(a) As used in this Code section, the term "authentic historical Georgia license plate" means a license plate originally issued in the year 1957 or earlier and originally required to be displayed on motor vehicles operated upon the streets and highways of this state in the year 1957 or earlier pursuant to former motor vehicle registration laws of this state.

(b) The owner of any antique motor vehicle manufactured in 1957 or earlier shall be authorized to display in lieu of and in the same manner as the license plate otherwise required under Code Section 40-2-41 an authentic historical Georgia license plate which clearly represents the model year of any such antique motor vehicle, provided that the owner has properly registered such antique motor vehicle for the current year as otherwise required under this chapter and has obtained a current Georgia license plate or revalidation decal for such antique motor vehicle. Such currently valid Georgia license plate shall be kept in such antique motor vehicle at all times but need not be displayed in a manner to be visible from outside the vehicle.

(c) For purposes of this Code section, the authentic historical Georgia license plate shall be furnished by the owner of any such antique motor vehicle.

(d) No later than January 1, 2001, the commissioner shall have installed within the Department of Revenue's computer information system applicable to the registration of motor vehicles the necessary program which will include in the information relating to the current Georgia license plate or revalidation decal issued for an antique motor vehicle the information relating to the authentic historical Georgia license plate authorized to be display on such antique motor vehicle.