Vehicle registration plates of California

The U.S. state of California first required its residents to register their motor vehicles in 1905. Registrants provided their own license plates for display until 1914, when the state began to issue plates.[1] Plates are currently issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

California
Current series
Slogandmv.ca.gov
Size12 in × 6 in
30 cm × 15 cm
MaterialAluminum
Serial format1ABC123
Introduced1994 (1994)
(current version, with website, introduced 2012)
Availability
Issued byCalifornia Department of Motor Vehicles
History
First issuedJanuary 1, 1914 (1914-01-01)
(pre-state plates and seals from 1905 to December 31, 1913)

Front and rear plates are required on most types of vehicle in California, including all passenger vehicles. On motorcycles and some other non-passenger types, only rear plates are required. On all vehicle types, registration validation stickers are also required, to be displayed on the rear plate.[2][3]

Since 1947, California license plates have been manufactured by inmates at Folsom State Prison.[4]

Passenger baseplates

Pre-state plates
Image Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
1905–13 Black on white; "CAL" at right 123456 1 to 122444 A one-time $2.00 fee is paid to register the vehicle, and the motorist must have a license plate made to hang from the rear of the vehicle (front plate also required starting in 1911). These plates were valid from the date of issuance until no longer needed for that car. The seal (disc) that the motorist received from the state with the registration number, along with the license plate(s), was supposed to remain with the vehicle upon transfer to a new owner, but that did not always happen. These early plates were valid through December 31, 1913.[5][6]

1914 to 1962

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles (except those for motorcycles) at 6 inches (15 cm) in height by 12 inches (30 cm) in width, with standardized mounting holes.[7] The 1955 (dated 1956) issue was the first California license plate that complied with these standards.

Image Dates issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
1914 white on red porcelain 123456 1 to 122375[8] Replaced all 1905–13 plates.
1915 black on yellow porcelain 123456 1 to 163557[9] Brass Seal: Hexagon
1916 blue on white porcelain 123456 1 to 234317[10] Validation tab:
1916 Bear (Front)
1916 Bear (Rear)
1917 234318[11] to 357299[12] Registered owners of plate numbers 1 to 234317 only received the Poppy tabs to place on their 1916 plates.
Validation tab: Poppy
1918 357300[13] to 485000[14] Registered owners of plate numbers 1 to 357299 only received the Bell tabs to place on their 1916 plates.
Validation tab: Bell
1919 485001[15] to 599705[16] Registered owners of plate numbers 1 to 485000 only received the Star tabs to place on their 1916 plates.
Validation tab: Star
1920 white on black 123-456 1 to 527-583
1921 black on yellow 123-456 1 to 651-640[17]
1922 blue on white 123456 1 to 2000; 70001 to 881909[18] Serials 2001 through 70000 reserved for non-passenger vehicles.
1923 white on black 123 456 1 to ?
1924 white on green 123-456 1 to ?
1925 black on yellow 123 456 1 to 30 00, 250 001 to 999 999 Serials 30 01 through 250 000 reserved for non-passenger vehicles.
A-12 345 A 1 to F-99 999
1926 white on blue 123 456 1 to 40 00, 320 001 to 999 999 Serials 40 01 through 320 000 reserved for non-passenger vehicles.
A-12 345 A-1 to G-99 999
1927 white on maroon 1-234-567 1 to 50-00;
400-001 to approximately 1-860-000		 First use of the full state name. Serials 50-01 through 400-000 reserved for non-passenger vehicles.
1928 yellow on blue 1-234-567 1 to 3-000;
450-001 to approximately 2-080-000[19]		 Serials 3-001 through 450-000 reserved for non-passenger vehicles.
1929 orange on black 1A-12-34 Coded by branch office Letters A through M were used in Northern California, and N through Z in Southern California.[19]
1930 black on orange 1A-12-34 Coded by branch office
1931 orange on black 1A 12 34 Coded by branch office
1932 black on orange 1A 12 34 Coded by branch office
1933 orange on black 1A 12 34 Coded by branch office
1934 black on orange 1A 12 34 Coded by branch office
1935 orange on black 1A 12 34 Coded by branch office
1936 black on orange 1A 12 34
10 A 123		 Coded by branch office
1937 orange on black 1A 12 34
A/A 12 34		 Coded by branch office
1938 black on yellow 1A 12 34
10 A 123		 Coded by branch office
1939 yellow on blue 1A 12 34
10 A 123		 Coded by branch office
1940 black on orange 1A 12 34
10 A 123		 Coded by branch office



1941–44 embossed yellow serial on black plate, "19 CALIFORNIA 41" on top 1A 23 45
12 A 345		 1A 1 to ? Citizens that got the 1941 base plate in 1941 got this tab for revalidation.
Validation tab for 1942:
Validation tab for 1943:

It was issued due to metal conservation for World War II.

