A historic vehicle (vehicle of historical interest) is a vehicle that was manufactured at least 30 years ago and has been maintained in its original condition or appropriately restored.
A vehicle’s eligibility as a historic vehicle is determined by a national registered historic vehicle organisation, such as the Historical Vehicle Association of Finland (SAHK), the Finnish Hot Rod Association (FHRA), Classic Data, or Autohistoriallinen Seura ry (Historical Automobile Society).
Please note that the Vehicles Act does not place restrictions on when a historic vehicle may be used. Any operational time limits are related to the vehicle’s insurance, which is why we recommend contacting your insurance company for further information.
Re-registering a registered vehicle as a historic vehicle
If a vehicle that is to be registered as a historic vehicle has already been registered, it must undergo a modification inspection. In addition to the registration certificate, bring the historic vehicle statement issued by a historic vehicle organisation. After the modification inspection, you can change the vehicle’s registration plates to indicate its status as a historic vehicle.
For more information on the modification inspection of a historic vehicle, contact your nearest inspection station.
Registering an unregistered vehicle as a historic vehicle
If a vehicle that is to be registered as a historic vehicle is unregistered, it must undergo a registration inspection. Remember to bring the historic vehicle statement issued by a historic vehicle organisation.
After the registration inspection, you can register the vehicle as a historic vehicle at an inspection station that offers registration services. Remember to bring the following documents:
- The registration inspection certificate that shows that the vehicle has been approved as a historic vehicle by the registration inspection
- Proof of ownership, i.e. a document that demonstrates the vehicle’s uninterrupted chain of ownership from the last owner entered in the register.
- Motor vehicle liability insurance
- The Finnish Tax Administration’s permission for registration, if the historic vehicle has been imported and is subject to vehicle tax. The permit is entered in the Transport Register electronically. The party specified by the Finnish Tax Administration as liable to pay the tax is entered as the owner.
The Finnish Tax Administration is the authority responsible for car taxation before the first registration. Finnish Customs is responsible for imported vehicles.
Registration plates for a historic vehicle
A historic vehicle can be issued with black registration plates that can be used on historic vehicles and historic motorcycles. A historic vehicle’s registration plate begins with the letter M. Historic vehicles can also be fitted with other types of plates instead of a historic vehicle’s registration plate, such as a white registration plate or an EU number plate.