Now is the time to buy and register your classic plates in order to be grandfathered before the new law takes effect. After Jan. 1, 2011, YOM plates will only be allowed for new registration as "antique". Antique vehicle registration does not allow the car to be driven daily but only infrequently to car shows, antique shows, etc. After Jan. 1, 2011, if you want classic registration, which allows for daily driving with no restrictions, your car will have to use the state issued "specialty plate" unless you have grandfathered YOM plates. But if you buy your YOM plates now and get them registered before Jan. 1, 2011, you'll be grandfathered and can continue using them as long as you don't let your "classic" registration expire.

Text of section effective until September 01, 2011 Sec. 504.501. CLASSIC MOTOR VEHICLES. (a) The department shall issue specialty license plates for a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old. The license plates must include the words "Classic Auto," "Classic Motorcycle," or "Classic Truck" or a similar designation, as appropriate. (b) A person eligible for the license plates may instead use license plates that were issued by this state in the same year as the model year of the vehicle and are approved by the department. The department may require the attachment of a registration insignia to the license plate in a manner that does not affect the display of information originally on the license plate. (c) The fee for issuance or approval of license plates under this section is $15. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1320, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1136, Sec. 32, eff. September 1, 2011.

Text of section effective on September 01, 2011 Sec. 504.501. CLASSIC MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS. (a) The department shall issue specialty license plates for a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old. The license plates must include the word "Classic" or a similar designation, as appropriate. (b) A person eligible for the license plates may instead use license plates that were issued by this state in the same year as the model year of the vehicle and are approved by the department if the plates are approved for the vehicle before January 1, 2011. The department may require the attachment of a registration insignia to the license plate in a manner that does not affect the display of information originally on the license plate. (c) There is no fee for issuance or approval of license plates under this section. Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1320, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1136, Sec. 32, eff. September 1, 2011.