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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,022 Posts1,055,384 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 52 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 52 | I searched and didn't find info on this one though I imagine it has to have been covered. After a move from CA, I am attempting to register my '49 in texas and have gotten conflicting info on what I need to get it registered as a full fledged daily driver. Guy at the inspection station says he can only go by what is in the book which says he needs to look for horn, seatbelts, wipers, etc which I don't have. He told me to call DPS which says I only need what was std when it was new though there seems to be no way to referee what this amounts to. Anyone know where this may be documented or be able to recommend a classic car friendly (wink, wink) inspection place in the Houston area?
Thanks | | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,966 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,966 | Have you researched the Texas DMV (or whatever it's called) website to see if they have anything useful?
Professional Novice
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Sec. 548.051.(a)(11) front seat belts in vehicles on which seat belt anchorages were part of the manufacturer's original equipment; Ref. TRANSPORTATION CODE
TITLE 7. VEH...CLES
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS You will need horn, wipers and everything else listed in the document. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | Must have horn, wipers and all lights must work.
If your truck had turn signals and the equipment is there then the turn signals must work. If it is like my 58 then there were no turn signals and so they are not required if it is a half ton narrow bed.
If your truck is a half ton then it may not need but the drivers side tail and stop lamp. That's all my 58 short step side has.
As Cletis pointed out, if your truck originally had seat belts (which I doubt) then they would need to be in place. If it does not have the anchors for seat belts then it is not required as they were not standard equipment in 49.
My 58 is a plain truck. Vacuum wipers, no turn signals, no seat belts and one tail/stop lamp. Passes Texas inspection every time.
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | if you have seat belts installed you have to use them or you will be ticketed regardless of whether they were required or not Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 52 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jul 2007 Posts: 52 | Thanks for all your help. From what I have found out, my best bet seems to be registering as an antique vehicle until the time that I can add on wipers and a horn. Just a silly question here, but is the law in fact written in a way that wipers need to be operational, or does the vehicle just not to have these items?
Last edited by vik morgan; 08/15/2012 9:41 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,636 | Yes, the wipers have to be operational in Texas. And the vehicle is required to have wipers. Some of the older vehicles only had one wiper and since that was standard equipment that is all that would be required.
But yours would have had two wipers so they must be operational.
Registering yours as an antique may limit your driving abilities though. May limit you to driving it for special events such as to and from parades, car shows and such.
I'm not really up to date on this though since mine is registered for every day use. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Oct 2002 Posts: 4,066 | you dont need them to register but you do need them for inspection... that is if you have a wind shield
so now you are wondering why would one do that........well because they might want to drive it and take a chance on getting just one ticket instead of two... registered, Insurance, but no inspection..
you can probably get buy with driving a lot with just antique plates as long as you dont drive it ever day to work and the same cop is waiting for you...lol Redryder pixMy HotrodA veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard, or reserve - is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to The 'United States of America', for an amount of "up to and including my life."I am fighting cancer and I am winning the fight | Pain is part of life; misery is an option. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 200 | Hey Vik,
Where are you in the Houston area? There are a few of us on here. I'm in Spring/Tomball area. Mark
1951 Chevy 3100 Some days you get the bear. Some days the bear gets you.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 1 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Sep 2012 Posts: 1 | antique plates do not require a safety inspection. i don't believe you can get antique plates for vehicles over 1 1/2T. tags are good for 5 years. if you aren't going to an event or club meeting and you get stopped by the state they tend to get a bit upset. there is an annual mileage limit but none of the forms require an odometer statement. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | There is nothing about an annual mileage limit in Sec. 504.502. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 140 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 140 | Hey guys....I'm near Houston. Just started a 55 Chevy 3100 2nd series project. I do mobile dustless blasting if anyone needs paint stripped. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 159 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2003 Posts: 159 | Hi Folks,
Haven't posted in a while but thought I would add some info I found online on this subject. Last year I registered YOM Texas plates on my 51 Chevy Styleline and registered it for anytime driving. This meant getting the car inspected and all that was required was the car had working head and tail lights, the brake lights, horn and windshield wipers. When the inspector asked for a turn signal, I stuck my left arm out the window and hollared "left turn!" Car PASSED!
Anyhow, here is some info from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles site:
Antique Vehicle You may apply for Antique license plates for your motor vehicle if it is at least 25 years old and a collector's item. The motor vehicle must be used exclusively for exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest. Motor vehicles displaying Antique plates may not be used for regular transportation or advertising. The motor vehicle may be driven to and from a location for routine maintenance. Texas Antique Vehicle
Since I did not register my old Chevy as an Antique or Classic, I can drive any where at anytime I wish. I did go with the Year of Manufacture Texas Tags and here is the link for that info: Reuse of Old Texas Tags for Antique and Classic Vehicles
There has been some scuttlebutt about the state of Texas was not to allow the use of YOM plates. Here is a link where they explain the repeal of that rule and continuation of use of YOM plates: Continued use of YOM Plates
Hope this tidbit of info is helpful.
Cheers!
| | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | Good work digging that up Keith. I searched and searched for the info in Bulletin #034-11 last year. I even emailed my state rep and never got an answer. (He no longer gets my vote.)
Thanks for posting. | | |
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