Being told that your 2005 car is “historic” can sound like a bad joke… or like a reality check, like when someone calls you “ma’am” right after you turn 27. Well, in Maryland it is no joke because it is the law. Yes, yes, 2005 models already represent old age in this state, and cars as normal as a 2005 Toyota Camry, which is still in the prime of its life (especially because it is a Toyota), can now carry a historic license plate, the kind we used to associate with shiny classics and collector cars. They are not calling your car old, they are calling it “classic”, and so much so that there has already been a wave of applications to obtain one of these plates. You already know that retro drives us crazy.
“Historic” becomes everyday
In Maryland, any vehicle that is 20 years old or more can be considered historic, as long as it is not used as a daily car. It does not require cultural value, rarity, or any kind of special design. So cars manufactured between 2004 and 2005 automatically fall into this group. And many drivers like that, historic plates are cheaper, have fewer fees and less paperwork, the temptation is knocking at the door.
The Camry that lit the fuse
But of course, there has been debate because historic plates have started appearing on completely normal cars, such as a blue 2005 Camry. Nobody thinks a blue 2005 Camry is historic, but the state does, and that is enough, plate approved.
Classic car clubs didn’t like this at all, of course, for them, this completely distorts the concept of “historic”, and they complain that what was meant to protect automotive heritage is turning, they say, into a simple administrative shortcut! What do you think about it? Do you agree with them?
Savings vs. nostalgia
Let us be honest, nostalgia is not in charge here, money is. Historic plates cost less, are renewed less often, and make life easier. For many owners of cars that are “old” (more than 15 years), the decision is clearly practical, not emotional. The problem is that, through pragmatism, “historic” starts to lose its meaning.
Many enthusiasts have commented on forums that there are cars with historic plates that should be closer to the scrapyard than to a museum. The anger is real.
The state, trapped in its own law
From Maryland’s point of view, the situation is uncomfortable because the law is being applied exactly as it was written, and changing it is not easy because it would affect thousands of drivers who already benefit from the system.
But authorities are starting to see the elephant in the room. How can they “fix” this? They are considering raising the minimum age, requiring certain conservation standards, or further limiting vehicle use.
Does this only happen in Maryland?
Not at all. Many states have similar regulations, and even if the 2000s feel like yesterday, 26 years have passed and cars have aged quite a bit. Vehicle production is now massive and there are models that last for decades, so what does it take to be historic?
So… what is a historic car?
For some, a vehicle with magic, with history. For others, an old car that still starts on the first try. And as long as the law does not change, both are right. What is clear is that seeing a 2005 car with a historic plate will no longer be strange in Maryland. But… when does a car stop being old… and when does it truly start being historic?