Has anyone been able to get blue CA license plates?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Just wondering. I have the 911 registered right now, but just with the red sticker in the window, no plate issued for the car per se. Since it would be "period correct", does anyone know of a way to obtain and use one of the 1970s yellow-on-blue license plates?

I know you can buy the plates all over the place, but can you take them into the DMV and get them to issue a sticker for that plate? I'd really prefer the blue ones to the new white ones, if possible.

Not much good info. on DMV web site, that I can find.

[abossana]

do a search on ebay, here is one example of what i found by searching "license plate" hope it helps

anthony

http://cgi.ebay.com/1975-CALIFORNIA-LICENSE-PLATE_W0QQitemZ110198621118QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3277 2QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Yes, I know you can source the plates themselves everywhere from ebay to the dumpy little shops along Venice Beach.

I'm wondering if anyone has been able to get one AND get the DMV to issue a sticker for the plate, making it legal for use on their car.

Since my car came from out-of-state, it had no plate. I would much prefer to have a "period correct" blue plate (sourced from wherever) than one of the new white ones (which are kind of obnoxious and distracting, IMHO)

[CT944]

i recently bought my 911 from CA, and it had the old blue plates with a Dec2007 red sticker on it. i now have the plates hanging in my garage.

[edesign45]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Yes, I know you can source the plates themselves everywhere from ebay to the dumpy little shops along Venice Beach.

I'm wondering if anyone has been able to get one AND get the DMV to issue a sticker for the plate, making it legal for use on their car.

Since my car came from out-of-state, it had no plate. I would much prefer to have a "period correct" blue plate (sourced from wherever) than one of the new white ones (which are kind of obnoxious and distracting, IMHO)

I have been looking into this as well for my '73. I've talked to the DMV and AAA and was told you CAN legally register period correct plates to your car, in your case blue plates for your '74. You must have both the front and rear plate, and you will need to make sure they are clear from any other car with AAA or the DMV. (ie stolen) If you have current white CA plates, they will need to be turned in at the time of the registration swap. Hope this helps.

[ljowdy]

If your plan is to register the 72 or 73, the answer is NO

CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE:

Model Year Date License Plates
5004.1. (a) An owner of any vehicle that is a 1962 or older model year vehicle may, after the requirements for the registration of the vehicle have been complied with and with the approval of the department, utilize license plates of this state with the date of year corresponding to the model year date when the vehicle was manufactured, if the model year date license plate is legible and serviceable, as determined by the department, in lieu of the license plates otherwise required by this code. The department may consult with an organization of old car hobbyists in determining whether the date of year of the license plate to be used corresponds to the model year date when the vehicle was manufactured.

(b) A fee of thirty-five dollars ($35) shall be charged for the application for use of the special plates.

(c) In addition to the regular renewal fee for the vehicle for which the plates are authorized, the applicant for a renewal of the plates shall be charged an additional fee of ten dollars ($10). When payment of a regular vehicle renewal fee is not required by this code, the holder of any license plates with a date corresponding to the model year may retain the plates upon payment of an annual fee of twenty dollars ($20), which shall be due at the expiration of the registration year of the vehicle to which the plate was last assigned under this section.

(d) Whenever any person who has been authorized to utilize the special license plates applies to the department for transfer of the plates to another vehicle, a transfer fee of twelve dollars ($12) shall be charged in addition to all other appropriate fees.

Amended Ch. 1292, Stats. 1993. Effective January 1, 1994.


Effective in 2009

Year of Manufacture Plates — Operative July 1, 2009
Amend: Vehicle Code §5004.1 (AB 462 Chapter No. 497)

Extends the Year of Manufacture (YOM) license plate program to include 1969 year model or older passenger vehicles and 1972 or older commercial vehicles.
Increases the original YOM application fee (Fee Code 017) to $45.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Good thing I bought the '74 then.

Did they even issue front plates back then? I thought only rears were issued for many years.

[ljowdy]

California has been issuing 2 license plates for over 60 years

Currently, your 1974 doesn't qualify for re-registraton using an older plate, the law only allows 1962 and earlier.

In 2009, DMV is extending the year to 1969 and earlier for passenger cars and 1972 and earlier for commercial vehicles

[ossiblue]

Although it sounds like Eric's information from the DMV and the code as given by ljowdy seem to be in conflict, this is what may be happening: My understanding is that if your car already has both blue plates that were originally issued, then you may reregister the car using those plates (Eric's DMV/AAA information.) If you do not have plates already, only 62 and earlier cars may reregister (code.) It still may be possible to "squeak" through if you have a clean set of blue plates and claim they came with the car. Chances are, Cal. does not have your car in it's system, especially if it has always been out of state. Since Cal. does not require surrender of plates like many states, it is quite likely that the plates could have moved off to another state for a while, and have "come home." It might be worth a try since someone at DMV has said it is possible.

