Anyone know about license plates in California?

Here is the legal excerpt from the California Vehicle Code - Section 4609. I do not think that unless it is considered a "historical" vehicle under code section 5004 you can do it


4609. The department may extend the life of the current series of license plates, outstanding during 1957, and may hereafter issue a new series of license plates for an indefinite period of time, but in no event for a period less than five (5) years. During each intervening year of the period for which the plates are issued, the department shall issue a tab, sticker, or other suitable device as herein provided.

Any such series of plates may be canceled by the director with the approval of the Governor at any time after five years from the year of issuance of such series.


Plates, Issuance of Series under 5004
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.

(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.


Good idea and try though.

Jennifer

Unless it was personalized, you can't do it.

I still have my personalized plates that I got when I first started driving in '87. I won't give them up, they're the rare white ones with the sun on them.

CA doesn't make the black plates anymore. Its the reason I never got personalized plates for my 68 Cougar. I didn't want to lose the original black plates. They are sort of a badge of honor in CA for anyone with a classic muscle car.

BMSTANG said:

CA doesn't make the black plates anymore. Its the reason I never got personalized plates for my 68 Cougar. I didn't want to lose the original black plates. They are sort of a badge of honor in CA for anyone with a classic muscle car.

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Almost exactly what I was going to say, except someone stole my old B&Y plates. Don't have that car anymore anyway.