Odisha: Owners of Classic Vehicles Can Now Apply for Special Number Plates

Cuttack: Good news for enthusiasts and collectors of vintage vehicles, owners of classic vehicles of more than 50 years can apply for special number plates and enjoy exemption from scrappage in Odisha.

With an aim to preserve and promote the heritage of vintage vehicles, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has made provision under CMV Rule, 1989 for the registration process of Vintage Motor Vehicles. Odisha being a state of heritage & culture is the first state to implement this provision so as to fulfil the ambition of the vehicle owner intends to keep the vehicle.

Dipti Ranjan Patra, Joint Commissioner Transport, Technical said, “MoRTH has taken initiatives to discourage the use of old vehicles by introducing a scrapping policy. At the same time to preserve and promote the heritage of old vehicles in India, Central Govt. has formalised the registration process for vintage motor vehicles. The new rules shall provide salient features such as retention of old already registered vehicles with a new Vintage registration mark “VA” series (Unique Registration Mark).”

As per the rule, two-wheelers and four-wheelers (personal use) that are more than 50 years old from the date of their first registration (including imported vehicles) shall be defined as Vintage Motor Vehicles. However, only vehicles that have no substantial overhaul including modification in chassis or body shell, and/or engine will be considered vintage.

Application for registration/re-registration shall be made as per Form 20 and shall be accompanied by an insurance policy, fee, bill of entry in case of imported vehicles, and old RC in case of an already registered vehicle in India. The old certificate of registration of a motor vehicle after being registered as a Vintage Motor Vehicle shall be marked as cancelled and the owner may retain such cancelled certificate of registration for historical purposes only.

The State Registering Authority shall issue a certificate of registration as per Form 23A after inspection of the vehicle and subject to the condition that the vehicle is fit & having valid PUC.

If the vehicle is approved, a fresh registration mark will be assigned to the eligible vehicles for Vintage vehicle as “XX VA YY****”, where VA stands for vintage, XX stands for State Code, YY will be a two-letter series and “****” is a number from 0001 to 9999 allotted by the State Registering Authority.

Under the new law, the issue of a new certificate will cost the owner Rs 20,000 and will be valid for a period of 10 years. Subsequently, the renewal of said registration will cost the owner an additional Rs 5,000 and shall be renewable for a period of 5 years.

Vintage motor vehicles shall not be driven on roads for regular/commercial purposes. A vintage motor vehicle is allowed to run on Indian roads only for display, technical research or taking part in a vintage car rally, refuelling and maintenance, exhibitions, vintage rallies, and to and fro to such exhibitions or car rallies.

The owner of a Vintage Motor Vehicle after the assignment of a Vintage number can also sell his vintage vehicle by applying for transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle and also can change his address by making an application in the manner as provided under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.