With the law changing next June how can I verify that a certain black plate number is free to be used on my '69.

The '68 I had from'71 -'73 I sold as just a body with no running gear at all. No diff. just leafs. The last time I saw it was in '75 sitting on jack stands.

I would like to use the plate numbers if I could find out if they are not still in use.

Should I just ask a cop to run the numbers?

I would think the proper channel would be DMV.

alan

With the law changing next June how can I verify that a certain black plate number is free to be used on my '69.

The '68 I had from'71 -'73 I sold as just a body with no running gear at all. No diff. just leafs. The last time I saw it was in '75 sitting on jack stands.

I would like to use the plate numbers if I could find out if they are not still in use.

Should I just ask a cop to run the numbers?
I think you have to have the both original black plates to be able to get them registered to the car.
Since CA has not repeated any plate numbers since 1963, if you have both the plates they should not be registered to any other car.
You can't just go down to the DMV and ask them to make you new black plates in any number you want!

Here is what you do if you want 1963 to 69 black plates. You go to Ca DMV,
https://vrir.dmv.ca.gov/ipp2/initPers.do
and order the "Arts", or,"Kids" plate.. This is a 6 character plate beginning with 3 letters and ending with 3 numbers. Once your plates arrive, there are plate venders that can make you a vintage 1963 to 1969 plate using the characters off your palm tree plate.
I haven't done this. Someone I met at Hot August Nights told me they did.

Here is what you do if you want 1963 to 69 black plates. You go to Ca DMV,
https://vrir.dmv.ca.gov/ipp2/initPers.do
and order the "Arts", or,"Kids" plate.. This is a 6 character plate beginning with 3 letters and ending with 3 numbers. Once your plates arrive, there are plate venders that can make you a vintage 1963 to 1969 plate using the characters off your palm tree plate.
I haven't done this. Someone I met at Hot August Nights told me they did.
And that's legal????

Jeff

could you make this work for you somehow ?
http://www.licenseplates.tv/cat/Replica%20California%20License%20Plates%20from%201 963%20to%201968.html
it appears you Cali guys would need an out-of-state connection to go this route.
I have a 1969 "KY" version on my Camaro.

this is legal in Ky.; one would need to research the individual issuing state for legality.

In Minnesota, you have to bring the set of plates into the DMV and they check them to make sure they are readible and in decent shape. The plates cant be all rusted out and bent up. They also check them to make sure they are not formatted like the current plates. If everything is good, they register the car with the plates you brought in. The year of the plates have match the model year of the car you are registering them to.

Here is what you do if you want 1963 to 69 black plates. You go to Ca DMV,
https://vrir.dmv.ca.gov/ipp2/initPers.do
and order the "Arts", or,"Kids" plate.. This is a 6 character plate beginning with 3 letters and ending with 3 numbers. Once your plates arrive, there are plate venders that can make you a vintage 1963 to 1969 plate using the characters off your palm tree plate.
I haven't done this. Someone I met at Hot August Nights told me they did.

And that's legal????

Jeff

People say a lot of things... Dayton, maybe this guy you spoke with slipped one past the DMV but I tried to order personalized plates matching the restored black plates I have and was told I couldn't use 3 letters and 3 numbers because it duplicated the pattern the dmv used on the black plates.

could you make this work for you somehow ?
http://www.licenseplates.tv/cat/Replica%20California%20License%20Plates%20from%201 963%20to%201968.html
it appears you Cali guys would need an out-of-state connection to go this route.
I have a 1969 "KY" version on my Camaro.

this is legal in Ky.; one would need to research the individual issuing state for legality.

This is a quote from their "Legal" statement... I bolded the key words.
Autogeardepot.com, Inc. and LICENSEPLATES.TV maintain this site for online shoppers to purchase novelty or non-official license plates and license plate frames

In Minnesota, you have to bring the set of plates into the DMV and they check them to make sure they are readible and in decent shape. The plates cant be all rusted out and bent up. They also check them to make sure they are not formatted like the current plates. If everything is good, they register the car with the plates you brought in. The year of the plates have match the model year of the car you are registering them to.

This is how they do it in Texas also. You can use them for antique or classic plates. Only difference is the antique is $52.00 for five years and the classic are $52.00 for one year.

Plus classic can be driveen anywhere and has to have a safety inspection.

