Driving a ‘vintage’ has its advantages
Driving a historic car has advantages, among others, that even if they do not have a DGT environmental label, they can access the Low Emission Zones (ZBE) without restrictions, which, by law, have to come into force in 2023.
This is, perhaps, one of the reasons that has led the Directorate General of Traffic to modify and make the procedures more flexible for a vehicle to be considered historic.
How to make a historic car step by step… and what are the advantages of a historic license plate in 2022
The requirements to convert a car into historic
Historic vehicle status can only be applied for for those that are over 30 years old or of special interest or uniqueness.
“The figure of historical vehicle offers a protection that allows to safeguard the cultural and symbolic heritage of our time, at the same time that it allows the use of the vehicle with the appropriate technical and mechanical security”, explain those responsible for Traffic. They also review the necessary requirements to achieve this condition on Twitter:
Did you know that this year the update of the Historic Vehicle Regulations will come into force?🚗Thus, we eliminated some of the procedures and lowered costs to obtain the historic classification. Finally you will be able to take your vintage vehicle for a walk!🌟#DGTContigo #RevistaTySV pic.twitter.com/2liR8K4Q7A
— Dir. Gral. Tráfico (@DGTes) January 12, 2023
There are three necessary requirements for a car to be considered historic (note, it is not the same as a classic car):
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Age: A vehicle with at least 30 years from its first registration or manufacture and that is in original condition may be considered historic. It cannot have undergone changes in its characteristics or main components such as engine, brakes, steering, suspension or bodywork.
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Special interest: Vehicles that are registered in the General Inventory of Movable Assets of the Spanish Historical Heritage, declared assets of cultural interest or when the vehicle has participated in some historical event, belonged to a personality
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Collectible vehicle: When due to the uniqueness of the vehicle or its scarcity they deserve the consideration of historical
How to apply for historical status
The procedures vary depending on whether the car is in circulation or deregistered. In the first case, you must request registration as historical, for which it is necessary that it be inspected by an Official Accrediting Laboratory of your autonomous community. It is also necessary to pass a specific ITV and pay the corresponding fees.
If the car you want to register as historic is temporarily deregistered, you will have to start by managing the registration and then start the previous procedures.