Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
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Topic author - Posts: 50
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:17 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Pawlowski
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Roadster
- Location: Milton Delaware
Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
Hello,
Moving to Milton Delaware and from what I've read they aren't as friendly as Pennsylvania when it comes to classic cars.
I haven't contacted anyone yet but was hoping to get some information here.
It seems that I need to bring my classic cars in for inspection which includes the Model T. I'd have to tow it there and have no idea what is necessary and expected to pass inspection.
I also found out after purchasing 1925 Delaware plates that Delaware doesn't allow the use of vintage plates.
Anyone familiar with Delaware MV ?
Moving to Milton Delaware and from what I've read they aren't as friendly as Pennsylvania when it comes to classic cars.
I haven't contacted anyone yet but was hoping to get some information here.
It seems that I need to bring my classic cars in for inspection which includes the Model T. I'd have to tow it there and have no idea what is necessary and expected to pass inspection.
I also found out after purchasing 1925 Delaware plates that Delaware doesn't allow the use of vintage plates.
Anyone familiar with Delaware MV ?
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- Posts: 7237
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 9:37 pm
- First Name: Steve
- Last Name: Jelf
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 touring and a few projects
- Location: Parkerfield, Kansas
- Board Member Since: 2007
- Contact:
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
I would check the DMV website for requirements.
I'm surprised that there's still a state with no YOM law.
I'm surprised that there's still a state with no YOM law.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: Brandi
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
- Location: Moline IL
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
Not from Delaware, but Joe Biden is so they have to have Antique plates
Here are some Delaware DMV links
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Vehicle Inspection Manual - suggest ou do an inquiry before you take the vehicle in for anything
https://dmv.de.gov/forms/veh_serv_forms ... Manual.pdf
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Didn't see any special inspection for Antique Vehicles but the general one has lots of exceptions by Model Year (has a separate one for Street Rods)
Antique Vehicle Registration https://www.dmv.de.gov/VehicleServices/ ... le_antique
https://www.dmv.de.gov/VehicleServices/ ... le_antique
And it appears that they do allow (a) Upon application, the Department may furnish to the owner of a registered antique motor vehicle a special antique motor vehicle plate to be displayed on such antique motor vehicle. This special plate shall be issued in addition to the plate already issued for such vehicle under this chapter.
......
(a) A motor vehicle registered as an antique motor vehicle shall be exempt from annual inspection. A motor vehicle must pass an initial inspection prior to the motor vehicle being registered as an antique motor vehicle. Motor vehicles registered, as antique motor vehicles shall be provided Exempt validating stickers in lieu of the usual expiration date stickers, upon passing the initial inspection.
???? VEHICLES REQUIRING STATE POLICE AUTO-THEFT INSPECTION PROCEDURE
The following vehicles will be referred to the State Police Auto Theft Unit for Inspection.
(1) Vehicles where motor vehicle inspectors cannot locate a VIN.

Here are some Delaware DMV links
--
Vehicle Inspection Manual - suggest ou do an inquiry before you take the vehicle in for anything
https://dmv.de.gov/forms/veh_serv_forms ... Manual.pdf
--
Didn't see any special inspection for Antique Vehicles but the general one has lots of exceptions by Model Year (has a separate one for Street Rods)
Antique Vehicle Registration https://www.dmv.de.gov/VehicleServices/ ... le_antique
https://www.dmv.de.gov/VehicleServices/ ... le_antique
And it appears that they do allow (a) Upon application, the Department may furnish to the owner of a registered antique motor vehicle a special antique motor vehicle plate to be displayed on such antique motor vehicle. This special plate shall be issued in addition to the plate already issued for such vehicle under this chapter.
......
(a) A motor vehicle registered as an antique motor vehicle shall be exempt from annual inspection. A motor vehicle must pass an initial inspection prior to the motor vehicle being registered as an antique motor vehicle. Motor vehicles registered, as antique motor vehicles shall be provided Exempt validating stickers in lieu of the usual expiration date stickers, upon passing the initial inspection.
???? VEHICLES REQUIRING STATE POLICE AUTO-THEFT INSPECTION PROCEDURE
The following vehicles will be referred to the State Police Auto Theft Unit for Inspection.
(1) Vehicles where motor vehicle inspectors cannot locate a VIN.
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
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Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
When I read the part "Model T friendly ?", my mind went
to driving, never even thinking about legal administration.
I never saw any Model T driving in Delaware that looked
appealing.
My idea of what "Model T friendly" looks like:
to driving, never even thinking about legal administration.
I never saw any Model T driving in Delaware that looked
appealing.
My idea of what "Model T friendly" looks like:
More people are doing it today than ever before !
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- Location: Texas
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
When trying to get a Model T inspected or at least antique plates it usually comes down on which inspector or DMV person you talk to.
I would highly recommend to get in touch with other T owners or any antique car clubs and ask them about what your trying to get done,
They can give you advice that will save you lots of time and concerns and probably know the do’s and dont’s.
Good luck!
I would highly recommend to get in touch with other T owners or any antique car clubs and ask them about what your trying to get done,
They can give you advice that will save you lots of time and concerns and probably know the do’s and dont’s.
Good luck!
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- Posts: 82
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- First Name: Milford
- Last Name: Sprecher
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1924 Coupe, 1910 Touring
- Location: Takoma Park, MD
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
There is a Model T guy in Delaware who is active on Ford Barn. He lives in Clayton. His user name on FB is A Bones. There is a chapter of the MTFCA in Delaware, as well.
