Maryland Driver Disputes Historic Plates Change

Retired man says he's out $80 after state reverts to 25-year-old vehicle requirement.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:35pm

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Sweeping, abstract streaks of vibrant color and chaotic motion convey the speed and modern engineering of a 2002 Chevrolet S-10 truck, conceptually representing the debate over historic vehicle definitions.A retired driver's fight to keep his older truck on the road reveals the complexities of historic vehicle classification policies.Damascus Today

A retired Maryland resident named Steve Payne is upset after the state changed its historic vehicle registration rules, forcing him to switch the plates on his 2002 Chevrolet S-10 truck from historic to regular. Payne says he had to pay $80 in fees for the plate change, which he believes is unfair since the decision was made by the state.

Why it matters

The change in historic vehicle registration rules in Maryland highlights the ongoing debate over what should qualify as a 'historic' car, as well as the financial impact these policy shifts can have on individual drivers.

The details

A couple years ago, Maryland lowered the age requirement for historic vehicle registration from 25 years to 20 years, allowing Payne's 2002 truck to qualify. But last year, the state reverted back to the 25-year rule, forcing Payne and others to switch their plates and pay $40 per vehicle in fees.

  • A couple years ago, Maryland lowered the historic vehicle age requirement from 25 to 20 years.
  • Last year, Maryland changed the historic vehicle age requirement back to 25 years.

The players

Steve Payne

A retired resident of Damascus, Maryland who owns a 2002 Chevrolet S-10 truck that he wants to keep driving until it reaches 300,000 miles.

Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

The state agency that oversees vehicle registration and historic vehicle classification in Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“'Anybody that does historic tags – they're cheaper. There's no inspection. There's no emissions,'”

— Steve Payne, Maryland Resident

What’s next

Next year, Maryland is expected to change the historic vehicle age requirement again, this time allowing vehicles from 2000 to 2002 to qualify.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges and shifting policies around historic vehicle registration, which can have real financial impacts on individual drivers who are caught off guard by rule changes.