§17A-10-3a. Special registration of antique motor vehicles and motorcycles; definition, registration, and use of classic motor vehicles and classic motorcycles; customized antique plates.

(a) The annual registration fee for any antique motor vehicle or motorcycle as defined in this section is $2. As used in this section:

"Antique motor vehicle" means any motor vehicle, regardless of weight, which is more than 25 years old and is owned solely as a collector's item.

“Antique military vehicle” means an antique motor vehicle, regardless of the vehicle's size or weight, that was manufactured for use in any country's military forces, and that is maintained to represent its military design and markings accurately, including a trailer meeting the same requirements, but not including a vehicle or trailer currently in service.

"Antique motorcycle" means any motorcycle which is more than 25 years old and is owned solely as a collector's item.

"Classic motor vehicle" means a motor vehicle which is more than 25 years old and is registered pursuant to §17A-10-3 of this code and is used for general transportation.

"Classic motorcycle" means a motorcycle which is more than 25 years old and is registered pursuant to §17A-10-3 of this code and is used for general transportation.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this section, antique motor vehicles or motorcycles may not be used for general transportation but may only be used for:

(1) Participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, and similar events;

(2) The purpose of testing their operation, obtaining repairs or maintenance, and transportation to and from events as described in subdivision (1) of this subsection; and

(3) Recreational purposes: Provided, That a classic motor vehicle or a classic motorcycle as defined in this section may be registered under the applicable class at the applicable registration fee set forth in §17A-10-3 of this code and may be used for general transportation.

(c) A West Virginia motor vehicle or motorcycle displaying license plates of the same year of issue as the model year of the antique motor vehicle or motorcycle, as authorized in this section, may be used for general transportation purposes if the following conditions are met:

(1) The license plate's physical condition has been inspected and approved by the Division of Motor Vehicles;

(2) The license plate is registered to the specific motor vehicle or motorcycle by the Division of Motor Vehicles;

(3) The owner of the motor vehicle or motorcycle annually registers the motor vehicle or motorcycle and pays an annual registration fee for the motor vehicle or motorcycle equal to that charged to obtain regular state license plates;

(4) The motor vehicle or motorcycle passes a periodic safety inspection; and

(5) The motor vehicle or motorcycle displays a sticker attached to the license plate, issued by the division, indicating that the motor vehicle or motorcycle may be used for general transportation.

(d) If more than one request is made for license plates having the same number, the division shall accept only the first application.

(e) The commissioner may propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of §29A-3-1 et seq. of this code as may be necessary or convenient for the carrying out of the provisions of this section.

(f) Upon appropriate application, together with a special annual fee of $40, which is in addition to all other fees required by this chapter, there shall be issued to the owner of an antique motor vehicle a special registration plate for an antique motor vehicle titled in the name of the qualified applicant, bearing a combination of letters or numbers requested by that applicant, subject to the approval by the commissioner, and with the maximum number of letters or numbers to be determined by the commissioner.

(g) Upon proper application pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, the commissioner shall approve an alternative registration insignia for an antique military vehicle that is compatible with the vehicle's original markings, including, but not limited to, the display of the vehicle's unique military identification number not to exceed eight characters on the bumper of the vehicle: Provided, That nothing in this section exempts the operator of an antique military vehicle from the requirements set forth in §17A-3-13 of this code. Pursuant to this subsection, an antique military vehicle is exempt from the requirement to display a registration plate if the exemption is necessary to maintain the vehicle's accurate military marking.

(h) The commissioner is hereby authorized to develop an antique fleet plate program to enable an owner of five or more antique motor vehicles to use a single registration plate on multiple antique motor vehicles. The owner is required to register with the Division of Motor Vehicles every antique motor vehicle upon which the plate will be displayed. The annual registration fee for an antique fleet plate is $2 a year per registered antique motor vehicle. The antique fleet plate is valid for one year and must be renewed annually. The antique fleet plate may be used on a newly acquired antique motor vehicle prior to titling: Provided, That the owner completes an application for a 30-day temporary digital registration card in the format established by the commissioner and displays such card upon request when operating the vehicle prior to titling and regular registration. The fee for a 30-day temporary digital registration card is $10, and the commissioner is authorized to charge a convenience fee for electronic submission of the application.