old NY plates
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Staten Island NY
old NY plates
I was at a flea market and I picked up a pair of ny plates from the the early 70's anyone know if i will be able to register the car with them, or are they just for show. I see alot of cars with them at the shows. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,050
Likes: 9
From: Fairport NY
Here is the info from the NYS DMV:
What are vintage plates?
Vintage plates are the authentic vehicle plates that were issued in NYS during the model year of the vehicle. You can put vintage plates on a historical vehicle instead of historical plates. For example, you can use a set of authentic vehicle plates that the DMV issued in 1963 on a vehicle of model year 1963. You must provide a full set of original vintage plates. The DMV cannot issue a registration for vehicle plates that are copies or that are painted again. Vintage plates issued in the model year of 1972 and earlier must display the embossed year or have the original metal tab for that year. Make sure that the tab is attached and legible. A sticker that indicates the model year is not required to use the vintage plates. Vintage plates issued in the model year of 1973 and later do not have metal tabs or plate stickers.
How do I get vintage plates?
You can buy vintage plates from a local source like an automobile collector, an antique dealer, or a flea market. Make sure that the vintage plates are authentic. Newer copies are not acceptable for a vintage registration.
What are vintage plates?
Vintage plates are the authentic vehicle plates that were issued in NYS during the model year of the vehicle. You can put vintage plates on a historical vehicle instead of historical plates. For example, you can use a set of authentic vehicle plates that the DMV issued in 1963 on a vehicle of model year 1963. You must provide a full set of original vintage plates. The DMV cannot issue a registration for vehicle plates that are copies or that are painted again. Vintage plates issued in the model year of 1972 and earlier must display the embossed year or have the original metal tab for that year. Make sure that the tab is attached and legible. A sticker that indicates the model year is not required to use the vintage plates. Vintage plates issued in the model year of 1973 and later do not have metal tabs or plate stickers.
How do I get vintage plates?
You can buy vintage plates from a local source like an automobile collector, an antique dealer, or a flea market. Make sure that the vintage plates are authentic. Newer copies are not acceptable for a vintage registration.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,637
Likes: 27
From: Norwalk Ct
Theres a guy out in Long Island that advertises in Hemmings that has hundreds of vintage plates.........I got a set from him, he does a guarantee that if they are cancelled by DMV he will send you another set. All you have to do is take a picture of them, fill out the form and send them to DMV..........pretty easy really.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 6
From: 68 427 4.11s Roadster
I asked at the DMV while waiting.
I don't know how true this all is but I didn't like it.
Costs more.
You have to find the plates
Good for events only and something about limited driving but forgot that. The last I suppose don't matter unless you get a speeding ticket or something and they tack that on too as a ticket.
I don't know how true this all is but I didn't like it.
Costs more.
You have to find the plates
Good for events only and something about limited driving but forgot that. The last I suppose don't matter unless you get a speeding ticket or something and they tack that on too as a ticket.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,209
Likes: 87
From: Putnam county NY
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It can be done. I have a 72 coupe and a plate from 72. The other plate is around somewhere and once I find it, I'll probably do the same.