[ljowdy]

In regards to attempting to register an out of state car using clean "old" plates and claiming that they were the orignal plates: Technically, once the car is registered in a foreign jurisdiction (out of state) those plates can not be re-issued to that car unless it falls under the Vehicle code section I posted above, regardless if the car returns to California. In this case, the car would be issued a new reflective white background, blue letter plate.

Lately, DMV has been doing some serious investigations into matters such as this. While it may be possible to squeak by at a local DMV office, when the paperwork reaches Sacramento, in most cases, it will be denied. But, it never hurts to try.

My 1973 came with the blue plates and had been registered as Non-op for years. It was no problem to obtain current registraton and keep those plates. The reason being, those were the original issue plates and were still associated with my car. Another reason I kept those plates is that the letters are S I N.

[CHILI]

I've been wondering about this, too. I have "vanity" plates and was thinking about having blue plates with the same saying on them. Then, I would just put the sticker on the blue plate and keep the white ones in my safe.

Maybe that's not a good idea? I will check with AAA and the DMV as you suggest. I just figured they wouldn't produce a blue plate any longer. Interesting.

[ljowdy]

First of all, DMV won't make a blue plate as they have discontinued that series. Second, If you have a plate made by the vendors that offer this service and use the plate, it's a violation and if you're caught, law enforcement could impound your car.

Probably a bad idea but, you can fantasize all you want and your car will be safe.

[slodave]

Why not just get a set of replica blue plates with the current numbers? I have seen a number of black and yellow plates on replica Cobra's, sporting 7 digit numbers, not the 6 they should have.
I am going this route when I eventually replace my damaged front plate.

Try this: http://www.licenseplates.tv/cat/california_147.html

You'll need to have them sent to a buddies address outside of CA though.

Dave

Maybe a good idea for the car driven only on Sundays.
OK, I'm late to the party

[ljowdy]

Dave, Click on the link you posted from the guy that makes replica license plates. In BIG RED letters, he says he won't ship to California. It has nothing to do with him not likeing us west coasters but has everything to do with the Calif. Vehicle Code.

A whole bunch of those guys that have 7 digit orange on black plates have simply re-painted their blue on reflective white license plates, which by the way is against the law.

Remember, things may seem legal because "everyone" is doing it but that's far from the truth.

Here are some edited Vehicle code sections for you to read. I just ask that you don't kill the messenger.

4463
(2) Utters, publishes, passes, or attempts to pass, as true and genuine, any false, altered, forged, or counterfeited matter listed in subdivision (a) knowing it to be false, altered, forged, or counterfeited

4464. No person shall display upon a vehicle a license plate altered from its original markings

[Porsche-O-Phile]

How is that different from taking a magic marker on a piece of cardboard and sticking that on the license plate bracket? I see people who have had their plates lost/stolen doing this all the time. I imagine it would be very easy to talk one's way out of, especially if everything else was in order.

The blue plates look nicer and are "classic" California. The new white ones are okay but are visually distracting and a bit obnoxious, IMHO. Also they're HIGHLY reflectorized which I don't like on principle because it helps the financial agenda of the state with their camera enforcement all over the place. I figure anything I can do to buck that system is worth doing, but that's not my primary motivation (I'm not in the habit of running red lights), it's because the blue ones will look about 20X nicer on the car.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

That's okay, I know plenty of people that live in other states that could forward them. It's an interesting idea anyway. . . Technically illegal but then again most interesting things are.

It's one of those "no harm, no foul" kind of issues. I'll consider it.

[ljowdy]

Like I said, It may seem OK because others do it but, when you're caught, you have to be prepared to do the time if you do the crime. Also, don't base your decision on your statement alluding that you can "talk your way out of it"

Also, as I previously said, you run the risk of having your car impounded.

But, I'm not here to police the board, I'm just providing sound advice based on the Calif. Vehicle Code, ONLY you can decide what's best for you.

Again, as I previously said, Don't kill the messenger

[Danimal16]

Can anyone explain California's reasoning for this restriction? Do other states have similar prohibitions? I would think that if an older car that originally had the period correct plates and an enthusiast desired to backdate and informed the DMV, what is the big deal? Its not as if the DMV has the color or model of the plate in their database, its alpha numeric after all. Also why the 69 vs. 71 cutoff between individual and commercial vehicles? What is the California cutoff date for antique vehicle registration and plates?

[DW SD]

I had a '69 Mercedes with its original black license plates. The California DMV would not allow me to re-register those plates and forced me to use new white ones. I was pretty annoyed. This was seven years ago or so.

I guess from their perspective, they want to be able to easily keep track of cars via a quick visual from law enforcement. I think their reasoning is flawed, but it is our reality. I don't run a front plate and have not been pulled over, but I expect to be pulled over. I never drink more than a beer if I drive that car.

Doug

[djdsc]

If you have your black plates (2) in hand and paperwork, such as an older California pink slip (title) or registration with the plate numbers clearly showing the plates were at one time assigned to the car, even if it has been out of State or out of the system, the DMV will reissue the plates as current.