California Black Plates

1973911s · 03-25-2006, 06:45 AM

I have found a truck I am interested in, it is currently registered in MO. The car was from California, and has the original title and black plates.

If I bring the car back to California, can I register it using the black plates that were original on the car?

Michael

speeder · 03-25-2006, 07:32 AM

Probably not, but possibly. Sorry for not being more specific, but I stopped trying to keep up w/ their dumb rules regarding plates. Let us know what the DMV says.

You could always be naughty and just put them on, w/ your new stickers of course, and plead ignorance if ever caught. If you are a lawful driver otherwise in a vintage vehicle the chances of getting checked out by the cops here in L.A. is close to nil. They are a little busy for that stuff.

Steve Carlton · 03-25-2006, 07:57 AM

Pretty sure you can.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Try this. Register the truck in CA through a DMV service. Explain that the vehicle was 'not operated on California roads.' There used to be a form you could use for that. Then, you theoretically could pay back fees and keep the black plates. (You'd have to have a recently dated Bill of Sale to do this.)

OTOH, if the vehicle is old enough (I think it's '62 and earlier) you can apply to use black plates, even if the DMV knows you brought the vehicle from another state.

TerryH · TerryH's Garage

I've heard that if the plates are period-correct, then yes. But haven't researched for factual. Call the DMV.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Not sure about the black plates, I would say no. On the blue plates I can tell you they told me no.

speeder · 03-25-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by techweenie
Try this. Register the truck in CA through a DMV service. Explain that the vehicle was 'not operated on California roads.' There used to be a form you could use for that. Then, you theoretically could pay back fees and keep the black plates. (You'd have to have a recently dated Bill of Sale to do this.)

Unfortunately, I don't think that this would work because after a certain # of years w/o registration in CA. a vehicle goes "off the books", or I think that it is referred to as "no record found".....

The good news about this is that you do not have to pay back fees, (and also you can register an old vehicle w/ just a bill of sale, but they most definitely issue new plates and start over.

930addict · 930addict's Garage

I'm pretty sure you can use the balck plates.