Antique is limited mileage, 3000 miles a year but they dont check for it.

to verify if your plates are "clear" or able to be used, simply call CA DMV at 800-777-0133

FWIW, AZ has a similar law, EXCEPT BETTER

you can use ANY year AZ plate on ANY year vehicle

yup, take a 69 plate and put it on your new 2009 pickup

take an all copper plate from the 30's and attach it to your 1997 whatever

to verify if your plates are "clear" or able to be used, simply call CA DMV at 800-777-0133

FWIW, AZ has a similar law, EXCEPT BETTER

you can use ANY year AZ plate on ANY year vehicle

yup, take a 69 plate and put it on your new 2009 pickup

take an all copper plate from the 30's and attach it to your 1997 whatever

In CA you can't transfer plates except personalized. The DMV takes the position they own the plates and are letting you use them. By law (until it changes next year) if you walk into a DMV with a set of black plates they can ask you to hand them over if they want to...

With the law changing next June how can I verify that a certain black plate number is free to be used on my '69.

If the plate you have has not been registered and used for more than 4 years it should come back clear when you try to use it.

Here is what you do if you want 1963 to 69 black plates. You go to Ca DMV,
https://vrir.dmv.ca.gov/ipp2/initPers.do
and order the "Arts", or,"Kids" plate.. This is a 6 character plate beginning with 3 letters and ending with 3 numbers. Once your plates arrive, there are plate venders that can make you a vintage 1963 to 1969 plate using the characters off your palm tree plate.
I haven't done this. Someone I met at Hot August Nights told me they did.

I have seen plenty of them. No not legal.

Fred, you need the 1969 white sticker to proove they are the proper plates. The plate letters/numbers don't matter. The DMV will tell you if they are clear when you try to register them. Also there is a phone numer to call DMV and ask. 1-800-777-0133.

Hmmm. This is interesting. So if I call DMV and they say that the plate numbers I want are not in use then I could have plates made. Have them sent to my cousin in Oklahoma. He would in turn send them to me. And I could get them tranferred to my '69

It's a stretch, but could be done, What do you think?

this is how it works in Ky.; this is the regulation which allows the repro plate to be legal here, and this is the same wording I keep a copy of in the car, just in case I run into a "Barney" which doesn't know, or chooses to imply his own interpretation of the law.

KRS186.0435
Display of vintage Kentucky license plates on historic vehicle.
Any motor vehicle that meets the age requirements of a "historic vehicle" as used in KRS 186.043(2) and is registered in accordance with KRS 186.050 may display an authentic Kentucky license plate, twenty-five (25) years or older, or a reproduction of such a plate, if the current motor vehicle plate and the registration receipt are kept in the vehicle at all times.
Effective: June 26, 2007
History: Created 2007 Ky. Acts ch. 135, sec. 1, effective June 26, 2007.

this works for us, see, because the actual registration issued to the car is a valid number, and the car actually receives a set of "plates", which are permanent to the particular car, as long as it remains historic-registered.
I'm not required to register the car that way, but hey,, the fee this year is 69 cents..;)

in reading some of the posts on this topic, it appears the California~issued plate is "good" (in California), as long as the plate remains intact, or in service ,, irregardless of time ?
I suppose it's the same way here now as well, but years back,, the metal plate expired annually, and that was the legal end of 'em. most ended up tacked on a garage wall somewhere. :yes:
the only reason I used licenseplatestv.com was because the only 1969 KY tags I could find were truck farm tags.
..and Dave, that is exactly what I was thinking you might be able to do.

Hmmm. This is interesting. So if I call DMV and they say that the plate numbers I want are not in use then I could have plates made. Have them sent to my cousin in Oklahoma. He would in turn send them to me. And I could get them tranferred to my '69

It's a stretch, but could be done, What do you think?
No, it won't work.
You have to have the real original plates in good condition. The DMV will inspect them.
Do you think you can slip one by the DMV?
The reproduction license plates stick out worse than the reproduction trim tags!

yeah,, I'm afraid James is correct for you California-guys..
I found your regulation, and they've already made provisions to get you by the wallet..:(

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc5004_1.htm

When my car turned 30 nearly ten years ago I was able to buy 'PERM' registration. In Washington State it goes like this;
Walk into any license agency. Bring your stuff as normally done to renew. Ask for permanent registration if you wish. (optional) Pay $85 instead of $30. ($30 was the minimum for an old car. $85 was the fee for 'Perm' at the time) You can run your original plate ( I do). If I want to display a 1969 Tab I was told they are available from Clubs. Or I could choose to display NO tab. The $85 dollar fee is 'One Time'. No other fees ever. Our State thinks old cars are cool.

I have seen plenty of them. No not legal.


Lets say I order the "Arts" plate from Ca DMV, and request "YMJ775".
This happens to be the plate on my old 1969 Chevelle SS.
I rec my new plates.
I then order a novelty Black/Yellow plate, "YMJ 775" making sure the space is between the letters and numbers. I put on my stickers.
If I get pulled over by CHP, and they run my plate, do they look at the "type" of plate??:(
Inquiring minds need to know.

