Historic Motor Vehicle plates have been issued continuously, albeit sporadically, since the type was introduced in February 1979 to replace Antique Car. Individuals to whom they are issued have always been required to renew their registration annually, which is to say these limited-use plates are not issued on a permanent basis for a one-time fee as are plates of the same and similar types issued in many of the states. Like D.C. plates of other types, the validity of HMV registrations is now indicated with a windshield sticker.

HMV plates may be used on vehicles that are at least 25 years old and vehicles at least 15 years old of a make that is no longer in production. Numbering began at HMV 1 in 1979 and proceeded sequentially, with the four-number series, beginning with plate HMV 1000, being reached in early 2007 or late 2006.

Registration number 217 was issued in Nov. 1984 whereas 629 was assigned in June 2003, almost 19 years later. Based upon these two plates it appears that an average of approximately 22 or 23 HMV registrations were issued annually during this period.