Speedometer Lock

[Joe C.]

In order for a vehicle to qualify for "Collector Plates", the Great State of NJ requires the installation of a "speedometer lock". This is to prevent tampering (yeah, like it's a cakewalk to fool with the clock on an '85 Corvette). I don't like the sound of it. Does anybody know where it goes, and what's involved in the installation?

Joe

[John H.]

Re: Speedometer Lock

Sounds like something only a bureaucrat could dream up - never heard of such a thing

[Richard T.]

Re: Speedometer Lock

When did this start? I live in New Jersey, own three cars currently with collector plates and none required this lock. One of them was registered with QQ plates last Sept or Oct. Is this a requirement only for the later cars? All mine are C-1s. Rich

[Joe C.]

Re: Speedometer Lock

Rich:

This is for my 1985. It does not yet qualify for historic plates ("QQ")in NJ, for which the car must be at least 25 years old. Since I drive it very little, and it is insured with Grundy, along with my '65, there is a special "collector vehicle" registration which exempts the vehicle from the annual State inspection. I just hate having some bureaucratic knucklehead/robot run my baby through the inspection process. In another 4 years, I will get the QQ plates for it, which I have on the '65. The HISTORIC registered cars DO NOT require a speedometer lock.
Hope that cleared it up for you.

Joe

[Mike B.]

Re: Speedometer Lock

Joe,

I live in NJ and have collector plates on my '61. All I had to do was go to the inspection station, have the inspector note the mileage, then drive around the block to prove that the odometer worked. That was last fall. I wonder if the lock is something required in 2005. Please let me know when you find out. Thanks. Mike (mike (mbovino@uniclean.com)

[Joe C.]

Re: Speedometer Lock

Mike:

Just to clarify, they are not collector "plates", but a special inspection sticker which exempts the vehicle from State inspection. If this is what you have on your '61, then you really should put historic ("QQ") plates on it.
I am going to bring my '85 to the Eatontown MV facility sometime next week. What you say sounds entirely reasonable....if the speedo works, then that should be proof enough! Of course, these knuckleheads don't understand that disconnecting the speedometer cable on a "modern" car will trigger a "check engine" light. Anyway, if somebody wants to install any hardware on my car, then I'll run him over first, and pass on the collector status.

Joe

[Mike B.]

Re: Speedometer Lock

Joe,

We are on the same page with the type of plates although I think we are caught up on semantics. I did not want QQ plates as they are not as amenable to "vanity" personalization. Yet, I did not want nor need regular plates that would necessitate a ham-fisted regular state inspection. Thus the special category of plate that we both seek (an exemption sticker instead of the regular inspection sticker). This limits annual mileage to 3000 which fits well with the collector insurance that is carried. I use the Flemington inspection facility. Perhaps there is some interpretation of the rules. Check the Access DMV website. The info there is not bad.

Good luck!
Mike

[Joe C.]

Re: Speedometer Lock

Yes, Mike, I believe that the QQ designation allows 1 or 2 less characters than standard "vanity" plates. I am lucky because my "365SHP" tag fits into the QQ format.
I have a feeling that when I go to the DMV facility next week, that it will be as you related. If not, I will let you all know.

Joe