How old does a car have to be to be an antique in Indiana?

How old does a car have to be to be an antique in Indiana? The legal starting point is generally 25 years, but age alone does not automatically qualify a vehicle for antique plates, collector registration, or classic car insurance.

Indiana distinguishes between antique, historic, and collector vehicles, and each category may have different registration, usage, and insurance rules. This guide from Auto Insure News explains the age requirement, how to check eligibility, and what owners should know before registering or insuring an older car.

When a car qualifies as an antique in Indiana

Under Indiana Code 9-13-2-3, an antique motor vehicle is a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old.

This 25-year rule provides a clear starting point for Indiana vehicle owners. In 2026, subtracting 25 from the current year gives a general threshold of the 2001 model year. Owners should still confirm eligibility with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles historic vehicle requirements, as registration decisions rely on the vehicle record and the submitted documents.

A car does not need to come from the early years of motoring to reach Indiana’s legal antique age. Vehicles from the late 1990s and early 2000s may now meet the age requirement even if they still look modern. Reaching 25 years does not mean every older car will qualify for every special registration or insurance policy. Age establishes whether the vehicle meets Indiana’s basic definition. The way it is owned, maintained, and used may determine which registration or insurance options are available.

How to calculate the age of an antique car

The simplest calculation is:

Current year minus vehicle model year equals vehicle age

For example:

This table is a basic guide, not a BMV eligibility decision. The title, vehicle identification number, and registration record must correctly identify the vehicle. The model year is usually more useful than the date the owner purchased or restored the car. A 1995 vehicle restored in 2025 is still based on the 1995 model year. Restoration does not restart or change the vehicle’s age.

Owners of imported, reconstructed, replica, or specially assembled vehicles may need additional documents. The year shown on the title may not always match the year that the vehicle’s appearance represents.

Why does an antique not always mean the same thing?

There is no single definition of “antique” that applies to every automotive situation in the United States. The word can have different meanings depending on who is using it. A state motor vehicle department may use the term for registration and license plates. An insurer may use it for policy eligibility and vehicle valuation. A collector club may base its definition on age, authenticity, and historical importance.

This means a vehicle may be:

• Antique under Indiana law
• Historic for registration purposes
• A collector vehicle based on how it is used
• Classic under an insurance company’s rules
• Too new for a specific club or judged event

None of these classifications automatically controls the others.

When completing official paperwork, use the definition provided by the agency or company handling the application. A description in a sales advertisement does not establish legal or insurance eligibility.

Antique, historic, and collector vehicles in Indiana

Indiana uses several related terms when dealing with older vehicles.

Antique motor vehicle

Indiana law defines an antique motor vehicle by age. The vehicle must be at least 25 years old. This is the basic legal definition. Other requirements may apply when the owner requests a particular registration type or license plate.

Historic vehicle

The Indiana BMV states that a vehicle at least 25 years old may be registered with a historic license plate. Historic vehicles are subject to the standard registration fee, vehicle excise tax, and any applicable county or municipal excise tax. The word “historic” in this context refers to Indiana registration. It does not guarantee that an insurance company will treat the car as a classic or collector vehicle.

Collector vehicle

A historic vehicle may be registered as a collector vehicle for a reduced fee when it meets three conditions:

• It is at least 25 years old.
• It is owned, operated, restored, maintained, or used as a collector’s item, leisure pursuit, or investment.
• It is not used primarily for transportation.

The owner must submit Indiana State Form 56166 when first registering the collector vehicle and at each renewal. The additional conditions are important. A 25-year-old car used every day for commuting may meet the age definition of an antique vehicle, but may not satisfy the collector-vehicle usage requirement.

What does “not used primarily for transportation” mean

Indiana’s Collector Vehicle Affidavit requires the owner to affirm that the vehicle is not used primarily for transportation. The form does not provide a list of every permitted and prohibited trip. Its wording focuses on the vehicle’s main purpose.

A collector car may generally be associated with activities such as:

• Car shows
• Club events
• Exhibitions
• Parades
• Leisure drives
• Maintenance trips
• Restoration work
• Use as an investment or collector item

A car used regularly for commuting, school trips, shopping, or other daily transportation may not fit that description. Owners should answer the affidavit accurately. The fact that a car is old or valuable does not change how it is actually used.

If the vehicle is the owner’s only form of transportation, it may be difficult to show that it is primarily a collector item rather than a regular-use car.

How authentic model year plates work

Indiana permits an eligible collector vehicle to display an authentic Indiana license plate from the vehicle’s model year for an additional annual fee. The plate does not have to be the exact physical plate originally issued to that particular car. However, it must have been issued by the Indiana BMV in the same year as the vehicle’s model year.

The authentic plate must:

• Be made of metal
• Be in good or original condition
• Have clearly readable letters, numbers, and markings
• Have no more than minor surface rust
• Not be bent
• Have no unplanned holes
• Match the BMV records for that model year

The plate may be restored, but the BMV can reject it if the design no longer matches the original specifications.

The owner must take the authentic model year plate to a BMV branch for inspection. The historic plate remains registered to the vehicle, and the owner must carry the historic plate and registration certificate inside the car when using the authentic plate.

An authentic model year plate is optional. A qualifying owner may use the regular historic plate instead.

Does a 25-year-old car automatically qualify for antique insurance?

No single age guarantees approval for antique or classic car insurance.

Insurance companies use their own definitions and underwriting rules. A vehicle’s age can make it eligible for review, but the insurer may also consider:

• Collector or historical value
• Condition
• Rarity
• Annual mileage
• Daily use
• Storage location
• Driver history
• Access to another regular-use vehicle
• Modifications
• Restoration status

Progressive notes that there is no universally accepted age for a classic car. Age ranges vary, while historical significance, rarity, condition, and collector demand may also affect how the vehicle is classified.

