A car is considered a classic in California if it's at least 25 years old and is of historic interest. When a vehicle in California meets these requirements, the owner can register it as a historic vehicle, which will allow the car to use special license plates. These special license plates are permanent and won't need to be replaced.
Classic Car Qualifications in California
- 25+ years old
- Manufactured after 1922
- Of historic interest, meaning it's owned and used principally for exhibition and historic vehicle club activities
- Pass a smog check (classic cars that are model year 1975 or newer)
Keep in mind that even if your vehicle is registered as a classic car in California, it might not qualify for classic car insurance from certain companies. Each classic car insurer has its own eligibility requirements, so your car will need to meet those standards in order to qualify.
To learn more, check out WalletHub's guide to the best classic car insurance companies.
This answer was last updated on 06/19/24 and it was first published on 07/25/23. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
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