How to Classify a Historic Vehicle According to the New DGT Regulations?

On October 1st, the new Historic Vehicle Regulations will come into effect, updating a regulation that is three decades old to align it with current European legislation and standardize the treatment and benefits provided to vehicles classified as historic across different countries.

The new regulation, promoted by the Ministries of Interior and Industry and Tourism, aims to prevent the unequal Spanish regulatory treatment compared to other European countries from favoring the exit or loss of historic vehicles to other places outside Spanish territory.

Thus, vehicles manufactured or first registered at least 30 years ago will be considered historic. This also applies to those included in the General Inventory of Movable Property of the Spanish Historical Heritage, declared of cultural interest, or those of special interest.

The use of historic vehicles will be occasional and never as a daily means of transportation to minimize their environmental impact. It urges municipalities to establish formulas in their municipal ordinances that allow circulation for those owners who make sporadic or non-habitual use of their historic vehicles, in exercising their powers to regulate urban road uses and restrict certain vehicles' circulation for environmental reasons.

Vehicles over 60 years old are exempt from periodic ITV (Technical Inspection of Vehicles), while mopeds classified as historic are entirely exempt. However, owners of these vehicles can opt for voluntary ITVs.

The introduction of Historic Vehicle Technical Services is notable; these entities will evaluate vehicles intended for historic classification and issue technical reports and certificates as required by the regulations. These new entities will perform a role similar to that currently undertaken by official regional laboratories.

Two new procedures for classifying historic vehicles are regulated: one "abbreviated" procedure for vehicles registered in Spain that are at least 30 years old, in circulation, and with a valid ITV (Group A), and another more complex procedure for vehicles that do not meet these requirements (Group B), eliminating the cataloging phase deemed unnecessary.

It also regulates the circulation rules for historic vehicles. It sets a speed limit of 80 km/h for historic vehicles without front seat belts by design and prohibits children under 135 cm from riding in historic vehicles without seat belts or where child restraint systems cannot be installed on interurban roads.

The new Historic Vehicle Regulations approved by Royal Decree aim to streamline and reduce costs for owners of such vehicles. The previous regulation had been in force for thirty years, so the new process may generate some doubts. Now, it talks about "classification" instead of "cataloging." There are two groups, A and B, encompassing all vehicles, whereas these categories did not exist before.

For a vehicle to be considered part of 'Group A,' it must have been manufactured or first registered at least 30 years ago, its specific types no longer produced, and be in its original state with an ordinary registration in Spain and a valid ITV.

The owner can request this classification if meeting the requirements by going to the corresponding Traffic Headquarters and submitting a responsible declaration downloadable from the DGT's electronic headquarters. Thus, the applicant will receive a new circulation permit indicating the change to "historic service."

'Group B' vehicles will be those not meeting the first group's requirements. However, it also includes those that meet them but prefer a historic registration because the ordinary one does not correspond with the manufacturing or registration date.

This group also includes imported vehicles with foreign registration without a valid ITV. The procedure is more complex than Group A's since Group B owners must obtain a favorable Technical Report from a Historic Vehicle Technical Service (STVH) before passing ITV and requesting a circulation permit. Finally, they must go to the Traffic Headquarters with documentation to complete the process and obtain historic registration.

While vehicles must always have original parts, there are some exceptions. The new regulation allows certain modifications before classification if they were common during production or up to fifteen years after production ended affecting vehicle structure, systems, or components. Conversely, post-classification modifications are only allowed if they restore the vehicle to its original version. Motorcycles can install a sidecar.

Owners wishing to make these modifications must request a conformity certificate from an STVH and present the vehicle for technical inspection.

Historic vehicles can only be used occasionally, not exceeding 96 days annually. They cannot be used for public transport of passengers or goods; nor for agricultural or construction activities. They can be used in static exhibitions and film or advertising shoots.

Additionally, their use is permitted for activities that do not significantly impact the transport market or involve short distances per transport regulations.

Periodic technical inspections for classified historic vehicles will follow conditions set during classification; frequency aligns with vehicle inspection regulations unless otherwise justified by Historic Vehicle Technical Services. Vehicles over 60 years old are exempt from periodic ITV; mopeds classified as historic are entirely exempt unless owners opt for voluntary ITVs.

Historic Vehicle Technical Services are introduced; these entities evaluate intended historic vehicles and issue necessary technical reports and certificates similar to current regional official laboratories' work.

It sets an 80 km/h speed limit for historic vehicles without front seat belts by design and prohibits children under 135 cm from riding in such vehicles on interurban roads without seat belts or child restraint systems installed where possible.

Historic vehicle use will be occasional with a maximum of 96 days annually; they cannot be used as daily transport minimizing environmental impact. General prohibition applies to using historic vehicles for public passenger/goods transport or agricultural/construction activities.

The promoting ministries expect positive economic impact as more professionals/companies engage in restoring such vehicles increasing buying/selling activity.