Customers who want to declare their vehicle Historical will first need to meet the following historical vehicle criteria:
FI 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 D.C. Official Code § 50-1501.01(j-l) shall have its registration suspended for a period of two (2) 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 (2) years from the date that its registration was suspended.
Historical vehicles with the F(I) designation will receive a two year inspection sticker and return to the Inspection Station every two years to have the vehicle mileage verified and updated in the system.
FII 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 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.
If the vehicle has a current Vehicle Inspection Sticker, the customer can declare the vehicle Historic without the vehicle having to be inspected. The customer will go the SW Inspection Station Office and request a copy of the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). The Vehicle Inspection Report will be stamped Historic FI or FII by one of the Resolution Coordinators, and issued to the customer. In addition, the customer will receive a HISTORIC FI or FII vehicle inspection sticker that will be affixed to the vehicle’s windshield. The customer may then proceed to a DMV Service Center and register the vehicle.
If the vehicle does not have a current pass Vehicle Inspection Sticker, the vehicle will have to be inspected. The customer should indicate to the inspector that he/she is at the inspections 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 (VIR). The customer will take the Vehicle Inspection Report to the SW Inspection Station Office and it will be stamped FI or FII by one of the Resolution Coordinators and issued to the customer. In addition, the customer will receive a HISTORIC FI or FII vehicle inspection sticker that will be affixed to the vehicle’s windshield. The customer may then proceed to a DMV Service Center and register the vehicle.
Historic Tags Process
- The customer will need to meet the required years criteria, once it’s been confirmed that they meet the criteria, they can declare their vehicle Historical.
- If the vehicle has a current Pass Sticker the customer can declare the vehicle Historical without having to be inspected, a copy of their pass Vehicle Inspection Report is needed
- Inspection Report (VIR) will be stamped historic and issued to them. Once the vehicle has been declared Historical they may choose the F (1) or F (2) option.
- They will then proceed to a DMV Service Center and register their vehicle. The vehicle will never require an inspection again; if categorized as FII
- F (I) historical vehicles receive a two year sticker and will return to the station every two years to have their mileage verified and updated in the system (Gordon Darby)
- F (II) historical vehicles receive a non-expiring sticker
Documents required for registration of historic vehicle
If a customer would like to register a vehicle as HISTORIC and obtain registration the following documents are required for the first time:
- Completed certificate of Title/Tag application, indicating Historic Tags
- Title vehicle only if the titling the vehicle in DC for the first time
- DC Driver License or DC Non Driver ID
- DC Vehicle insurance coverage
- DC Vehicle inspection report, stamped either FI or FII