We registered Annie today complete with vintage "black plates." We are now legal to cruise - within limitations.When I was researching the process to use black plates, I found very little support and everyone had a different understanding. The following is my process and opinions (disclaimer: I do not work for the state of Texas and this information should not be considered legal advice).
When you buy your car, get it titled. Many people buy cars based on a bill of sale and keep their car for years this way before it hits the pavement. I recommend that you title it as soon as you get it home. The title is your proof that you are the rightful owner of the car. If you decide to sell the car in the future, people would trust you more if you have a title as opposed to a bill of sale. If you buy a car on a bill of sale, each state has a process obtaining a title. You can contact me and I will offer more detail on how I obtained my title.
Once it is titled, get insurance. Contact the vendors such as Hagerty, Leland West, J.C. Taylor, etc and get an agreed value policy. You can read more about this type of insurance on the vendor's websites. This insurance is cheap and well worth it. Even if it is years before your car hits the street, you are continuing to invest money into your project. Don't leave it to your homeowner policy to protect you car in the event of a fire or theft.
Once you are ready to drive the car, you will need to have it registered. In Texas, we have a choice of Antique and Classic plates. In either case, the car must be 25 years old. Cars with Antique plates are limited to "use exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest. Vehicles displaying Antique plates may not be used for regular transportation or carry advertising; however, the vehicle may be driven to and from a location for routine maintenance." The definition of routine maintenance is up to you. The advantage is that the car is not subject to the state inspection. The registration sticker is small and nonintrusive and is good for 5 years ($50).
Cars with Classic plates are not subject to limitations on usage. You can drive them anywhere you would drive your daily driver as often as you wish. The downside is that your car is now subject to state inspections and the cost of registration is higher. Your insurance will also need to be adjusted for this level of driving activity.
With either an Antique or Classic classification, you can use a black plate. The plate must be the correct year and must be in good condition. You must also own both of the plates although only one needs to be installed on the car. The registration office will verify that the plate is not currently registered to another vehicle. The plate you use does not need to be an unused or previously unregistered plate. Just find a clean set of plates worthy of your car.
The process was easy and I much prefer the look of the black plate on my car rather than the state issued plate. It's a nice touch to the whole restoration process.
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