Heart of Delaware T’s
c/o Pete Ratledge
307 Ratledge Rd.
Townsend, DE 19734
pratledge@aol.com
Heart of Delaware T’s
c/o Pete Ratledge
307 Ratledge Rd.
Townsend, DE 19734
pratledge@aol.com
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- Posts: 6260
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:56 pm
- First Name: Frank
- Last Name: Brandi
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: Speedsters (1919 w 1926 upgrades), 1926 (Ricardo Head)
- Location: Moline IL
- Board Member Since: 2018
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
With only 4 inspection stations in the State of Delaware, their inspectors may be more acquainted with different vehiclesJohn kuehn wrote: ↑Sun Feb 13, 2022 6:41 pmWhen trying to get a Model T inspected or at least antique plates it usually comes down on which inspector or DMV person you talk to.
I would highly recommend to get in touch with other T owners or any antique car clubs and ask them about what your trying to get done,
They can give you advice that will save you lots of time and concerns and probably know the do’s and dont’s.
Good luck!

Delaware City Division of Motor Vehicles
2101 Mid County Drive
New Castle, Delaware 19720
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Greater Wilmington Division of Motor Vehicles
2230 Hessler Boulevard
New Castle, Delaware 19720
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Dover Division of Motor Vehicles
303 Transportation Circle
Dover, Delaware 19903
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Georgetown Division of Motor Vehicles
23737 DuPont Blvd.
Georgetown, Delaware 19947
The past is a great place and I don't want to erase it or to regret it, but I don't want to be its prisoner either.
Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger
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- Posts: 4433
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 8:00 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Kuehn
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 19 Roadster, 21 Touring, 24 Coupe
- Location: Texas
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
Wow your right that! I’m in Texas and thinking in Texas terms! Delaware is a “little bit” smaller than Texas. 
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Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
There is also a MTFCI chapter in Delaware. Surely someone on the forum hails from there. Hopefully they'll see your post.
Delaware T's
John Trout
462 Chambers Lane
West Chester, PA. 19382
<delawarets@modelt.org>
Delaware T's
John Trout
462 Chambers Lane
West Chester, PA. 19382
<delawarets@modelt.org>
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep (sold 2023)
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
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- Posts: 83
- Joined: Sat Jan 19, 2019 8:21 am
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Trout
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1923 runabout, 1913 touring
- Location: West Chester PA
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
Hi Roadster John, DE is a great state for Model Ts. In the last post the MTFCI club was mentioned and the Valley Forge Club of PA (MTFCA) is just over the border. I'm. member of both. If I or we can help or you want to join us in either or both clubs please let me know if I can help.
John Trout
tjtrout462@gmail.com
302-545=0795
John Trout
tjtrout462@gmail.com
302-545=0795
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- Posts: 35
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 12:31 pm
- First Name: Peter
- Last Name: Ratledge
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1911 T touring
- Location: Delaware
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
Hi John,
Delaware is a friendly Model T State. You say that you are moving to Milton DE. Call Georgetown Division of Motor Vehicles. Ask for a permit to drive your Model T to the inspection lane. Take with you the car Title and Insurance card. They will inspect the car and charge you a one year registration fee. From there on there are no fees. When the registration expires, you have to show your insurance card to renew it.
Delaware does not allow you to use a original Antique car tag. They have Antique tag that they will give you. You have to put it on the front. They will give you a numbered tag that you have to put on the back.
My Model T is a 1911. What I did was ask for a tag that started with 1911. I had to get a tag that ended with 191100.
It is not legal to drive a Antique registered Vehicle on the road every day. If you plan to drive your T every day, You have to get it inspected and pay the registration fee every year. Most people don't do that. They just drive the Antique vehicle occasionally.
I hope this helps you.
Pete Ratledge
Delaware is a friendly Model T State. You say that you are moving to Milton DE. Call Georgetown Division of Motor Vehicles. Ask for a permit to drive your Model T to the inspection lane. Take with you the car Title and Insurance card. They will inspect the car and charge you a one year registration fee. From there on there are no fees. When the registration expires, you have to show your insurance card to renew it.
Delaware does not allow you to use a original Antique car tag. They have Antique tag that they will give you. You have to put it on the front. They will give you a numbered tag that you have to put on the back.
My Model T is a 1911. What I did was ask for a tag that started with 1911. I had to get a tag that ended with 191100.
It is not legal to drive a Antique registered Vehicle on the road every day. If you plan to drive your T every day, You have to get it inspected and pay the registration fee every year. Most people don't do that. They just drive the Antique vehicle occasionally.
I hope this helps you.
Pete Ratledge
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Topic author - Posts: 50
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 3:17 pm
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Pawlowski
- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1925 Roadster
- Location: Milton Delaware
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
Hello all,
Thanks for all the replies.
Apologies for not getting back sooner, the wife's been keeping me busy packing boxes and I need to keep an eye on her. She has a habit of throwing my valuables away. Also of all things a squirrel made it down the furnace flue and took up residence under my radial arm saw! Caught it Sunday and drove a distance from the house and released. I'll take a good look at the posts and let them sink in. I'm sure there's plenty of good info. I've never been let down with MTFCA.
Thanks again
Thanks for all the replies.
Apologies for not getting back sooner, the wife's been keeping me busy packing boxes and I need to keep an eye on her. She has a habit of throwing my valuables away. Also of all things a squirrel made it down the furnace flue and took up residence under my radial arm saw! Caught it Sunday and drove a distance from the house and released. I'll take a good look at the posts and let them sink in. I'm sure there's plenty of good info. I've never been let down with MTFCA.
Thanks again
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- Location: N.E. Indiana
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
I love squirrel if they have gravy on them.
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- First Name: James
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- * REQUIRED* Type and Year of Model Ts owned: 1926 Model T Roadster
- Location: Bowie, MD
Re: Moving to Delaware, Model T friendly?
John, are you all moved now and settled in?
Does your T like those Delaware low hills?
Does your T like those Delaware low hills?