How Old Does a Motorcycle Need to Be to Be Considered “Vintage”?

A motorcycle is often called “vintage” once it’s at least a few decades old, but there’s no single universal cutoff. Depending on who’s defining it, “vintage” can mean pre-1931 (in traditional British club usage), 30 years or older (in international heritage circles), or roughly 25–35+ years under many insurance, registration, or hobbyist rules. The exact threshold depends on your purpose—registration, insurance, collecting, or racing.

Why the Definition of “Vintage” Varies

“Vintage” is a cultural term more than a strict legal category. Clubs, heritage bodies, insurers, DMVs/registration authorities, and racing organizations each set different age thresholds to suit their needs—preservation, taxation, safety, or competition parity. Understanding who is using the term is the key to knowing whether your motorcycle qualifies.

Common Definitions Used by Major Organizations

Several well-known organizations and communities publish age-based categories that influence how riders, collectors, and regulators use the term “vintage.” Here are frequently cited benchmarks.

• Vintage Motor Cycle Club (VMCC, UK): “Vintage” specifically refers to motorcycles built from 1915 through 1930; “Veteran” covers pre-1915, and “Post-Vintage” generally follows.
• FIVA (Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens): Recognizes “historic” vehicles as 30+ years old, maintained in historically correct condition and not used for daily transport; widely adopted by international heritage circles.
• AMCA (Antique Motorcycle Club of America): Uses “antique” for motorcycles 35+ years old; while it doesn’t formalize “vintage” as a class, many U.S. enthusiasts treat “vintage/classic” loosely in the 25–35+ year span.
• U.S. state DMVs and insurers: Many states offer “antique” or “classic” registration at 25+ years (some 20+, some 30+). Insurers often market “vintage/classic” motorcycle policies at 25+ years, subject to condition and usage.
• Racing bodies (e.g., AHRMA in the U.S.): “Vintage” competition classes often cap at pre-1975 for several disciplines, with “post-vintage” extending into the late 1970s and 1980s depending on the category.

Taken together, these benchmarks explain why “vintage” might mean pre-1931 in a British club context, 30+ years in international heritage standards, or around 25–35+ years in North American insurance and registration practices.

How to Decide What Counts as “Vintage” for Your Situation

Because the right definition depends on your purpose, use the following checks to determine whether your motorcycle qualifies as “vintage” in the context that matters to you.

1. Identify the authority or purpose: Are you seeking club eligibility, show judging, historic plates, insurance, or a racing class?
2. Check the relevant rulebook or policy: Clubs (VMCC/AMCA), heritage bodies (FIVA), DMVs, and insurers publish age criteria that may differ.
3. Confirm the build year: Use the frame/VIN plate, manufacturer records, or club documentation to establish the model year or manufacture date.
4. Assess condition and modifications: Some definitions require period-correct specification (e.g., FIVA), while others allow tasteful upgrades.
5. Consider usage restrictions: Historic registrations and specialty insurance often limit mileage, commuting, or commercial use.

Working through these steps will clarify which age threshold applies and whether your bike fits the “vintage” category in that specific context.

Regional and Category Examples (as of 2025)

United States

In the U.S., the term “vintage” is rarely a formal legal label, but it is widely used by enthusiasts, insurers, and event organizers. Here are common reference points.

• DMV/registration: Many states issue “antique” or “classic” plates at roughly 25+ years; a minority require 30+ years. Rules vary by state and may include usage limits.
• Insurance: Specialty insurers frequently classify motorcycles 25+ years old as eligible for “classic/vintage” coverage, subject to condition and limited use.
• Clubs/events: AMCA treats 35+ years as “antique.” Vintage-focused shows and swaps often welcome bikes 25+ years old, with era classes by decade.
• Racing: AHRMA and similar bodies typically set “vintage” cutoffs around pre-1975 for several classes, with additional eras for post-vintage and next-gen categories.

Practically, a U.S. motorcycle 25–35+ years old often fits “vintage/classic” contexts, but exact eligibility depends on the organization’s rulebook.

United Kingdom

British motorcycling has some of the most traditional terms, still influential in collecting and events.

• VMCC (traditional club usage): Veteran (up to 1914), Vintage (1915–1930), and Post-Vintage thereafter; many shows and runs follow similar era lines.
• DVLA historic tax class: Rolling 40+ years old qualifies for “historic” status (zero-rated Vehicle Excise Duty) once it reaches the rolling cutoff year, unrelated to the “vintage” club term.
• Insurance: Classic/vintage policies commonly start at 20–25+ years, with premiums and conditions reflecting limited use and agreed values.

In the UK, “vintage” strictly means 1915–1930 in many club contexts, while legal/insurance categories use rolling age thresholds (often 25–40+ years).

European/International Heritage Context

Across Europe and many other regions, FIVA’s standards help guide museums, rallies, and preservation-minded events.

• FIVA definition: Historic vehicles are typically 30+ years old, preserved in historically correct condition, and not used for daily transport.
• Events and rallies: Eligibility often mirrors FIVA’s 30-year threshold, with additional classes by decade and originality.
• National rules: Many European countries align “historic” registration or inspection exemptions around 30+ years, with local variations.

If you’re targeting heritage rallies or documentation, expect the 30+ year threshold and originality requirements to be central.

Australia and Canada

These countries widely use “historic” or “collector” schemes, typically based on rolling age thresholds.

• Australia: Club permit/historic schemes often begin at 25+ or 30+ years depending on the state (e.g., Victoria 25+, New South Wales 30+), with usage limits.
• Canada: Provincial “antique” or “collector” registrations frequently start around 25–30+ years, with specific rules for modifications and use.
• Insurance: Specialty providers commonly support 20–25+ year motorcycles under classic/vintage programs with restrictions.

For registration and insurance in Australia and Canada, check your state/province, as age thresholds and permitted use vary.

Key Takeaways

Here’s how to think about “vintage” depending on your goal.

• Traditional club usage (e.g., VMCC): “Vintage” is a specific era—1915–1930.
• Heritage/preservation (FIVA and many events): 30+ years, with originality expectations.
• Registration/insurance (many regions): Typically 25–30+ years for “classic/vintage” eligibility, with usage limits.
• Racing and shows: “Vintage” classes often center on pre-1975 machines, with additional eras defined separately.

If you need a single working rule of thumb outside the strict British club definition, 30+ years is the most widely accepted global benchmark for a motorcycle to be treated as vintage/historic.

Bottom Line

There isn’t one universal age that makes a motorcycle “vintage.” In strict British club terms it’s 1915–1930, while many heritage bodies and policies use rolling thresholds—most commonly 30+ years, with insurers and DMVs often starting around 25–30+ years. Always check the specific rules of the club, event, insurer, or registration authority you’re dealing with.