Apply for historical plates

How to apply

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.  1

Learn more about historical plates

 

Requirements

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

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV

 

Mail all of the above to:

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

 

Cost

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. 
  1. 1. 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.
  2. 2. If the vehicle is currently registered to you, provide a photocopy of the current registration. If the vehicle is not currently registered in your name, send the original transferable registration or title, signed over to you. If that is not possible, send a Statement of Ownership (MV-51B) with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) tracing or VIN verification signed by a police department.
  3. 3. Send a valid Insurance ID Card (FS-20, FS-21) 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". Cards without the word "HISTORICAL" will not be accepted. Contact your insurance company to get information about insurance for an historical vehicle.
  4. 4. To get a Sales Tax Receipt, you must bring your bill of sale and proof of ownership documents (title or transferable registration) to your county's DMV office, where you will complete a Sales Tax Clearance form (Statement of Transaction – Sale or Gift of Motor Vehicle, Trailer, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile {Sales Tax Form} (pdf) (at NY State Department of Tax and Finance) (DTF-802), 
    Claim for Sales and Use Tax Exemption – Title/Registration Motor Vehicle, Trailer, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile {Sales Tax Form} (pdf) (at NY State Department of Tax & Finance) (DTF-803)
    OR 
    Statement of Transaction – Claim for Credit of Sales Tax Paid to Another State For Motor Vehicle, Trailer, All‑Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Vessel (Boat), or Snowmobile {Sales Tax Form} (pdf) (at NY State Department of Tax & Finance) (DTF-804) 
    and receive a Sales Tax Receipt (FS-6T). If your vehicle is currently registered in your name, or if it was registered to you previously, proof of sales tax payment is not required.
  5. 5. Make a check or money order payable to the "Commissioner of Motor Vehicles". If paying by credit card, please fill in the appropriate information on the Historical License Plates form (MV-440H).

Do it by phone

You cannot apply for historical plates by phone

Do it by mail

You must apply for personalized historical plates by mail.

Mail required documents to: 

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

Do it at the DMV

You can apply for standard historical plates at any DMV office.  (You must apply by mail for personalized historical plates.)

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV

Download forms

For your convenience, many DMV PDF forms can be filled in online and then printed.