This is how they do it in Texas also. You can use them for antique or classic plates. Only difference is the antique is $52.00 for five years and the classic are $52.00 for one year.

Plus classic can be driveen anywhere and has to have a safety inspection.

Antique is limited mileage, 3000 miles a year but they dont check for it.


Alabama just recently started allowing the use of vintage tags to be registered on antique/classic/muscle cars. Alabama's process is similar to the one above described by Mike with a couple of exceptions/changes.

The cost to register a vintage plate to a qualified vehicle is $10.00. The vintage tag must be from the same county that the car is currently registered in,i.e. my county of DeKalb would have to have starting prefix of 28-xxxxx and it has to be of the same year as the vehicle it going to registered to(not allowed to have a '70 vintage plate on a '69 car). You are issued a sticker of registration that is to be displayed on the actual tag itself. The vintage tag has the same limitations as our antique tag(no mileage limitation) which in actuality is only valid for driving in parades and to and from car shows, but as Mike stated earlier, no one here is pulled over for that either. I currently have a mint condition '69 license plate from my county and I'm debating whether or not to register it to my Camaro as I currently have a personalized license plate that I grown quite attached to and would hate to lose it, only to want it back and not be able to get ity again.

Lets say I order the "Arts" plate from Ca DMV, and request "YMJ775".
This happens to be the plate on my old 1969 Chevelle SS.
I rec my new plates.
I then order a novelty Black/Yellow plate, "YMJ 775" making sure the space is between the letters and numbers. I put on my stickers.
If I get pulled over by CHP, and they run my plate, do they look at the "type" of plate??:(
Inquiring minds need to know.

This is the information age, I'm sure every detail is available but doubt every bit of it is given any attention by most it's available to.

Lets say I order the "Arts" plate from Ca DMV, and request "YMJ775".
This happens to be the plate on my old 1969 Chevelle SS.
I rec my new plates.
I then order a novelty Black/Yellow plate, "YMJ 775" making sure the space is between the letters and numbers. I put on my stickers.
If I get pulled over by CHP, and they run my plate, do they look at the "type" of plate??:(
Inquiring minds need to know.

DMV will not allow YMJ775. You can go online and try different combos.

I called CA's DMV this morning. Good news is my old plate numbers are NOT in the system.

Bad news is I couldn't order "Arts" plates with those numbers.

I'll just wait it see if folks are able to get their "repo" plates transfered when the time comes.

Dave

could you make this work for you somehow ?
http://www.licenseplates.tv/cat/Replica%20California%20License%20Plates%20from%201 963%20to%201968.htm

I found your regulation, and they've already made provisions to get you by the wallet..:(

It's not like Licenseplates.tv isn't gettin in your wallet, their !969 Illinois plates are $80 EACH. My personalized plates on my truck don't cost that much even with a $20 late fee.

Jeff

I called CA's DMV this morning. Good news is my old plate numbers are NOT in the system.

Bad news is I couldn't order "Arts" plates with those numbers.

I'll just wait it see if folks are able to get their "repo" plates transfered when the time comes.

Dave

What I have seen is a duplicate of personlized plates done with the "California" and tag wells stamped into the plates. Then they are painted the black/yellow. The bogus plates replace the CA personlized plates on the car. Not legal, but most of the time classic cars are not stopped if the driver is not breaking the law. The problem is back in 1969 personalized plates had yet to be offered.

Thats why I kept the originals....and put the car non-op until I'm done with it......that way, no issues!....but had the original plates when I got it transferred to me....

So really, for us Calif. people, all they are doing is letting you get new copies of the old black/yellow letter plates if you have the old ones in your posession (to be completely legal)?

alan

So really, for us Calif. people, all they are doing is letting you get new copies of the old black/yellow letter plates if you have the old ones in your posession (to be completely legal)?

alan

Not at all. Only original plates in good condition are allowed. Starting in July of '09 the YOM section is changed to include up to 1969 for cars and 1972 for pickups. Scroll down to see the amended section.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc5004_1.htm

Lets say I order the "Arts" plate from Ca DMV, and request "YMJ775".
This happens to be the plate on my old 1969 Chevelle SS.
I rec my new plates.
I then order a novelty Black/Yellow plate, "YMJ 775" making sure the space is between the letters and numbers. I put on my stickers.
If I get pulled over by CHP, and they run my plate, do they look at the "type" of plate??:(
Inquiring minds need to know.

When dispatch enters the plate number into the database, they don't care if there are spaces, hearts, stars, hands, etc. The only time the type of plate matters is for Specialty Equipment plates. Air compressors, wood chippers, cement mixers and the such. So YMJ775 is taken. Space or no space.

