Legally Get A Black Plate For Your FFR

[2yrproject]

Looks like California FFR owners will be able to get a black plate with yellow lettering for their FFR starting next year after the signing into law of AB 1658.


Calif. Assemblyman Gatto’s Bill to Bring Back Vintage License Plates signed by Gov. Brown

Edited by Valerie Gotten
published Fri, 28 Sep 2012 – 17:02:41 -0700 PDTNo Comment.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Assembly Bill (AB) 1658, by Assemblyman Mike Gatto (D–Los Angeles) was signed today by Governor Brown, establishing the California Legacy License Plate Program. The program will allow car enthusiasts to apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for one of three iconic California license plate designs – the familiar “yellow with black lettering,” “black with yellow lettering” and “blue with yellow lettering” – that adorned vehicles during the heyday of classic cars.

“California Government doesn’t do much for the thousands of car enthusiasts up and down the state,” said Gatto. “AB 1658 will enable the backyard auto restorer, the nostalgic, or the owner of a brand-new retro-styled automobile to choose a license plate that best matches the look of their car while making a little money for the state too.”

AB 1658 specifies that the DMV will issue any one of the vintage plates once 7,500 paid applications for that design have been received statewide. Further, it stipulates that any monies remaining after the DMV recuperates its administrative costs be placed into other DMV-funded programs, which with recent budget cuts, have been short on funds. California motorists will be able to apply to DMV for these license plates starting January 1, 2013 when the new law goes into effect. The measure has received an enthusiastic response so far, with many people contacting the Assemblyman’s office asking when and where they can apply.

“This is an easy way for the state to make life a little more enjoyable for those of us who appreciate the classic era of automobile design,” said Gatto. “I look forward to continuing working with the California car clubs and car enthusiasts who have been so supportive in passing this bill. We are ready to start the drive to reach 7,500 orders!”

Mike Gatto represents the cities of Burbank, Glendale, and parts of Los Angeles, including Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and Atwater Village. He is the Chairman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

The 1984-88 Golden State "sunset" plate is not part of the program.

SECTION 1.
Section 5004.3 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

5004.3.
(a) Subject to subdivision (c), the department shall establish the California Legacy License Plate Program and create and issue a series of specialized license plates known as California Legacy License Plates that replicate the look of California license plates from the state’s past. The design of the plates shall be identical, to the extent the department determines it to be reasonably feasible under current manufacturing processes, to a regular license plate, except as provided in subdivision (b).
(b) The California Legacy License Plates shall consist of one or more of the following designs:

(1) Yellow background with black lettering per the appearance of California license plates issued by the department from 1956 to 1962, inclusive.

(2) Black background with yellow lettering per the appearance of California license plates issued by the department from 1965 to 1968, inclusive.

(3) Blue background with yellow lettering per the appearance of California license plates issued by the department from 1969 to 1986, inclusive.

(c) In addition to the regular fees for an original registration or renewal of registration, the following additional fees shall be paid for the issuance, renewal, or transfer of the specialized license plates:

(1) Fifty dollars ($50) for the original issuance of the plates.

(2) Forty dollars ($40) for a renewal of registration with the plates.

(3) Fifteen dollars ($15) for transfer of the plates to another vehicle.

(4) Thirty-five dollars ($35) for each substitute replacement plate.

(d) The department shall not issue California Legacy License Plates for a vehicle that is exempt from the payment of registration fees pursuant to Section 9101 or 9103.

(e) (1) The department shall not establish the California Legacy License Plate Program until the department has received not less than 7,500 paid applications for plates. The department shall collect and hold applications for the plates. The department shall not issue a specialized license plate until it has received not less than 7,500 paid applications for any one of the particular plates within the time period prescribed in this section.

(2) The department shall have until January 1, 2015, to receive the required number of applications. If, after that date, 7,500 paid applications have not been received for any one of the three plates described in subdivision (b), the department shall immediately refund to all applicants all fees or deposits that have been collected.

