Applying for a custom or antique vehicle registration in New Hampshire is mandated when car owners want to register and legally operate their antique or custom motor vehicles. The application procedure for registering a custom car or an antique vehicle must be completed through the New Hampshire Division of Motor Vehicles.

Vehicle owners who are wondering how to register an antique car or a custom vehicle are required to satisfy the applicable criteria, prepare the needed paperwork and submit them to the NH DMV. Additionally, drivers will also be expected to pay the corresponding registration fees and the cost of the custom or antique license plates in NH. For more details on registering a custom car or an antique vehicle, continue reading the following sections.

Definition of a Custom or Antique Vehicle in New Hampshire

Prior to applying for custom or antique vehicle registration in New Hampshire, drivers are recommended to familiarize themselves with the difference between these types of vehicles. A registration for custom cars is needed for vehicles that are better known as street rods.

These vehicles are manufactured prior to 1949 and modified for safety purposes, yet the body and frame of the vehicle may be kept to resemble the year of production. An antique car registration is needed for antique motor vehicles that are more than 25 years old and are maintained for participating in exhibitions, parades and club activities.

Steps in the New Hampshire Custom or Antique Registration Process

Obtaining a New Hampshire custom vehicle registration is a procedure that vehicle owners need to complete at the state Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Motorists who want to register custom cars or antique vehicles need to satisfy certain requirements and submit the necessary paperwork when visiting a local DMV branch.

The custom or antique car registration process is somewhat similar to that of a regular car registration, with the sole difference when applying for specific DMV license plates for the type of vehicle you own. Therefore, drivers who are registering custom cars may be required to complete the following steps:

  • Provide proof of residency.
  • Provide a car title, if needed.
  • Submit a lease agreement, if the vehicle is leased.
  • Submit the lienholder’s name and address, if there is a lien-holder.
  • Have your vehicle inspected (antique vehicles are inspected biennially).
  • Provide payment for the applicable fees.

Fees to Register a Custom or Antique Vehicle in New Hampshire

The final step in the custom or antique vehicle registration process is to provide payment for the applicable registration and license plates fees. Drivers need to note that the fees for custom or antique license plates and registration may differ based on the vehicle type.

In addition, when registering custom cars in New Hampshire, vehicle owners are required to pay fees both to the city where they live and to the state. For instance, the fee for antique car registration is $6, but the antique DMV license plates may cost an additional $8 for the first time.

Therefore, vehicle owners are encouraged to contact their local DMV office and find out the exact cost for the registration procedure and the license plates.

Note: Drivers who are renewing their antique or custom vehicle registrations are also required to renew car registrations for their standard passenger vehicles.

Last updated on Monday, March 9 2020.