Periodically the question comes up regarding when and where we can drive our cars plated with Minnesota collector plates. Every few years I have posted the current law. Attached is Minnesota statute 168.10 sub 1c. I am not a lawyer but was told by DMV that as long as you have a car with regular plates as a daily driver there is no prohibition on when and where we can drive a car with collector plates, with the exception of use as a daily driver of course.
I suggest you print off a copy of the statute and put it with your insurance papers should the question ever come up during a traffic stop.
2022 Minnesota Statutes
168.10 REGISTRATION; COLLECTOR VEHICLE.
Subd. 1c.Collector's vehicle, collector plate.
(a) The owner of any self-propelled motor vehicle, including any truck, (1) that is (i) at least 20 model years old, or (ii) at least ten model years old and with a body or engine style of which not more than 500 were manufactured in or imported into the United States in any model year, (2) that was manufactured after 1935, and (3) that is owned and operated solely as a collector's vehicle, shall list the vehicle for taxation and registration as provided in paragraph (b).
(b) The owner shall execute an affidavit stating (1) the name and address of the person from whom purchased and of the new owner, (2) the make of the motor vehicle, (3) the year and number of the model, (4) the manufacturer's identification number, (5) in the case of a vehicle described in paragraph (a), clause (1)(ii), that the vehicle has a body or engine style of which not more than 500 were manufactured or imported into the United States in any model year, and (6) that the vehicle is owned and operated solely as a collector's item and not for general transportation purposes.
(c) The owner shall provide a statement of the manufacturer or importer regarding the number of vehicles manufactured or imported during the model year.
(d) The owner shall also prove that the owner also has one or more vehicles with regular license plates.
(e) If the commissioner is satisfied that the affidavit is true and correct and the owner pays a $25 tax and the plate fee authorized under section 168.12, the commissioner shall list the vehicle for taxation and registration and shall issue a single number plate.
(f) The number plate issued shall bear the inscription "Collector," "Minnesota," and the registration number or other combination of characters authorized under section 168.12, subdivision 2a, but no date. The number plate is valid without renewal as long as the vehicle is in existence in Minnesota. The commissioner has the power to revoke the plate for failure to comply with this subdivision.
jim larson said
Jun 21, 2023
Another question regarding plates. Say you want to display original plates, like those issued in 1966. Is there some way to determine which prefixes can be used and which are too similar to current specialty plates?
-- Edited by jim larson on Wednesday 21st of June 2023 07:53:35 AM
It is NOT available as a special plate due to the states decision to sell the other environmental, or specialty plates.
They have the same sequence Number, letter, letter, number, number, number.
That is what I was told when I tried to get it for my other Biscayne post car.
Unless something has changed, that is my understanding.
Karl
Jon H said
Jun 21, 2023
You have to ask DMV if that alpha numeric sequence of plate is in use.
Jon H said
Jun 21, 2023
My '69 Road Runner was 4XT159. DMV said no.
Lost in the 60s said
Jun 21, 2023
Nothing with a 7 as the first number is allowed anymore. The friggen state REMOVED mine for my '66 a few years ago, so they could use that sequence to sell the expensive specialty plates. I had to get another set. So much for them telling us they would leave these plate sequences alone years ago.
bowtie said
Jun 21, 2023
Thanks Jon, I actually got a question about this topic today at work.
I will add that you CAN get personalized collectors plates for a fee, but it's best to bring a list of 5 because so many are taken or not allowed (like mentioned above), and you can have them re-register previously issued plates to you vs the original purchaser, but I don't know the specifics.
Also, in Minnesota, a collector plate only needs to be displayed on the back. A vanity plate can be displayed on the front. If they ask wether you want 1 or 2 plates, always get both. if nothing else, it's a good wall hanger.
jim larson said
Jun 22, 2023
I was allowed to register this plate. Disallowed the previous photo. They say some are allowed, some not depending if they are too similar to newer specialty plates.
-- Edited by jim larson on Thursday 22nd of June 2023 06:46:12 AM
Plus we have collector numbered plates on the 1966 white Elcamino and the 1964 Cutlass Convertible.
Also MRMAGOO on the 1937 Chevrolet. MRPLOW, MUMZIE and GRRMPY also.
Soooo, a bunch of these things. Usually a play with numbers and letters.
Put PLOWZER and MNTWINS on a couple of shop vehicles.
I usually go with two or three options, they look up for me at DMV, see if available, if so, put down first choice with second choice option.
Have had very good luck.
They usually want a definition of plate meaning and will weed out names that may be considered inappropriate, have fun.
Have almost always gotten my first choice.
Very little drama, easy to do.
Hope this helps,
Karl
OscarZ said
Jun 23, 2023
I have an original plate on my Chevelle and it is 6VD747. I have it registered as a regular plate vs collector. It has been in use since the 90s so even though the the new deer plates are 6XX### I have still been able to continue with using it. Maybe someday they will decide to not.
