Moving to VA--How should I register my car?

[Bandit]

Well it looks like I will be moving to the Norfolk, VA area in just over a month. I am trying to figure out the best way to register the TA to avoid smog and their BS safety inspection. My research has revealed that cars over 25 years old are exempt from smog in VA. My car is 27 years old. (whew!). But, I would still have pay to have the stupid safety inspection done. This is a problem for me, since my car would fail in about 12 different areas. And I don't want to spend the time and cash to conform to all their ludicrous standards.

I have discovered that I will be exempt from the safety inspection if I register the TA as an antique. Is this a good way to go? How serious are they about only letting you drive it on weekends, etc? Although I don't drive the car much as it is, I would like to be able to drive it to work occasionally on nice days or to pick up my wife from her work, etc. Also, they say you can only drive up to 250 miles from your home if registered antique. I say that sucks! I can't drive my "antique" Bandit out of the state? What if I want to do Hot Rod Power Tour or something? Is there a way around that? What are the other advantages and disadvantages of registering as an antique?

Another possibility I had considered was registering the car through the mail in WI, since that is my home of record. As of yet, WI has no smog or safety inspections that I know of. Is this even feasible? Or do I have to live there to register it. I am active military, as most of you know, so that may make a difference.

So the 3 options:
1. Normal registration in VA and deal with their crappy safety inspect
2. Register as an antique in VA and deal with restrictions
3. Register in my home state of WI

Any advise would help me greatly as I am in a time crunch.

[LoPro67]

Of your three choices,

Getting the antique plates is probably the best way to go. It is a $50 registration fee for the black plates and then an annual "safety inspection"

This option is only available to you if can prove that this is not your only vehicle.

I have normal VA plates on my car, becuase I wanted vanity plates that are not available under the antique way to go.

As far as the safety inspection, you will find that once you get to VA, network a little and find out where the guys go with NOS, AirRide and other "questionable" modifications. The safety inspection is pretty easy to get around.

If all else fails, contact me when you get to VA and I will introduce you to my cousin who runs a State Inspection place in my area, about 120 miles west of Norfolk.

Good luck and welcome back to "the World"