Validation sticker for 1944:

It was issued due to metal conservation for World War II.

1945–46 white on black 1A 23 45
12 A 345		 1A 1 to ? Only rear plates issued.
Validation tab for 1946:
1947–50 black on yellow 1A 23 456
12A 3 456		 1A 1 to ? Validation tab for 1948:
Validation tab for 1949:
Validation tab for 1950:
1951–55 yellow on black 1A 23 456
12 A 3 456		 1A 1 to ? Validation tab for 1952:
Validation tab for 1953:
Validation tab for 1954:
Validation tab for 1955:
1956–62 black on yellow ABC 123 AAA 000 to approximately YRT 999 Validation sticker for 1957:
Validation sticker for 1958:
Validation sticker for 1959:
Validation sticker for 1960:
Validation sticker for 1961:
Validation sticker for 1962:

1963 to present

All plates from 1963 until present are still valid, provided they are displayed on the vehicle to which they were originally issued and the vehicle has been continuously registered. Along with the pre-1963 plates above, these plates can be used for the year-of-manufacture program, with appropriate year sticker.

The current 1ABC123 serial format was introduced in 1980. In this format, the ABC123 portion of the serial progresses from AAA000 to ZZZ999, before the leading digit advances by one and the progression begins again. All letters are used, although I, O and Q are only used as the second letter (third digit). Series 1SWD000 through 1TZZ999 and 1WAA000-1YZZ999 have not been issued, while others have been reserved for non-passenger and optional plates, such as 1ZZA through 1ZZZ and 3ZZA through 3ZZG for Livery plates, and 1UAA through 1VZZ for Lake Tahoe, Yosemite and Coastal Protection ("Whale Tail") plates.

It is expected that when 9ZZZ999 is reached, the next serial format will be 123ABC1, maintaining the DMV's practice since the 1960s of reversing serial formats at exhaustion. A California DMV spokesperson said that the current sequence used since 1979 will run out in 2027, with a replacement sequence still to be determined.[20]

Image Dates issued Design Slogan Serial format Serials issued Notes
1963–69 embossed gold on black, embossed state name and debossed "63" on top right sticker box none ABC 123 AAA 000 to ZZZ 999 The oldest still allowed on the road today, but some older license plates have been seen.
1969–80 embossed gold serial on blue, state name on top none 123 ABC 000 AAA to 999 ZZZ Monthly staggered registration introduced 1976. I, O and Q not used as first letters in the 123 ABC serial format. Narrower serial dies introduced at the beginning of the WLA series in late 1977, in preparation for the 1ABC123 format.[19]
1980–86 1ABC123 1AAA000 to 1SWC999
late 1982 – late 1987 blue on reflective white with graphic Art Deco state name The Golden State 2ABC123 2AAA000 to 2GPZ999 Extra-cost optional plate until 1987, when it briefly became the standard passenger base after the 1969 blue base was discontinued. Awarded "Plate of the Year" for best new license plate of 1983 by the Automobile License Plate Collectors Association, the first and, to date, only time California has been so honored.
late 1987 – early 1994 blue on reflective white with embossed red state name none 1ABC123 2GQA000 to 3FMG999 No serials (3FMH000 to 3FZZ999) issued
early 1994 – early 1998 blue on reflective white with graphic red state name none 3ABC123 3GAA000 to 3XZZ999 (Serials 3YAA000-3ZYZ999 unissued and 3ZZA-3ZZG livery only) The state name was modified twice to increase its size (the third and largest version is shown).
early 1998 – late 2000 Sesquicentennial - 150 Years 4ABC123 4AAA000 to 4NOZ999
late 2000 – mid 2012 none 1ABC123 4NPA000 to 6TPV999
early 2012 – present dmv.ca.gov 6TPW000 to 9JSZ003 (unverified-as of October 15, 2023)[21]

