HB 704 was passed into law May 24, 1985 and amended G.S. 20-63(d). This bill allows owners of motor vehicles, 35 years or older, to display an 'antique' license plate which displays the year of manufacture. A current plate must be purchased and kept inside the vehicle.

If you display the 'antique tags', it is highly recommended that you keep a copy of this bill inside your vehicle along with your current tag. This is a little known law and some local law enforcement agencies are not familiar with it.

HB 704
Chapter 257

An act to permit drivers of Antique cars not to display the current registration plate under certain circumstances.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1. G. S. 20-63 (d) is amended by adding a new sentence at the end to read:

"Any motor vehicle of the age of 35 years or more from the date of manufacture may bear the license plates of the year of manufacture instead of the current registration plates, if the current registration plates are maintained within the vehicle and produced upon the request of any person."

Section 2. This act is effective upon ratification.