Histerical plates for the bus

Sam 4106 · December 12, 2009, 06:48:59 PM

Hi Craig,
I looked into getting a collector plate for our MC 8 recently after taking the 4 hour refresher defensive driving course. The course is taught by a retired highway patrolman so I asked him about it. He referred me to the DPS website and the appropriate law 168.10. I found that Minnesota law now excludes Motorhomes from using collector plates. Please look it up for yourself. Unfortunately the state wants us to pay the same license fee as a commercial truck of equal weight even though we only use our motorhome 4 or 5 times a year. I am going to look into licensing in Montana.
Thanks, Sam 4106/MC8

belfert · December 12, 2009, 08:24:40 PM

Quote from: Sam 4106 on December 12, 2009, 06:48:59 PM
Hi Craig,
I looked into getting a collector plate for our MC 8 recently after taking the 4 hour refresher defensive driving course. The course is taught by a retired highway patrolman so I asked him about it. He referred me to the DPS website and the appropriate law 168.10. I found that Minnesota law now excludes Motorhomes from using collector plates. Please look it up for yourself. Unfortunately the state wants us to pay the same license fee as a commercial truck of equal weight even though we only use our motorhome 4 or 5 times a year. I am going to look into licensing in Montana.

The MN Department of Public Safey website claims that collector plates do not apply to motorhomes. I looked at the actual statute and motorhomes are not excluded. Craig got his plate after arguing with the DPS that the actual statute doesn't exclude motorhomes. I suspect they would argue a motorhome is not owned and operated solely as a collector's item.

Here is the actual statute:

Subd. 1c.Collector's vehicle, collector plate.(a) The owner of any self-propelled motor vehicle, including any truck, (1) that is (i) at least 20 model years old, or (ii) at least ten model years old and with a body or engine style of which not more than 500 were manufactured in or imported into the United States in any model year, (2) that was manufactured after 1935, and (3) that is owned and operated solely as a collector's vehicle, shall list the vehicle for taxation and registration as provided in paragraph (b).

(b) The owner shall execute an affidavit stating (1) the name and address of the person from whom purchased and of the new owner, (2) the make of the motor vehicle, (3) the year and number of the model, (4) the manufacturer's identification number, (5) in the case of a vehicle described in paragraph (a), clause (1)(ii), that the vehicle has a body or engine style of which not more than 500 were manufactured or imported into the United States in any model year, and (6) that the vehicle is owned and operated solely as a collector's item and not for general transportation purposes.

(c) The owner shall provide a statement of the manufacturer or importer regarding the number of vehicles manufactured or imported during the model year.

(d) The owner shall also prove that the owner also has one or more vehicles with regular license plates.

(e) If the commissioner is satisfied that the affidavit is true and correct and the owner pays a $25 tax and the plate fee authorized under section 168.12, the commissioner shall list the vehicle for taxation and registration and shall issue a single number plate.

(f) The number plate issued shall bear the inscription "Collector," "Minnesota," and the registration number or other combination of characters authorized under section 168.12, subdivision 2a, but no date. The number plate is valid without renewal as long as the vehicle is in existence in Minnesota. The commissioner has the power to revoke the plate for failure to comply with this subdivision.

cody · December 12, 2009, 08:28:37 PM

Wow, amd I thought michigan had hoops to jump thru, minnisota has a whole new chapter on that.

belfert · December 12, 2009, 08:55:57 PM

Quote from: cody on December 12, 2009, 08:28:37 PM
Wow, amd I thought michigan had hoops to jump thru, minnisota has a whole new chapter on that.

You wouldn't think it that much work if you could pay $25 plus plate fee for lifetime registration instead of $270 a year. I would think the manufacturer statement would only apply if you are trying to get a collector plate based on less than 500 vehicles manufactured/imported a year.

I was thinking the requirement was 25 years, but it is only 20 years. I only have 5 years to go I guess. MCI may actually have imported less than 500 a year of the Dina so I should probably check that out.

I do know collector plates are abused by some. There are plenty of people with these plates on a 20 year old beater car that are about as collectible as a 'pet rock'.

Barn Owl · December 12, 2009, 09:31:46 PM

It probably helps that my bus looks older than dirt. I have been running them since I got mine without a problem. I talked my father in to doing it and his experience has been the same. Saves big $.

cody · December 12, 2009, 10:28:11 PM

As a reply to the pmmed question, yes we have another coach, it's a revcon and for that I would get a hersterical plate, it's libby's lol.

Damn Yankee · December 13, 2009, 05:01:32 AM

I've been using Michigan historical plates for years and have NEVER had a problem. I'm a member of FMCA, Great Lakes Converted Coaches and Converted Coach Owners and there is always a rally happenin' some where. So go for it and save some big bucks!!!

Tenor · December 13, 2009, 06:24:37 AM

Cody,
Skip the "Historical" plate that runs out in 10 years and look for an "Authentic" plate - i.e a plate from the year the bus was manufactured. That plate NEVER needs to be replaced and is also only $30 with the same restrictions. I've never had any problems with it on buses since 2006 down here in trollville. As long as you are on route to a "rally", you should be all set.

