To register your vehicle as a Historical vehicle, the following criteria must be met:
F(I) Category
F(I) Historic motor vehicle means any motor vehicle whose manufacturer's model year is at least 25 years old or any motor vehicle which is at least 15 years old and is a make of motor vehicle no longer manufactured; not exceeding a total mileage of 1,000 miles annually.
A vehicle registered as a class F(I) historic motor vehicle that exceeds the maximum mileage limits set forth in DC Official Code § 50-1501.01(j-l) shall have its registration suspended for a period of two years or until such time as the owner registers the vehicle as a different class of vehicle, whichever is shorter. Such a vehicle shall not be registered as a class F(I) historic motor vehicle or class F(II) historic motor vehicle for a period of at least two years from the date that its registration was suspended.
Historical vehicles with the F(I) designation will receive a two year inspection sticker and must return to the inspection station every two years to have the vehicle mileage verified and updated in the system.
F(II) Category
F(II) Historic motor vehicle "means any motor vehicle whose manufacturer's model year is at least 25 years old or any motor which is at least 15 years old and is a make of motor vehicle no longer manufactured, and is used on the public highways for the transportation of passengers or property in conjunction with exhibitions, expositions, parades, tours, club activities or similar activities or events, including transportation directly to or from such activities or events, but in no event used for general transportation."
Historical vehicles with the F(II) designation will receive a non-expiring inspection sticker. This vehicle will not be required to visit the inspection station every two years.
Requirements for Historic Motor Vehicles
No Historic motor vehicle shall be required to comply with any equipment, material or design standard which it was not legally required to achieve when it was manufactured.
No Historic motor vehicle shall be required to comply with any performance standard with which it was not legally required to achieve or comply when it was manufactured. Performance standards shall include, but not be limited to, standards or requirements for exhaust and noise emissions and for fuel usage.
Historic Vehicle Inspection Process
Valid Inspection Sticker
If the vehicle has a current vehicle inspection sticker, then the customer can declare the vehicle Historic without the vehicle having to be inspected. The customer will need to go to the inspection station to request a copy of the Vehicle Inspection Report. The Vehicle Inspection Report will then be stamped Historic F(I) or Historic F(II) by one of the resolution coordinators. In addition, the customer will receive a Historic F(I) or Historic F(II) vehicle inspection sticker that will be affixed to the vehicle’s windshield. The customer may then proceed to a DMV service center to register the vehicle.
Expired Inspection Sticker
If the vehicle does not have a valid vehicle inspection sticker, then the vehicle must be inspected. The customer should indicate to the inspector that they are at the inspection station for a Historic Vehicle Inspection. The inspector will inquire if the Historic Vehicle Inspection is FI or FII. After the vehicle has successfully passed inspection, the customer will be issued a Vehicle Inspection Report. The Vehicle Inspection Report will then be stamped Historic F(I) or Historic F(II) by one of the resolution coordinators. In addition, the customer will receive a Historic F(I) or Historic F(II) vehicle inspection sticker that will be affixed to the vehicle’s windshield. The customer may then proceed to a DMV service center to register the vehicle.
Documents Required for Registration of Historic Vehicle
To register your vehicle as Historic, the following documents are required:
- Completed Certificate of Title/Tag application
- Vehicle title only if you're titling the vehicle in DC for the first time
- DC credential
- DC vehicle insurance
- DC vehicle inspection report, stamped either Historic F(I) or Historic F(II)