When dispatch enters the plate number into the database, they don't care if there are spaces, hearts, stars, hands, etc. The only time the type of plate matters is for Specialty Equipment plates. Air compressors, wood chippers, cement mixers and the such. So YMJ775 is taken. Space or no space.

YMJ775 is not taken, it's just not allowed... Go here and put it in and you will see it's available.

https://vrir.dmv.ca.gov/ipp2/initPers.do

Then try "ssfever" and you will see one that is taken...

YMJ 775 has already been issued, back in 68-69 right after YMJ 774 and just before YMJ 776, so it won't be issued again.

If someone has both original YMJ 775 plates, they can go register them when the law changes.

Dayton68Z28 once owned YMJ 775 but no longer has the plates or knows where they are. Now he want to get reproduction YMJ 775 plates made, take them to the DMV and pass them off as 40 year old original plates, and register them to his current vehicle.

Two problems with this are:
1. DMV may discover they are reproductions and deny his request or worse.
2. Someone else with the original YMJ 775 plates may attempt register them and find they are already reregistered. And what if that person has a documented history of owning the plates, even though they didn't show up in purged DMV records?

YMJ775 is not taken, it's just not allowed... Go here and put it in and you will see it's available.

https://vrir.dmv.ca.gov/ipp2/initPers.do

Then try "ssfever" and you will see one that is taken...


What I meant was that if someone takes YMJ775 and someone else wants YMJ 775, the DMV won't allow it. When we input plates into CLETS to check for registration or stolen, we omit the space anyhow.

What I meant was that if someone takes YMJ775 and someone else wants YMJ 775, the DMV won't allow it. When we input plates into CLETS to check for registration or stolen, we omit the space anyhow.

There is only 1 pair of plates with YMJ 775 so therefore DMV will not allow a second set to be registered. If the second person tries to register a bogus set of YMJ775 plates after the original are registered you will probably have them confiscated at the DMV office and have a CHP come and visit you.

if the Cali plates regulations are THAT stringent, and the plates are a "one time only registration and use", then it shouldn't be that big of a deal to trace an original plate.. might take a considerable amount of leg-work and common courtesy, but possible ??
there most likely won't be a computer-trail, but there's bound to be a paper-work trail ,, someway, somewhere, somehow..
:beers:

if the Cali plates regulations are THAT stringent, and the plates are a "one time only registration and use", then it shouldn't be that big of a deal to trace an original plate.. might take a considerable amount of leg-work and common courtesy, but possible ??
there most likely won't be a computer-trail, but there's bound to be a paper-work trail ,, someway, somewhere, somehow..
:beers:

In CA all plates other than personalized stay with the car for it's life time. If a car had 9 owners and was always registered it would have the same plates unless something happened. Currently CA DMV purges records every 4 years so any plate that went unregistered and didn't get non-op'd is out of the system after 4 years. I doubt the DMV here keeps any paper at all.

My '68 project came with the original black/yellow plates. I've shipped them off to be restored. I'm kinda bummed that now everyone will be able to get those vintage plates. Kinda takes the originality out of the actual old ones. Ok, I know, that's sour grapes. but, this is wine country. or should I say "whine" country??

My '68 project came with the original black/yellow plates. I've shipped them off to be restored. I'm kinda bummed that now everyone will be able to get those vintage plates. Kinda takes the originality out of the actual old ones. Ok, I know, that's sour grapes. but, this is wine country. or should I say "whine" country??

I understand, but I have a AAA estimate that told the 3rd owner to get new plates after some front end damage. The estimate shows my original black plate number. I feel OK about getting a nother set.

My '68 project came with the original black/yellow plates. I've shipped them off to be restored. I'm kinda bummed that now everyone will be able to get those vintage plates. Kinda takes the originality out of the actual old ones. Ok, I know, that's sour grapes. but, this is wine country. or should I say "whine" country??

Has your car been registered continuously with those plates or non-op'd for the years it wasn't registered? If not you can't use the plates until the new law goes into effect anyway.

I only half way understand the opposition to year of manufacture plates, if only cars sold new in CA had gotten black plates back in the day I would support not letting everyone that wants put them on a car. Think about how many cars were brought into CA from out of state back then and registered and got black plates. That leaves a big hole in the "it's an original CA car if it has black plates". In most other states it wouldn't be a large number but CA's population is made up of folks from other states that moved here. The 60's and 70's were some of CA's biggest population increase...

My '68 project came with the original black/yellow plates. I've shipped them off to be restored. I'm kinda bummed that now everyone will be able to get those vintage plates. Kinda takes the originality out of the actual old ones. Ok, I know, that's sour grapes. but, this is wine country. or should I say "whine" country??

Just curios how you know they are original?:confused: