Historical license plates can only be registered to a vehicle manufactured more than 25 years before the current calendar year that is used only as a collector’s item or exhibition piece, and not for daily transportation. Some vehicles that are less than 25 years old and have unique characteristics can qualify for a historical registration. We will determine if the vehicle has historical, classic, or exhibit value.

Learn more about historical plates

To register your vehicle with vintage plates, you must have actual plates that were valid in New York State in the year the vehicle was manufactured. If it was a metal tab year, you must have the metal tab.

The plates must be original.

If New York State issued only one plate in the year of manufacture, that plate must be mounted on the rear of the vehicle. If New York State originally issued two plates in that year, you must use both matching plates.

A motorcycle plate must be used on a motorcycle. Otherwise, any plates issued in the year the vehicle was manufactured may be used on any type of vehicle. 

Learn more about vintage plates

You must apply for personalized historical plates by mail (you may apply for standard historical plates by mail or at your county's DMV office), and are required to submit the following documents

• completed Historical License Plates form (MV-440H) or Vintage License Plates form (MV-440V)
• completed Application for Registration/Title (MV-82)
• photocopy of your driver license
• for vintage plates - color photograph of the plate(s)
• proof of ownership (if the vehicle is registered to you, provide a photocopy of the current registration. If the vehicle is not registered to you, send the original transferable registration or title, signed over to you, or a Statement of Ownership (MV-51B) with a VIN tracing or VIN verification signed by a police department)
• for historical plates, a valid Insurance ID Card issued and dated within 180 days of the date you register the vehicle. The ID card must include a scannable barcode and the computer-printed word "HISTORICAL"
• Sales Tax Receipt if the vehicle has never been registered in your name in New York State
• payment by check, money order, or credit card

Mail all of the above to:

NYS DMV
Custom Plates Unit
P.O. Box 2775
Albany, NY  12220

Passenger Vehicles:

• If you already have a valid New York State registration for the vehicle in your name, the fee is $28.75 for standard historical plates or $60 for personalized historical plates.
• If the vehicle is not currently registered in your name, the fee is $53.75 for standard historical plates or $113.75 for personalized historical plates.
  NOTE:  If you live in New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, or Westchester county, the fee is $78.75 for standard historical plates or $138.75 for personalized historical plates due to the addition of an annual $25 Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District supplemental registration fee.
• If the vehicle is a 1973 or newer model year and does not already have a New York State title issued in your name, there is an additional fee of $50.00 for the title.
• The standard yearly renewal fee for passenger vehicles is $28.75 for standard historical plates or $60.00 for personalized historical plates.

Motorcycles (motorcycle registrations have a fixed expiration date of April 30):

• If you already have a valid New York State registration for the motorcycle in your name, the fee is $23.75 for standard historical plates or $42.50 for personalized historical plates.
• If the motorcycle is not currently registered in your name, the fee is $37.50 for standard historical plates or $56.25 for personalized historical plates.  
  NOTE:  If you live in New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Rockland, Nassau, Suffolk, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, or Westchester county, the fee is $62.50 for standard historical plates or $81.25 for personalized historical plates due to the addition of an annual $25 Metropolitan Commuter Transportation District supplemental registration fee.
• If your motorcycle is a 1973 or newer model and does not have a New York State title issued in your name, there is an additional title fee of $50.00.
• The standard yearly renewal fee for motorcycles is $25.00 for standard historical plates or $43.75 for personalized historical plates. 

Passenger Vehicles:

• If you already have a valid New York State registration for the vehicle in your name, the fee is $3.75 for the new document.
• If the vehicle is not currently registered in your name, the fee is $28.75.
• If the vehicle is a 1973 or newer model year and does not already have a New York State title issued in your name, there is an additional fee of $50.00 for the title.
• The standard yearly renewal fee for passenger vehicles is $28.75.

Motorcycles:

• If you already have a valid New York State registration with historical plates, the fee is $3.75 for the new document.
• If you have a valid standard motorcycle registration, the fee is $11.25 ($3.75 document fee plus a prorated registration fee of $7.50).
• If the motorcycle is not currently registered in your name, the fee is $25.
• If your motorcycle is a 1973 or newer model and does not have a New York State title issued in your name, there is an additional title fee of $50.00.
• The standard yearly renewal fee for motorcycles are $25.00