California Historical Vehicle Plates...finally got them

[Joe Bob]

FWIW....I applied for a set of plates in December of last year. Got a LOT of grief from the knuckle draggers at the DMV......they said that my Porsche did not meet the description of a Historical Vehicle.

The three requirements were.....
1) 25 years old
2) made AFTER 1922
3) Is of Historical Interest

The first two weren't too hard, even the 1/2 wits there could figure it out. But number three stumped them.

Waaahhhhl, I don't think a Peooorshuh is of any interest to us here at DMV......hyuk..........

I told them that it was to me....take my money and submit my application. 45 days later I got them.

Neat little tidbit.....if a CA car has Historical Plates it looks like that they are smog exempt even if they are NOT pre 73...one other thing. There is no description of a "Historical Vehicle". So it could be a 25 year YUGO as far the rules go.

[cegerer]

What a pain. Here in Michigan, you fill out a simple form, find an old license plate of the same year as your vehicle, send in the form and a photocopy of the plate and $35 and you're set for as long as you own the vehicle. There is no mileage limit that can be driven each year but there is a statement reading something like, "I intend to drive this vehcile only in parades, to and from car shows, other display purposes, etc." I do alot of "etc." driving. -- Curt

[makaio]

MIkez,

Great news, Too bad I have 1 year left untill my car is 25.

[rscupper]

Mike, don't tease! Smog exempt?! My '74?! I don't think I'll have the same problem with the 'historical' aspect, mine's a 911 .

I'm checking this out today

[widebody911]

Yeah, the last time I got a set for one of my buses, I got the same crap. Only the first ditz I got swore that no such thing as "historical" plates existed! Then the manager drone comes over, and says something like "A VW bus? Um, I could see if it was a corvette or something..." I eventually got them. Then, a year or so later, I got pulled over for a taillight (remember, this was a 1956 VW bus). The officer (CHP) takes my license and paperwork back to his car, then there's a loooong wait. He comes back and has me step out of the car, where I get a free pat-down (normally I have to pay for that!). Seems the license plate didn't register in the system... I had to convince (and I had to *sell* it) that the first 2 letter of the real plate # - "HV" aren't actually on the plate, but they *ARE* on the registration. He calls it back in with the HV pre-pended to the "712E" (I think) that was actually on the plate, they found it, and all was well. It was a little tense though! He let me off with a warning, yada yada yada.

Originally posted by mikez
they said that my Porsche did not meet the description of a Historical Vehicle.

[PorscheDV]

hey mike...could we get a bit more info on the HV plate? is there a mileage limit? what else should i know (as far as limitations...)

i asked the DMV about it a few months ago..but was shot down and told (something like it either didnt exsist, or i didnt qualitfy..so i didnt persue it...) but i'd like to now...

[Joe Bob]

Yes there is a mileage limit....but they don't do an inspection so no way to enforce it. It is a seldom used plate, not encouraged by anyone. Probably a money loser, so they do ot push it.

The ones I got were recycled blue plates, from the 80s, repainted white then lettered red.

[Jack Olsen]

Is there any benefit to having the plates other than the smog exemption?

[Joe Bob]

Nope, beyond being the only one on your block and only 2 bucks a year for registration.....

[SteveStromberg]

Did you get that last Swell? Steve

[pwd72s]

Gee. Anybody here old enough to remember when the U.S.A. was indeed "the land of the free"? I'm 58...but I can't remember being truly "free" from bureaucratic interference. JUst food for thought.

[mstehno]

Are you sure you are smog exempt? I have a 76' that will be due to be tested in a couple of months. I'd really be interested in this if it really works.

[alan911]

Here's the Regs on CA Cars. I'm gonna give it a shot. Don't think it gets out of the smog stuff though.


Vehicles of Historic Value
5004. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, any owner of
a vehicle described in paragraph (1), (2), or (3) which is operated or moved
over the highway primarily for the purpose of historical exhibition or other
similar purpose shall, upon application in the manner and at the time
prescribed by the department, be issued special identification plates for the
vehicle:
(1) A motor vehicle with an engine of 16 or more cylinders manufactured
prior to 1965..Div. 3 —189— §5004.5
(2) A motor vehicle manufactured in the year 1922 or prior thereto.
(3) A vehicle which was manufactured after 1922, is at least 25 years old,
and is of historic interest.
(b) The special identification plates assigned to motor vehicles with an
engine of 16 or more cylinders manufactured prior to 1965 and to any motor
vehicle manufactured in the year 1922 and prior thereto shall run in a
separate numerical series, commencing with “Horseless Carriage No. 1”.
The special identification plates assigned to vehicles specified in
paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) shall run in a separate numerical series,
commencing with “Historical Vehicle No. 1”.
Each series of plates shall have different and distinguishing colors.
(c) A fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) shall be charged for the initial
issuance of the special identification plates. Such plates shall be permanent
and shall not be required to be replaced. If such special identification plates
become damaged or unserviceable in any manner, replacement for the plates
may be obtained from the department upon proper application and upon
payment of such fee as is provided for in Section 9265.
(d) All funds received by the department in payment for such
identification plates or the replacement thereof shall be deposited in the
California Environmental License Plate Fund.
(e) These vehicles shall not be exempt from the equipment provisions of
Sections 26709, 27150, and 27600.
(f) As used in this section, a vehicle is of historic interest if it is collected,
restored, maintained, and operated by a collector or hobbyist principally for
purposes of exhibition and historic vehicle club activities.
Amended Ch. 918, Stats. 1984. Effective January 1, 1985.

[Joe Bob]

Error

[Joe Bob]

Error

[Joe Bob]

The first code section deals with mirrors...

The second mufflers....

the third requires fenders....

So, nothing SAYS you have to smog a car if you have Historical Vehicle plates....

[rscupper]

Went to the DMV a few days ago. Here's how it went:

"I'd like an application for historical plates, please," I ask. "Sure," she says. "I'll be right back." Five minutes later, the document is found.

"Let's see. Your car is a 1974 so it's twenty, uh, er, more than 25 years old," says she. "Yes, it is," says I.

"Good. Now, it was made in 1974 so was, uh, built after 1922," she says. "Uh, yeeeah," I managed.

"OK, it's a Por', Poor', Porsh." "Yes," I say. "Historically significant, too. There were a limited number made that year." Don't you love the logic?

"Very good, then. That'll be $25," she says. "A few questions first," I plead. "What are annual registration costs?" I ask. "None, according to our information." Very good. "I heard somewhere that, uh, maybe, er - do-I-ever-have-to-smog-my-car-again?" I blurt. You'll love this - she says, "well, we usually require smog check like any other vehicle but with historical plates, you'll have to take that up with the smog station." Wink, wink, smile, smile. I caught two flies while my jaw was hanging.

"Well, cool looking plates, no more registration fees, and,uh, negotiable smog checks. Not a bad deal, really." I said. "Yes, not bad at all." she says. "I wish I could have one of those rare Italian sports cars, too."

All the above is accurate. Go to the DMV, you can't make up stuff like this.

BTW - thanks mikez

[Joe Bob]

It's actaully 2 bucks a year....can ya handle that?

[rscupper]

Sure, 2 bucks is what they say now! Didn't you know Cal's in a big financial hurt? Next year it'll probably be $3!!! Maybe we could save some money if we made all the CARB and DMV employees go to work on MLK Day...hmmm.

[alan911]

Convienced me... Next renewal on on my way to the DMV for my '77. Gots fender, gots muffler, gots mirrors. Just renewed for 2002 and smogged in DEC. Could have just made it 2002-1977=25. Damn