I own a 1993 Ford Mustang, but in good condition and low miles for it's age. That makes it 25 years old.
I just took it in for anual inspection, and it has failed the smog test, and the repair cost for it to pass inspection is $1600 dollars.
The State is Virginia, and if you look at the DMV website youll see the wording is contradictory in some places, but I have actually contacted the DMV and they have confirmed what my mechanic told me:
Cars OLDER than 25 years are exempt from the smog test, meaning 26 years old or older, but it still has to be tested AT 25 years old. Remember that despite the confusion on the website, two DMV supervisors and my mechanic confirmed this for me.
However, in Virginia, you can pay $50 and receive antique license plates for a vehicle that is AT LEAST 25 years old, meaning my car qualifies for antique plates THIS year but is not excempt from the smog test until NEXT year.
In Virginia, antique plates exempts the vehicle from anual inspection, but only allows the vehicle to be driven in parades, to and from car shows, and, here's the kicker, "For occasional pleasure driving not more than 250 miles from your home."
You must still maintain insurance, but this program does not allow you to drive it as your daily driver.
But what if I went and got antique plates, exempting me from the inspection, thus saving me from paying $1600 dollars?
Is there any way the "not your daily driver" rule can be enforced?
Added (1). Unless cops pull over every single vehicle they see with antique plates, grill the driver about where they are going a d then debate whether or not it counts as "occasional" or a "pleasure drive," then I fail to see how this rule can be enforced.
I don't drive more tha 250 miles away very often at all, so could I get away with doing this and using it as my daily driver?
Read more: Could I use this loophole to avoid paying the repair bills for my anual vehicle inspection?
