is pretty clear on what antique registration plates require which is basically stock, & if you look at the application for these plates it requires you to certify that this is the case. Lying on the application is a criminal offense, in fact it's potentially two, so I guess my question is does it really matter how strict they are with these things, the question is are you willing to risk a criminal charge or two?

Pennsylvania law enforcement is not monolithic, no state's law enforcement is, so no matter how small the risk is it's still there and for what, to save a couple bucks on insurance or annual registration fees?

The benefit is permanent registration and no inspection. I am thinking of doing it myself, the tag shop I met the PO at said they don’t do antique reg??? That made no senses but I have had a Trooper II that was reg’d antique, never had any trouble with the fuzz.

 

[tnjeepguy]

What exactly are you trying to accomplish with antique plates on a vehicle that clearly does not meet the requirements?

Agree. Normally antique tags say only drive on special occasions; parade, etc. Bad idea.

https://www.dot.state.pa.us/public/dvspubsforms/BMV/BMV Fact Sheets/fs-ant.pdf

 

[Rubiconned]

Why would anyone want antique plates? Just to save $10 on registration renewals? Or to say to everyone "Hey, look, my Wrangler is old" as if they don't already know that. My state's antique plates are fugly and I won't get them.

 

[Rubiconned]

If you lived in FL, this is a cool plate

 

[Zorba]

If you lived in FL, this is a cool plate

View attachment 540220

I'm planning on grabbing that plate sometime next year (I can't right now due to statutes).

 

[Westtown Willy]

The benefit is permanent registration and no inspection. I am thinking of doing it myself, the tag shop I met the PO at said they don’t do antique reg??? That made no senses but I have had a Trooper II that was reg’d antique, never had any trouble with the fuzz.

I don't think you understood my question. I'm aware of the general benefits of antique plates for vehicles that actually qualify for them. I was asking what the OP's intention was in seeking plates for a vehicle that doesn't even remotely qualify & in the process of doing so committing criminal violations. If his answer is still to save ten cents & avoid inspections then I'd say it's a monumentally retarded move regardless of how remote the possibility is that some overzealous Johnny Law decides to break his balls. And I agree it is remote.

By the way I'm sure you know that "never having trouble with the fuzz" on a given issue is not a legal principle you can cite in your defense when trouble from the fuzz does decide to knock on your door. Jails are packed in no small part with fools that relied on such nonsense.

 

[LostintheForest]

I don't think you understood my question. I'm aware of the general benefits of antique plates for vehicles that actually qualify for them. I was asking what the OP's intention was in seeking plates for a vehicle that doesn't even remotely qualify & in the process of doing so committing criminal violations. If his answer is still to save ten cents & avoid inspections then I'd say it's a monumentally retarded move regardless of how remote the possibility is that some overzealous Johnny Law decides to break his balls. And I agree it is remote.

By the way I'm sure you know that "never having trouble with the fuzz" on a given issue is not a legal principle you can cite in your defense when trouble from the fuzz does decide to knock on your door. Jails are packed in no small part with fools that relied on such nonsense.

Yeah for sure, I know that my anecdotal experience is not legal precedent. And in PA reg renewal is about $50 a year and inspection emissions is between $70-$100 yearly depending where you go and if you are mileage exempt. Insurance companies also offer cheaper policies.

There are many legal downsides to it though, should only drive it once a week being the main one in my opinion. It really does open you up to more potential for trouble, so I agree. If you plan on daily driving it and having it modified and all that, legally, probably not worth it.

But people enjoy gambling.