Quick answer: In Pennsylvania, a car qualifies for classic registration at 15 years old and antique registration at more than 25 years old, as long as it's an original (not a reproduction) kept in or restored to factory condition. The plates are permanent, with a one-time $102 registration fee instead of yearly renewals, but the car can't be used for daily driving. The Imperial Agency, an Authorized PennDOT On-Line Agent in Bala Cynwyd and Northeast Philadelphia since 1987, provides all the forms, can take your vehicle photos, and offers classic car insurance from Hagerty and Safeco. We speak English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole.

Does My Car Qualify?

• Classic: at least 15 years old, maintained in or restored to original manufacturer condition and appearance.
• Antique: more than 25 years old, maintained in or restored to original manufacturer condition.
• Collectible: a reconstructed vehicle substantially modified from factory specs (usually engine and exhaust), kept in show condition and used mainly for shows. Collectibles follow a separate process (Form MV-426B); ask us for details.
• Reproductions don't qualify.

How You Can (and Can't) Drive It

These plates are not for everyday use. You can drive the car to club events, shows, tours, parades, and for occasional use, which PennDOT defines as no more than one day a week. The car can't be used to transport people or property.

What You'll Need

• Your title (see the situations below). Financed car with an electronic title held by your lender? You can still apply; no paper title is needed.
• PennDOT forms MV-11, MV-1, or MV-4ST, as needed. We provide all forms at our office and complete them with you.
• Five color photos: front, rear, both sides, and the VIN. Photos must be straight on (not at an angle), in daylight, with windows rolled up and the convertible top up. Don't have photos? We can take them and print them in color at our office.
• Your driver's license and a copy of your current insurance.
• If the car has a salvage title, Form MV-426B is also required.

Your Situation

1. You already own the car and it's titled in PA

Bring your PA title. We'll complete Form MV-11 with you, attach the photos, and submit it to PennDOT to change your title to classic or antique and issue your plate.

2. You're buying a car that's titled in PA

The seller must sign the title in front of a notary. The seller can come to our office and one of our notaries will notarize it. We'll then complete Form MV-4ST and Form MV-11 together to transfer the car to you as a classic or antique.

3. You're bringing a car from out of state (one you own, or one you just bought)

You have two choices:

Option A: Drive it right away (costs more). First we do a regular title transfer and PA plate, so you can drive the car immediately. When your new PA title arrives, come back and we'll submit it with Form MV-11, the photos, and the state fees. PennDOT then changes the title to classic or antique and issues your plate. You pay title fees twice, but you're never without a plate.

Option B: Wait and save. We submit Form MV-1 and Form MV-11 together with the photos, insurance, license, and state fees, and PennDOT issues the classic or antique plate directly. This costs less, but it can take several weeks or longer, and you can't drive the car until the plate arrives. We'll give you a copy of the MV-1 as proof of ownership in the meantime.

This same choice applies to any vehicle coming into Pennsylvania, whether or not it's being registered as a classic or antique.

Personalized and Vintage Plates

• Personalized: antique plates allow up to 4 letters or numbers; classic plates allow up to 5, with a "C" printed in front. Personalized plates take about 8 to 10 weeks.
• Vintage: you can display an original Pennsylvania plate from 1906 to 1976 that matches your car's model year on an antique or classic vehicle. PennDOT doesn't make these; you supply the plate. You'll need Form MV-11V and a straight-on daylight photo of the front of the plate. Plate numbers can't duplicate one already in use, so we'll check availability first.

What It Costs

• Antique, classic, or collectible registration: $102 one-time (no yearly renewals, unlike the $48 a regular car pays every year), plus the $72 PennDOT title fee
• With a personalized plate: $238, plus the $72 title fee
• $5 county fee where it applies. Vintage plates have an added application fee. See PennDOT's official fee schedule for the full list.
• Sales tax applies if you're buying the car.
• Our service fees are separate from state fees and depend on what you need, such as notary service, photos, and color printing.
• We accept cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Apple Pay. Cash is least expensive, since card fees may apply.

Inspection

• Classic: annual safety inspection required. No emissions test.
• Antique: no annual safety inspection and no emissions test. The car must keep its original lighting equipment. If you drive only between sunrise and sunset, the normal lighting rules don't apply; if you drive after dark, the lights must work properly.

Don't Forget Insurance

A standard auto policy may not fit a collector car. Classic car policies are often based on an agreed value of your car and cost less because of limited use. The Imperial Agency offers classic car insurance from Hagerty and Safeco, two of the best-known names in collector car coverage, so we can get a classic car insurance quote for you while we handle your plates.

Common Questions

Do antique and classic plates expire?

No. They're permanent for as long as you own the car.

What happens to the plate if I sell the car?

The plate stays with you, the seller, and can go on another qualifying vehicle (with title and registration fees). Between spouses, or between a parent and child, the plate can transfer with the car for a title fee and a transfer fee. If you want any other buyer to keep the plate, write a letter releasing it; the buyer submits the letter with their paperwork and pays the full registration fee.

My classic just turned 26. Can I switch to antique?

Yes. We'll complete a new MV-11 with you, and you'll pay the $72 title fee and the antique registration fee.

Visit Us

We speak English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole.

The Imperial Agency has been an authorized PennDOT agent since 1987 and is also a licensed insurance agency, so we can register and insure your classic in one place.

Bala Cynwyd: 193 W. City Avenue, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004 (54th and City Ave) - (610) 617-8850

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 9:00-5:00 | Thu 9:00-6:00 | Sat 10:00-3:00

Philadelphia (Mayfair): 6444 Sackett St, Mayfair Shopping Center, Philadelphia, PA 19149 - (215) 624-5220

Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8:30-5:00 | Thu 8:30-6:00 | Sat 8:30-4:15

Serving Philadelphia, Lower Merion, Narberth, Wynnefield, Overbrook, Manayunk, Roxborough, and Montgomery and Delaware Counties. PennDOT fees are listed as of October 2026 and may change. Call us to confirm what to bring for your situation.