Periodically the question comes up regarding when and where we can drive our cars plated with Minnesota collector plates. Every few years I have posted the current law. Attached is Minnesota statute 168.10 sub 1c. I am not a lawyer but was told by DMV that as long as you have a car with regular plates as a daily driver there is no prohibition on when and where we can drive a car with collector plates, with the exception of use as a daily driver of course.
I suggest you print off a copy of the statute and put it with your insurance papers should the question ever come up during a traffic stop.
2022 Minnesota Statutes
168.10 REGISTRATION; COLLECTOR VEHICLE.
Subd. 1c.Collector's vehicle, collector plate.
(a) The owner of any self-propelled motor vehicle, including any truck, (1) that is (i) at least 20 model years old, or (ii) at least ten model years old and with a body or engine style of which not more than 500 were manufactured in or imported into the United States in any model year, (2) that was manufactured after 1935, and (3) that is owned and operated solely as a collector's vehicle, shall list the vehicle for taxation and registration as provided in paragraph (b).
(b) The owner shall execute an affidavit stating (1) the name and address of the person from whom purchased and of the new owner, (2) the make of the motor vehicle, (3) the year and number of the model, (4) the manufacturer's identification number, (5) in the case of a vehicle described in paragraph (a), clause (1)(ii), that the vehicle has a body or engine style of which not more than 500 were manufactured or imported into the United States in any model year, and (6) that the vehicle is owned and operated solely as a collector's item and not for general transportation purposes.
(c) The owner shall provide a statement of the manufacturer or importer regarding the number of vehicles manufactured or imported during the model year.
(d) The owner shall also prove that the owner also has one or more vehicles with regular license plates.
(e) If the commissioner is satisfied that the affidavit is true and correct and the owner pays a $25 tax and the plate fee authorized under section 168.12, the commissioner shall list the vehicle for taxation and registration and shall issue a single number plate.
(f) The number plate issued shall bear the inscription "Collector," "Minnesota," and the registration number or other combination of characters authorized under section 168.12, subdivision 2a, but no date. The number plate is valid without renewal as long as the vehicle is in existence in Minnesota. The commissioner has the power to revoke the plate for failure to comply with this subdivision.
Another question regarding plates. Say you want to display original plates, like those issued in 1966. Is there some way to determine which prefixes can be used and which are too similar to current specialty plates?
-- Edited by jim larson on Wednesday 21st of June 2023 07:53:35 AM
The plate for my original Biscayne was 3NL427
It is NOT available as a special plate due to the states decision to sell the other environmental, or specialty plates.
They have the same sequence Number, letter, letter, number, number, number.
That is what I was told when I tried to get it for my other Biscayne post car.
Unless something has changed, that is my understanding.
Karl
You have to ask DMV if that alpha numeric sequence of plate is in use.
My '69 Road Runner was 4XT159. DMV said no.
Nothing with a 7 as the first number is allowed anymore. The friggen state REMOVED mine for my '66 a few years ago, so they could use that sequence to sell the expensive specialty plates. I had to get another set. So much for them telling us they would leave these plate sequences alone years ago.
I will add that you CAN get personalized collectors plates for a fee, but it's best to bring a list of 5 because so many are taken or not allowed (like mentioned above), and you can have them re-register previously issued plates to you vs the original purchaser, but I don't know the specifics.
Also, in Minnesota, a collector plate only needs to be displayed on the back. A vanity plate can be displayed on the front. If they ask wether you want 1 or 2 plates, always get both. if nothing else, it's a good wall hanger.
I was allowed to register this plate. Disallowed the previous photo. They say some are allowed, some not depending if they are too similar to newer specialty plates.
-- Edited by jim larson on Thursday 22nd of June 2023 06:46:12 AM
I still know very little about many things.
I do have multiple "vanity " plates.
ITZHIZZ (collector) INDNIAL (collector) 1956LT4 (collector) ITZHERZ (regular) BLAKTRK, REDTRUK, PUTRTRK, BLUTRUK, all regular.
Plus we have collector numbered plates on the 1966 white Elcamino and the 1964 Cutlass Convertible.
Also MRMAGOO on the 1937 Chevrolet. MRPLOW, MUMZIE and GRRMPY also.
Soooo, a bunch of these things. Usually a play with numbers and letters.
Put PLOWZER and MNTWINS on a couple of shop vehicles.
I usually go with two or three options, they look up for me at DMV, see if available, if so, put down first choice with second choice option.
Have had very good luck.
They usually want a definition of plate meaning and will weed out names that may be considered inappropriate, have fun.
Have almost always gotten my first choice.
Very little drama, easy to do.
Hope this helps,
Karl