(1) In addition to any other registration, the department may approve use of the style of original plates from the vehicle's year of manufacture for motor vehicles valued principally because of the vehicles' early date of manufacture, design, or historical interest or valued as collector's items. Original plates must meet the following criteria in order to qualify for use under this section:
(a) The plates were made at least thirty years prior to registration under this section;
(b) The plates are embossed with the year of original issue;
(c) The plates are legible;
(d) The plates were issued contemporaneously with the year of manufacture of the vehicle upon which they are displayed, as determined by the department; and
(e) The plates do not exceed seven characters.
(2) A person shall not drive the vehicle bearing the original plates except as authorized in section 42-12-301 (5).