Owners of antique vehicles who meet eligibility criteria may request an antique licence plate.  The plate authorizes the limited use of the vehicle at reduced registration fee, and exempts the vehicle from safety inspection requirements. It does not, however, permit the operation of an unsafe vehicle.

A vehicle is considered an antique for the purpose of obtaining an antique licence plate if:

• the vehicle is 30 or more model years old; and
• is a passenger motor vehicle, light commercial motor vehicle that has a registered weight of 5000 kgs or less, or motorcycle.

The owner of an antique vehicle who wishes to obtain antique licence plates must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• the owner must be a resident of Nova Scotia;
• the owner must have another registered motor vehicle in his/her name;
• the owner must provide proof of insurance, and must maintain valid insurance at all times;
• the vehicle cannot be used for business or usual family purposes;
• the owner is a member of an antique club, and the secretary of the club has signed the application form indicating that the vehicle has been tested for originality, running order and safety.

Note: If the owner is not a member of an antique auto club, a Certificate of Mechanical Fitness form must be completed by a certified mechanic in lieu of an antique auto club membership.

Antique Plates for Passenger or Light Commercial Vehicles:

Application (Application for Ownership, Permits and Plates - Form 2 and Certificate of Mechanical Fitness Form, if applicable) for antique licence plates for a passenger or light commercial vehicle may be made in person at a Registry of Motor Vehicles / Access Nova Scotia location or by mail (Processing and Distribution Centre PO Box 1652, Halifax, NS, B3J 2Z3).

Click here for the registration fee for Antique Plates.

Antique Plates for Motorcycles:

Antique motorcycle application forms may only be submitted by mail, fax or dropped off at a Registry of Motor Vehicles / Access Nova Scotia location and forwarded to the processing centre.

The only method of payment accepted for the issuance of antique motorcycle plates is cheque, certified cheque, money order, Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Mail to: Processing and Distribution Centre, PO Box 1652, Halifax, NS, B3J 2Z3

Fax to: 902-428-2180. Please note - if faxing the application, the method of payment must be credit card.

Click here for the registration fee for Antique Plates.

Additional Information:

Insurance information is required each time a vehicle registration (plate) is issued or renewed. A Statement of Insurance form must be completed for in-person and mail requests. For online renewal requests, you will be asked to provide this information electronically.

Vehicle Registration and Plates Information Index