A 25-year-old family sedan used for daily commuting may still need standard auto insurance. A carefully maintained vehicle of the same age that is stored securely and driven only occasionally may be a stronger candidate for collector coverage. Owners in northwest Indiana can also compare the requirements for classic insurance in Gary, Indiana before applying for specialty coverage.

Owners can read when a car becomes a classic for insurance for a closer look at age, usage, value, and storage requirements.

Classic and antique are not interchangeable

Classic and antique are often used interchangeably. In practice, their meanings depend on the situation. Under Indiana law, an antique has a clear age requirement of at least 25 years. The term “classic” does not have a single universal age that applies to all insurers or collector organizations.

A car may be called classic because it has:

• Historical importance
• Collector demand
• A rare trim or engine
• Limited production
• An unusual design
• Strong cultural recognition
• Rising market value

Some newer vehicles may qualify for specialty insurance because they have collector appeal, even though they are not yet 25 years old. At the same time, an ordinary vehicle does not necessarily gain collector value on its 25th birthday. For registration questions, follow Indiana BMV rules. For insurance questions, follow the insurer’s policy and underwriting requirements. Comparing auto insurance companies in Indiana can also show how differently insurers classify an older vehicle.

Vintage is a separate term

Vintage is another term that is often used loosely. Some organizations associate it with a particular period in automotive history, while sellers and enthusiasts may use it for almost any older vehicle. Indiana’s legal definition of an antique motor vehicle does not depend on whether the car is described as vintage. The relevant state age threshold remains 25 years.

An owner should not rely on a classified advertisement, auction listing, or online forum to determine registration eligibility. Confirm the model year and use the current BMV requirements.

Does restoration affect antique status?

Restoration does not normally change a vehicle’s age. A car built for the 1970 model year remains a 1970 vehicle after new paint, an engine rebuild, or an interior restoration.

However, restoration and modifications may affect:

• Collector value
• Insurance eligibility
• Appraisal results
• Acceptance by a car club
• Entry into judged events
• Eligibility to display an authentic model year plate

The Indiana BMV may reject an authentic license plate that no longer matches the original plate specifications. This rule applies to the plate, not necessarily to every restored part of the car. Insurance companies may accept restored and modified vehicles, but they may request photographs, receipts, or an appraisal. Report major changes accurately when requesting coverage. If the vehicle will be stored during the colder months, review classic car winter storage practices before choosing a facility.

Does antique registration limit driving?

Indiana distinguishes between a historic vehicle and a collector vehicle. A historic vehicle must meet the 25-year age requirement. A collector vehicle must also be kept or used as a collector’s item, leisure pursuit or investment and must not be used primarily for transportation.

Owners should review the registration type they are applying for rather than assuming every older vehicle has identical use restrictions. Insurance policies may contain separate limits. An insurer may restrict commuting, business use, or annual mileage even if the BMV registration allows broader use.

The registration and insurance requirements must both align with how the vehicle is driven.

Documents to prepare before registration

Having the correct documents can prevent delays at the BMV. Depending on the registration request, an owner may need:

• The Indiana certificate of title
• The vehicle identification number
• Current registration documents
• Proof of insurance
• Collector Vehicle Affidavit, State Form 56166
• Payment for registration fees and taxes
• The authentic model year plate for inspection
• Other ownership or vehicle records requested by the BMV

The Collector Vehicle Affidavit must be completed when the collector registration is first issued and during each renewal. The owner signs it under penalties for perjury. Check the current form before visiting a branch. Old copies may not reflect the latest instructions.

What to check before buying a 25-year-old car

A car reaching the antique age threshold may appear more desirable, but age alone does not make it valuable or suitable for collector use.

Before buying, check:

• The title status
• Vehicle identification number
• Rust and structural condition
• Engine and transmission condition
• Previous accident damage
• Availability of replacement parts
• Quality of restoration work
• Maintenance records
• Current market value
• Insurance eligibility
• Suitable storage
• Intended use

Storage can affect eligibility for collector coverage as well as the risk of theft and weather damage. Before committing to a storage arrangement, check whether garage storage lowers classic car insurance rates in Indiana and confirm the insurer’s enclosure and security requirements.

Ask for an insurance quote before completing the purchase. An older vehicle may require specialized parts, towing, or repair services that are not covered by a standard used-car policy. If you plan to seek an agreed value policy, gather photographs, receipts, appraisals, and comparable sales. The amount paid for the car does not always establish its insurable value. Understanding stated-value car insurance can help you compare how an insurer may value your vehicle.

Common mistakes when classifying an antique car

Owners can avoid registration and insurance problems by watching for these mistakes:

• Assuming every 25-year-old car is collectible
• Treating antique and classic as universal terms
• Using the purchase date instead of the model year
• Assuming an antique plate guarantees specialty insurance
• Registering a daily driver as a collector vehicle
• Failing to update the insurer after modifications
• Using an authentic plate before the BMV inspection
• Forgetting to carry the historic plate and registration certificate
• Relying on another state’s age requirement
• Submitting an outdated affidavit
• Providing an incorrect storage or usage description

When two organizations use different definitions, apply the rule of the organization that made the decision. The BMV controls registration, while the insurer controls policy eligibility.

Under Indiana law, a car becomes an antique motor vehicle when it is at least 25 years old. In 2026, a 2001 model is the general starting point, subject to the vehicle record and current BMV requirements.

The age threshold does not automatically make the vehicle eligible for every benefit. Collector registration also requires the vehicle to be owned or used as a collector’s item, leisure pursuit, or investment rather than primarily for transportation.

Insurance companies apply their own standards. They may consider age along with value, condition, use, mileage, and storage. Confirm registration requirements with the Indiana BMV and insurance requirements directly with the company before applying.