(f) (1) Upon a determination by the department that there are sufficient funds for the program, moneys shall be available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the department for the necessary administrative costs of establishing the California Legacy License Plate Program.

(2) After deducting its administrative costs under this subdivision, the department shall deposit any additional revenue derived from the issuance, renewal, transfer, and substitution of the specialized license plates into the California Environmental License Plate Fund, for appropriation by the Legislature pursuant to existing law.

[2FAST4U]

Interesting. I have mixed feelings about this

[The Italian]

I have friends with these GREY market plates and they have had no problems.
I can appreciate this guy doing something for us ,but we have bigger problems.

The fees ,and if you have custom plates already are just too much money for a plate. I would still go the grey market.
and my car is blue so the yellow black is an eyesore
It would be great for an old chevy or ford rod and I really think those guys would look down on the extra cost while having custom plates now.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by The Italian

I have friends with these GREY market plates and they have had no problems.
I can appreciate this guy doing something for us ,but we have bigger problems.

The fees ,and if you have custom plates already are just too much money for a plate. I would still go the grey market.
and my car is blue so the yellow black is an eyesore
It would be great for an old chevy or ford rod and I really think those guys would look down on the extra cost while having custom plates now.

The old cars can get YOM (Year of Manufacture) plates which are not allowed on replica vehicles. If you have taken your issued plates (white with blue letter/numbers) and painted them or are running plates that you got from someplace other then CA-DMV, you are running the risk of having the plates seized by law enforcement and issued a citation for any one of several sections of the Vehicle Code (a few of them are felonies.)

We are all adults and have a personal level of risk that we are comfortable with. Be informed and take only that amount of risk that you are able to afford.

Ray

[h82crash]

Originally Posted by The Italian

I have friends with these GREY market plates and they have had no problems.
I can appreciate this guy doing something for us ,but we have bigger problems.

Don't think he did it for us, those fees are steep. Just another creative way to increase revenue. Not sure I'll add to the states coffers this way.

[johntennyson]

I might...

...but I'm just not sure that the yellow-on-blue era ('70 - '84) really qualifies as the "heyday of classic cars!"

Maybe if you're really into deLoreans. Or have a really cherry Chevy Citation X-11. Or an Audi 100LS. Or if your Cobra is a Mustang II. Or a --had enough?

[Ray]

Originally Posted by h82crash

Don't think he did it for us, those fees are steep. Just another creative way to increase revenue. Not sure I'll add to the states coffers this way.

The fees for these plates look really close to the fees that are already being charged for the "Vanity" or personalized plates already being issued.

Vehicle Registration and Vessel Fees

In California, your motor vehicle fees (registration) does not "add to the States coffers." They go directly into the DMV fund. This fund pays for DMV as well as the entire operating budget of the CHP. Additionally, a good portion of the registration fee is returned to the cities and counties. You won't be funding welfare, the legislature etc. by purchasing one of these plates.

Ray

[Rich A]

Originally Posted by johntennyson

I might...

...but I'm just not sure that the yellow-on-blue era ('70 - '84) really qualifies as the "heyday of classic cars!"

Maybe if you're really into deLoreans. Or have a really cherry Chevy Citation X-11. Or an Audi 100LS. Or if your Cobra is a Mustang II. Or a --had enough?

. Or a --Shebly Dodge Daytona, What a POS.

[David Hodgkins]

I'm definitely getting one of these. When will the DMV be able to take the application?

[2yrproject]

After Jan 1st. "California motorists will be able to apply to DMV for these license plates starting January 1, 2013 when the new law goes into effect."

[SCracer]

I'm in...

i think the black plates look cool!

[KEITH T.]

I would rather they change the year of smog!

[QSL]

if we can get these for our cars, i am totally in!

[h82crash]

Originally Posted by Ray

The fees for these plates look really close to the fees that are already being charged for the "Vanity" or personalized plates already being issued.

