Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 11, August 30, 2024
(1) For the purposes of this rule, the term
"Vintage Vehicle license plate" includes permanent Alabama license plate
registrations authorized under §§
40-12-290 through
40-12-297,
Code of Ala. 1975.
(2) For purposes of this rule, the term
"Vintage Vehicle" is as defined in §
40-12-290,
Code of Ala. 1975.
(3)
Vintage Vehicle
Requirements. A Vintage Vehicle must have "the original or
substantially similar vehicle body, chassis, engine, and transmission as
designated for that make, model, year, and age vehicle."
(a) The motor vehicle must not have been
shortened, lengthened, raised, or lowered from its original size.
(b) Different model motor vehicle mechanical
parts and accessories cannot be used on the motor vehicle.
For example, a 1928 "Model A" Ford does not have a
high-performance engine, mag tires, and advanced stereo equipment.
(c) "Replica" or "kit cars," which
are generally fiberglass reproductions, do not qualify for Vintage Vehicle
license plates.
(4)
Qualification Date. January 1st will be considered as
the beginning of a new model year for motor vehicles registered as Vintage
Vehicles. For example, on January 1, 2021, a 1991 or earlier year model motor
vehicle will qualify for a Vintage Vehicle license plate; on January 1, 2022, a
1992 or earlier year model qualifies.
(5)
Obtaining a Vintage Vehicle
License Plate. To obtain the Vintage Vehicle license plate
applicants must submit the following to the licensing official:
(a) Form #MVR
40-12-290"Application For Vintage Vehicle License Plates."
(b) Ownership documents.
(c) Payment of necessary fees and
taxes.
(6)
Exemption from Ad Valorem Tax. Section
40-12-293,
Code of Ala. 1975, provides that motor vehicles
registered with Vintage Vehicle license plates are exempt from ad valorem
taxation.
(7)
Motor
Vehicles Displaying Vintage Vehicle or Original Alabama License Plates may
be:
(a) Operated on the streets
or highways for the purpose of moving the motor vehicle to a location for
maintenance or repair.
(b) Operated
in the following events or activities and can be driven to these locations for
the purposes of attending these events or activities:
1. Club Activities. The sponsored activities
of Vintage Vehicle owner organizations.
2. Exhibitions. Public displays of Vintage
Vehicles and include antique car shows within or outside this state.
3. Tours. An organized trip comprised of
several Vintage Vehicles to predetermined locations.
4. Parades. A public procession on a festive
or ceremonial occasion.
(8)
Motor Vehicles Displaying
Vintage Vehicle or Original Alabama License Plates may NOT be:
(a) Used for "general transportation" to
include but not limited to driving to school, work, or shopping.
(b) Used in any type of commercial
enterprise.
(c) Used on a bus (with
or without passenger seats), even if privately owned and operated.
(d) Used on trailers, ambulances, taxis, or
any other motor vehicle type not specifically identified in this
rule.
(9)
Replacement, Transference, or Surrender of Vintage Vehicle or
Original Alabama License Plates.
(a) In the event a motor vehicle displaying a
Vintage Vehicle license plate is sold or otherwise disposed of the Vintage
Vehicle license plate must be either transferred to the new owner or returned
to the licensing official. If the new owner will not be using the vehicle in
accordance with the Vintage Vehicle provisions, the new owner must surrender
the Vintage Vehicle license plate to the licensing official, obtain a license
plate of the proper classification, and pay the applicable taxes and
fees.
(b) In the event the Vintage
Vehicle license plate becomes faded, mutilated, difficult to read, lost, or
stolen, the owner must apply for a replacement Vintage Vehicle license plate,
pay the Vintage Vehicle license plate fee provided under §
40-12-290,
Code of Ala. 1975, and surrender the Vintage Vehicle
license plate to the licensing official. Lost or stolen license plates should
be reported to law enforcement. In the event an original license plate becomes
illegible the registrant must either promptly restore the license plate to a
legible status, or surrender the Vintage Vehicle plate decal for the original
license plate to the licensing official.
(c) In the event the Vintage Vehicle is no
longer used in accordance with Vintage Vehicle license plate provisions, the
owner may, prior to such use, obtain the license plate of the proper
classification and surrender the Vintage Vehicle license plate or the Vintage
Vehicle plate decal for the original Alabama license plate to the licensing
official. No credit will be provided for fees paid for the Vintage Vehicle
license plate or the Vintage Vehicle plate decal for the original Alabama
license plate and ad valorem taxes will begin accruing upon issuance of the new
license plate.
(10)
Original Alabama License Plates.
(a) A Vintage vehicle owner may request that
the original Alabama license plate and Vintage Vehicle plate decal be
registered in lieu of a Vintage Vehicle license plate only for motor vehicles
designated 1976-year model or earlier.
(b) The department will provide licensing
officials with vintage plate decals to be affixed to the original license
plate. The decals will contain a number, that must be entered into the
registration record.
(c) Although
Alabama has at various times issued front and rear license plates to motor
vehicles, Vintage vehicle license plates shall be displayed on the rear of the
vehicle only.
(d) An original
Alabama license plate must be legible, particularly the license plate number.
If the license plate is rusted, colors are faded, paint missing, parts of the
plate are missing, holes in the plate, etc., to the degree that law enforcement
would have difficulty reading, the licensing official shall refuse to allow the
requested license plate to be issued until the plate is restored or
refurbished. A reproduction or facsimile of an original Alabama license plates
is not permitted.
(e) The licensing
official may check the Department's website to view images of original Alabama
license plates from 1912 through 1976.
(11)
Original Alabama License
Plate Restrictions.
(a) Original
Alabama license plates must be of the same category that is appropriate to as
the type of motor vehicle being registered (examples: an automobile plate shall
not be issued to a truck or bus; an automobile plate shall not be issued to a
motorcycle).
(b) Original Alabama
license plate numbers shall not exceed seven (7) alphanumeric characters or
display all zeros (0000000).
(c)
Beginning with license plates issued in 1942, Alabama license plate numbering
schemes may have been reused. Licensing officials should verify that duplicate
license plate numbers are not issued.
(d) As Alabama did not issue metal license
plates in 1943, a vehicle designated as a 1943-year model may not be registered
with original license plates.
(12)
Forfeiture of License
Plate. In the event law enforcement officials find a Vintage
Vehicle license plate being used in an unauthorized manner the motor vehicle
operator may be subject to the sanctions authorized by §
40-12-290,
Code of Ala. 1975, and forfeits the Vintage license
plate or decal on the original Alabama license plate.
Author: James Starling, Sherry Helms
Statutory Authority:
Code of Ala.
1975, §§
40-2A-7(a)(5),
40-12-290 through
40-12-297.
