I have a '66 coupe and the title to same, but no title application form. I've purchased 1966 Texas plates for it.

When I go to register it, so I have to have it inspected before? Last inspection was in 1993 and I'm not ready to have it inspected yet, but I would like to register it now. Also, do I have to have the insurance in place before I can register it? I don't plan on driving it for at least 6 months, probably more like a year.

Anyone with experience, please chime it.

 

You don't have to have it inspected before you register it. and I don't think you have to have insurance on it before it is registered either (but, I'm not 100% sure...)

 

You have to have current insurance to register a car in texas.
You have two options that will allow you to use the 1966 plates.
1.classic car (you must have a current safety inspection. You will get a form from the inspection station when you get it done. The only things they are going to look at are the following:
a. all the external lights working(headlights, tail/brake lights, turn signals.
b. working horn
c. working brakes
d. tire tread
no smog test.
Good for one year. The rates are the same for normal registration in your area
2. antique car (no safety inspection required) Good for 5 years about 50.00 for the 5 years. (can not use the car for personal transportation only for parades shows and transportation to shows or for repairs.)


I have my car registered as an antique. I do not drive it everyday. I do drive it on the weekends its hard for an officer to tell what purpose you are driving the car for.

 

Dang, I want to go the classic route, so I guess I'll have to wait. I guess I could go ahead and insure it and get it inspected, but I'd be paying for insurance for no reason. I guess I could cancel the insurance after it is registered .......

 

I transferred the title to my '67 Coupe with no current inspection. Maybe this wasn't an issue because the car didn't come from another state?

Later, I found a set of '67 plates and registered them to my car. The inspection was still out of date at that time. However, insurance was in effect both times.

 

What did you have to do to change to the 67 plates? I may just register it normal, then change to use the 66 plates.

 

I bought the car in March. The previous had just registered the car in February, so all I had to do was a title transfer. In July, I went back with my '67 plates and my insurance card. They have to see the plates to (A) make sure they're in decent condition and (B) make sure that number/letter combination isn't currently in use. They also wanted the registration sticker off my windshield because it has the old plate number printed on it. They pro-rated the remaining time left on the old plates, then registered the '67 plates to run thru July '08. Because I still had 8 months left on the old plates, it only cost me $16 to register the '67 plates for a year.

 

The first time I brought in my 1965 plates, they said they were too rusty. According to the TX laws, they just have to be "easy to read". They don't have to be perfect. BUT, the laws are only as good as the people who enforce them, and I can assure you that most of the people working at the county tax office have no clue on how to deal with these classic plates. Anyway, I went home and repainted my plates and brought them back, and they approved them. BTW: if you repain CA plates, it's considered "forgery" and is a felony, so you guys in California better check your own laws before following what I did.

Just be patient when you go, because the person you speak with isn't likelyto have helped anyone withthe Year Of Manufacture plates before.

I highly recomend getting the old plates though. It makes the car look way cooler.
It was the exact same for me, except I didn't notice them checking to make sure my plate numbers weren't already in use. Maybe they did and I didn't notice, but I had to go two times (due to the rust on the plates), and I didn't notice them checking either time. You're right about them wanting the window sticker off your car, and needing a copy of your insurance. Come to think of it, I had go through the process 3x because I didn't actually drive my 65 there, so I had had to come backagainafter I peeled off thewindow sticker.[:@]

 

Just regestered our '65 today....the first time since.......................1982!! All we had was the old title and mileage disclaimer. As long as we had insurance on A vehicle (any vehicle) we didnt need it on this particular car. We had to pay sales tax (of course), a new title and tag fee. The whole bill came to less than $114.00. Later that day we got insurance and an inspection and it was on the road all nice and legal. It was more painful getting and paying for the insurance than the registeration and inspection!! Do a google on "Texas Vehicle Inspect" and ou can see what all they will check during the inspection process. You will need working head lights, a working headlight beam indicator, working turn signals (front , back left, right, and inside working lights), brake lights, brakes, horn, seal belts (lap belts onlyare acceptable), and emergency brake. Take all of about 15 minutes to get it inspected. Good luck and dont worry..be happy.