Vehicle Registration and Vessel Fees

In California, your motor vehicle fees (registration) does not "add to the States coffers." They go directly into the DMV fund. This fund pays for DMV as well as the entire operating budget of the CHP. Additionally, a good portion of the registration fee is returned to the cities and counties. You won't be funding welfare, the legislature etc. by purchasing one of these plates.

Ray

I know, Ray. Sorry, it more like a figure of speech. That's why you guys like 4000(a)(1) coupons so much, and I have plain old plates.

[HealeyRick]

I'm assuming these plates will be reflectorized? And new plates in California have 7 characters, will these as well?

[h82crash]

Originally Posted by HealeyRick

I'm assuming these plates will be reflectorized? And new plates in California have 7 characters, will these as well?

So, pay an additional $50 for the Vanity plate and choose a 3 letter, 3 number plate. Easy-peasy. Not sure how they'll make black reflectorized.

I admit, I want one, I really do. Again, why does it cost extra?

[xlr8or]

The way I hear it they will start taking applications on Jan 1, 2013 and production won't begin until they have orders for 7500 plates.

[ehansen007]

Originally Posted by johntennyson

I might...

...but I'm just not sure that the yellow-on-blue era ('70 - '84) really qualifies as the "heyday of classic cars!"

Maybe if you're really into deLoreans. Or have a really cherry Chevy Citation X-11. Or an Audi 100LS. Or if your Cobra is a Mustang II. Or a --had enough?

Dude, too funny. I got my license plate from Custom Front License Plates, Personalized Vanity Auto Plate -LICENSEPLATES.TV. Never had a problem!

[David Hodgkins]

Originally Posted by xlr8or

The way I hear it they will start taking applications on Jan 1, 2013 and production won't begin until they have orders for 7500 plates.

Yeah, and I read it's 7500 for each design of plate.

California hopes to make some money issuing vintage plates - latimes.com

[2FAST4U]

Originally Posted by ehansen007

Dude, too funny. I got my license plate from Custom Front License Plates, Personalized Vanity Auto Plate -LICENSEPLATES.TV. Never had a problem!

But if you get stopped, they're illegal.

[QSL]

Originally Posted by ehansen007

Dude, too funny. I got my license plate from Custom Front License Plates, Personalized Vanity Auto Plate -LICENSEPLATES.TV. Never had a problem!

i dont see ANY california plates on there.

[Nels Prario]

Another way to grab a buck, nothing more!

[Marty Prario]

I donated to Jerry Browns campaign and I received my plates early, NOT!!!!

[NiceGuyEddie]

CA Legacy Plates

????

they need to get 7,500 pre-orders before January 2015 to even make them.

so there is still a two year wait, and then 2 1/2 years to get it.

and they are going to hold our $50 for two years?

[Mikey Likes It!]

I was told by DMV that the car must be the year of the plate. A replica does not qualify.....

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Mikey Likes It!

I was told by DMV that the car must be the year of the plate. A replica does not qualify.....

That's for YOM (year of manufacture) plates.

Ray

[Mick]

I sent my money today. Can't wait.

[CHOTIS BILL]

A couple of weeks ago I saw a black plate on a new Mustang in Chatsworth. It looked out of place.

Bill Lomenick

[NiceGuyEddie]

wow - how did they get that black plate on a new Mustang?

i agree, and i say my new California plate is just as 'out of place' on my Cobra.

i am very happy the State is thinking of us. i am very happy you can get a black plate, personalized, and "use existing" but i am going to wait.

i just don't like the idea of the State holding my $50 for two years.

it's been debated on other threads, but my registration says 1965, so i don't think i will have a problem as far as "replica" when the time comes.

we will see

[NiceGuyEddie]

does anybody know that place in Orange County that makes black plates? they had a basic website. i can't find it.

i'm with Mike The Itallian... i may go grey market.

the way i sees it, a black plate with the correct Registration stickers on them and keeping my regular plate in the trunk is right up there with no front plate at all, no backup lights, and no windshield wipers. several of my best friends are cops and they said it's the least of my worries.