Register a custom or homemade trailer or vehicle
Homemade, custom, or unique motor vehicles and motorcycles need to be evaluated by the
DMV to ensure their safe use on highways. These kinds of vehicles include
• homemade automobiles, trucks, or motorcycles
• automobiles, trucks, or motorcycles built from kits (kit car)
• dune buggies
• amphibious vehicles
• other vehicles with special construction, equipment, or characteristics
Learn about historical and vintage plates
What are historical plates and what vehicles are eligible?
Historical license plates are new plates issued by the DMV to a vehicle that was 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. The manufacture date will be based on the
model year of the vehicle.
Standard historical license plates begin or end with the letters “HX” (for cars and trucks), or
“HM” (for motorcycles). However, both types of plates can be personalized for an additional
fee.
All standard and personalized historical plates have the word “HISTORICAL” printed at the
bottom of the plate.
Historical plates are optional, and their registrations are valid for one year.
What are vintage plates and what vehicles are eligible?
Vintage plates are the actual plates issued to the vehicle owner, or other original plates (not
reproductions) issued by New York State, in the year the vehicle was manufactured.
Any motor 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, may be
registered with vintage plates from the model year of the vehicle.
Vintage plates are optional, and their registrations are valid for one year.
Where can I purchase 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 original.
Before you purchase a vintage plate, contact the Custom Plates Unit at 1-518-402-4838 to
verify that the number on the plate is available for your vintage plate registration.
Can the DMV reissue vintage plates to another registrant?
If a historical registration expires, we can reissue the vintage plates or transfer them as original
vintage plates.
If I remove a vehicle from the road, can I keep my historical or vintage plates?
Yes. You can store historical plates at most DMV offices.
You will receive a receipt (form FS-6T) when you surrender your plates. Verify the information
listed on the receipt, make sure that the receipt displays the words "Stored at Local Office,” and
keep this receipt. We will indicate on the registration record that the vehicle plates have been
stored.
DMV offices do not store vintage plates.
To register the vehicle again, or to use your stored historical plates to register another vehicle,
you must visit the office that has your vehicle plates. Make sure that you bring the receipt
(form FS-6T) and the other documents required to register your vehicle.
• 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.
• You can order personalized letter/number combinations of up to eight characters
(includes spaces and/or a silhouette of New York State) or 6 characters/spaces (no state
silhouette available) for a motorcycle.
Personalized plate requests for vehicles NOT currently registered will first be issued
standard historical plates while your personalized plates are being manufactured and
mailed.
• Special insurance is required for a historical registration. The insurance identification
card that is issued to you must display the word "HISTORICAL" to indicate the type of
insurance coverage that is provided. "Antique" and "classic" are not acceptable words.
Contact your insurance company for more information on historical registration
insurance requirements.
• For example, you can use a set of authentic vehicle plates that the DMV issued in 1963
on a vehicle of model year 1963.
• Special insurance is required for a historical registration. The insurance identification
card that is issued to you must display the word "HISTORICAL" to indicate the type of
insurance coverage that is provided. "Antique" and "classic" are not acceptable words.
Contact your insurance company for more information on historical registration
insurance requirements.
• The policy to store vehicle plates is different in each office. Ask your local DMV office
about the storage policy in that office.