Horseless carriage license plates

Horseless carriage plates

Vehicle requirements

To use horseless carriage plates, vehicles must be:

  • more than 40 years old.
  • owned and operated as collector vehicles.
  • capable of operating on the highway.

Vehicles with horseless carriage plates may be driven:

  • to and from auto shows, circuses, parades, displays, special excursions, and antique car club meetings.
  • for testing purposes.
  • for the pleasure of others without compensation.

Vehicles with horseless carriage plates may not be used for:

  • commercial purposes or to carry a load.
  • regular transportation in the manner of a fully licensed vehicle.

License plate requirements

Antique or collector license plates, which include horseless carriage, collector vehicle, or restored license plates:

  • may be assigned to currently registered passenger vehicle, motorcycles, or trucks.
  • are good for the life of vehicle.
  • are not required to display month/year tab.
  • are not renewed annually.
  • must be displayed on the rear of the vehicle. If you provide a set of plates, you may display one on the front and the other on the back of the vehicle.
  • may be applied for through any licensing office. You must provide restored plates.

Option to use restored license plates

You may use a restored license plate on your antique vehicle instead of a horseless carriage license plate or standard license plate. A restored license plate is a Washington-issued license plate that was designed for use in the year of the vehicle’s manufacture. The license plate must be restored to a condition that allows it to be identified with its year of issue. A reproduction of the original cannot be used as a restored license plate.

How to apply for horseless carriage plates

  1. Complete a Adobe PDF iconSpecial License Plate Application.
  2. Contact your local licensing office to determine the exact cost of your license plates, including all licensing fees
  3. If you want to use restored license plates, provide your restored license plate (or plates) for the vehicle.
  4. Take the completed application and plates, plus all appropriate fees to a vehicle licensing office.
  5. OR
  6. Mail them to:
    Vehicle Licensing
    Department of Licensing
    PO Box 9909
    Olympia, WA 98507-8500

How to renew

You are not required to renew your horseless carriage license plates.

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