Glenn

gumpy · December 13, 2009, 07:41:46 AM

Quote from: Sam 4106 on December 12, 2009, 06:48:59 PM
Hi Craig,
I looked into getting a collector plate for our MC 8 recently after taking the 4 hour refresher defensive driving course. The course is taught by a retired highway patrolman so I asked him about it. He referred me to the DPS website and the appropriate law 168.10. I found that Minnesota law now excludes Motorhomes from using collector plates. Please look it up for yourself. Unfortunately the state wants us to pay the same license fee as a commercial truck of equal weight even though we only use our motorhome 4 or 5 times a year. I am going to look into licensing in Montana.
Thanks, Sam 4106/MC8

Sam,

I'm with Belfert on this one. I just looked, and motorhomes are not listed anywhere in the statute. They never have been.

Here's the statute (as quoted by Brian): https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=168.10

You probably saw this site: https://dutchelm.dps.state.mn.us/dvsinfo/mainframepublic.asp
This is just the Driver and Vehicle Services' information site, and is incorrect. It has always said that RVs do not qualify, but the statute says nothing of the sort.
Now, getting the state to agree to that will be another matter.

Again, this is just the idiots at the DVS trying to create law to force more money out of us. They're not following the law. Of course, you would have to hire an attorney to force the issue. I tried getting the State Attorney General to tell me the law, but they refused. They said they are not there for the people. They are there to represent the state, and they will not intervene or issue an interpretation unless asked by the DVS. And you know where that will go.

What we need to do is find a MN busnut who's an attorney and willing to press the matter in court. Or maybe if we knew any representatives who would be willing to do their jobs and take up the matter with DVS

Busted Knuckle · December 13, 2009, 08:55:53 AM

Quote from: gumpy
Or maybe if we knew any representatives who would be willing to do their jobs and take up the matter with DVS

Bahawaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

YOU FUNNY CRAIG!

Sam 4106 · December 13, 2009, 12:47:47 PM

Hi Brian & Craig,
If you type "minnesotadepartmentofpublicsafety" when that page comes up click on "Driver and Vehicle Services" then on the left side click on "Collector Plates. That should get you to "Collector Vehicle Registration". See the second paragraph titled "Display: Recreational vehicles do not qualify for collector class plates". Then scroll down to the picture of a collector plate with number 732-277 on it and it says "Collector plates may only be displayed on vehicles (except Recreational)...." I also saw another place that excludes Motorhomes from collector plates but I can't find it today. These provisions may not be specifically in the law and may only be rules but try to convince someone of that. I am going to look elsewhere for my license plates.
Thanks, Sam 4106/MC8

johns4104 · December 13, 2009, 02:03:04 PM

Cody,
Where do you get these plates, on comedy central or something?
maybe clownboy knows

pd4501-771 · December 13, 2009, 04:18:52 PM

I run about six different circa 1956 state plates on my Scenicruiser. Just like back in the good old days. Here in Illinois like many states they allow vintage plates from your home state displayed if vehicle is currently registered as antique. You must carrry your current antique plates with you. I just bend the rules slightly by running a few extras. I been everywhere man.......Never stopped yet!

Tom McNally

belfert · December 13, 2009, 05:15:33 PM

Quote from: Sam 4106 on December 13, 2009, 12:47:47 PM
Hi Brian & Craig,
If you type "minnesotadepartmentofpublicsafety" when that page comes up click on "Driver and Vehicle Services" then on the left side click on "Collector Plates. That should get you to "Collector Vehicle Registration". See the second paragraph titled "Display: Recreational vehicles do not qualify for collector class plates". Then scroll down to the picture of a collector plate with number 732-277 on it and it says "Collector plates may only be displayed on vehicles (except Recreational)...." I also saw another place that excludes Motorhomes from collector plates but I can't find it today. These provisions may not be specifically in the law and may only be rules but try to convince someone of that. I am going to look elsewhere for my license plates.

Personally, I would try to make the state follow their own statutes instead of registering elsewhere. The state can potentially view a vehicle registered out of state as tax evasion. Several states have gone after Montana LLCs.

Now, if you own a home in another state, you can probably get by with registering your vehicle out of state. The cost of setting up a Montana LLC in my mind wouldn't make it very cost effective, but in the long term I suppose it saves money.

gumpy · December 13, 2009, 05:33:28 PM

Quote from: Sam 4106 on December 13, 2009, 12:47:47 PM
Hi Brian & Craig,
If you type "minnesotadepartmentofpublicsafety" when that page comes up click on "Driver and Vehicle Services" then on the left side click on "Collector Plates. That should get you to "Collector Vehicle Registration". See the second paragraph titled "Display: Recreational vehicles do not qualify for collector class plates". Then scroll down to the picture of a collector plate with number 732-277 on it and it says "Collector plates may only be displayed on vehicles (except Recreational)...." I also saw another place that excludes Motorhomes from collector plates but I can't find it today. These provisions may not be specifically in the law and may only be rules but try to convince someone of that. I am going to look elsewhere for my license plates.
Thanks, Sam 4106/MC8

Sam,

Did you try calling any of the numbers at the DMV that I gave you in October at Moose Lake?

Now, when I did mine, I called the Attorney General and had them transfer me to DMV because DMV does not answer incoming calls from the public. Then I got to talk to a real
person. They told me RVs don't qualify, and I asked them to tell me what statute says they don't qualify, and if they can't produce a statute, then they don't have a choice but to
issue them. They eventually issued them.

I guarantee they will reject the application initially. That's when you have to call them in St. Paul and talk to them directly.

DMV cannot make law. They have to follow the state law, and 168.10 says recreation vehicles do qualify for Collector Plates (because they are not excluded in the law).