Non-passenger plates
Image Type First issued Serial format Serials issued Notes
Amateur Radio FCC call sign Issued to holders of FCC amateur radio station licenses, upon request.
Antique Motorcycle ANTIQUE M/C 123 Available upon request for any motorcycle manufactured in 1942 or before.
Apportioned 1982 AP12345 AP00001 to approximately BP10000
1987 BP30001 to CP99999; SP00001 to approximately VP70000
2011 VP70001 to YP82284 (as of May 13, 2023)
Citizens Band ABC1234 Were issued upon request for holders of FCC citizens band radio licenses until 1983. Plate numbers and letters represent the call letters assigned by the FCC.
Commercial 1963 A 12 345 A 10 000 to V 99 999
1967 12 345 A 10 000 A to 99 999 J
1969 00 000 K to 99 999 Z
1976 1A12345 1A00000 to 2Y05999 (serials 2Y06000-2Z99999 unissued)
late 1982 to late 1986 (optional); early 1987 to late 1987 (standard) 3A00000 to 3P59999
late 1987 3P60000 to 5A99999
1994 5B00000 to 5S99999
1998 5T00000 to 6J99999 With "Sesquicentennial - 150 Years" slogan.
2001 6K00000 to 8Z99999 Serials 9A00000 through 9Z99999 reserved for tractor units.
2010 12345A1 00000A1 to 99999E1
2012 00000F1 to 08678T3 (unverified-as of June 4, 2023)[21] With "dmv.ca.gov" slogan.
Disabled Person 1995 12345D/P 00001D/P to 99999D/P Before 1995, California issued only placards which were displayed on the dashboard when parking.
late 1990s D/P12345 D/P00001 to D/P99999
early 2000s D/PA1234 D/PA0001 to D/PZ9999
2006 1234AD/P 0001AD/P to 9999ZD/P
2011 D/P123AB D/P001AA to D/P999ZZ
2019 AB123D/P AA001D/P to KZ253D/P (as of September 24, 2022)[21]
Disabled Person – Motorcycle 1234D/P
12D/P34
Disabled Veteran early 1987 DV12345 DV00000-DV99999
1994 12345D/V 00001D/V to 90680D/V (as of January 21, 2023)[21]
Exempt – Local 1963 E123456 E100000-E999999 Black plate with yellow numbering consisting of letter E in octagon and 6-digit number for district-, city- and county-owned vehicles
1969 E123456 E100000-E999999 Blue plate with yellow numbering consisting of letter E in octagon and 6-digit number for district-, city- and county-owned vehicles
early 1987 E123456 E100000-E999999 White plate with Golden State design and blue numbering consisting of letter E in octagon and 6-digit number for district-, city- and county-owned vehicles
late 1987 E123456 E100000-E999999 White plate with blue numbering consisting of letter E in octagon and 6-digit number for district-, city- and county-owned vehicles. "California" was either in red block or red script font. For "E0....." plate, see below
Exempt – State 1963 E12345 E00000-E99999 Black plate with yellow numbering consisting of letter E in diamond and 5-digit number for state-owned vehicles
1969 E12345 E00000-E99999 Blue plate with yellow numbering consisting of letter E in diamond and 5-digit number for state-owned vehicles
early 1987 E123456 E000000-E999999 White plate with Golden State design and blue numbering consisting of letter E in diamond and 6-digit number for state-owned vehicles.
late 1987 E123456 E000000-E999999 White plate with blue numbering consisting of letter E in diamond and 6-digit number for state-owned vehicles. "California" was either in red block or red script font.
Exempt 1998 1234567 1000001 to 1645977 (as of March 2, 2023)[21] Issued to all exempt vehicles, regardless of ownership. "CA EXEMPT" screened at top.

Some plates were issued as "E0....." due to a surplus of prestamped octagon "E" plates. On these plates the "E" was to be considered "1". They still had "California" in script font.

Exempt - Motorcycle 1998 3123456 3000001 to 3013128 (as of June 1, 2022)
Foreign Organization FOREIGN ORGANIZATION 123
Historical Vehicle 1959 HISTORICAL VEHICLE 123A ? to 9999
001A to 999Z
A001 to A034 (as of February 12, 2022)		 Available upon request for any vehicle manufactured after 1922 that is at least 25 years old.
Honorary Consul 1982 HON CONSUL CORPS 1234 Issued to Honorary Consuls upon request.
1988
Horseless Carriage 1984 HORSELESS CARRIAGE 1234 Available upon request for any vehicle manufactured in 1922 or before, or for motor vehicles with 16 or more cylinders manufactured prior to 1965.
Livery 1ABC123 1ZZA000 to 1ZZZ999; 3ZZA000 to 3ZZG999[21] "LIVERY" screened at bottom. Issued to limos and fleet vehicles until program eliminated by Senate Bill 611 on September 30, 2014. Plates remain valid but cannot be replaced or reassigned.
Moped C123456 C000001 to C079456 (as of Jul 26, 2021)
Motorcycle 1969 1A1234 1A0000 to 9Z9999 Letter progresses before prefix number (11A–11Z, 12A–12Z, etc.). I, O and Q not used.[22]
1983 12A1234 11A0000 to 26F8112 (as of June 5, 2023)
Permanent Trailer 2001 4AB1234 4AA1000 to 4VP4963 (as of July 29, 2023) "California Perm Trailer" across top.
Press Photographer 1987 P/P 1234
2012
Prorate Plate N/A No longer in circulation. Used by interstate fleets to display apportioned stickers. California's stickers are placed in the third well from the top on the left side.

 Special Equipment 1969 S/E123456 ? to S/E740451 (as of February 22, 2022) Motorcycle-sized. Registration lasts for five years.
1985

 Public Service (state representative) P/S12345
Temporary 2019[23][24][25] AB12C12[26] AA00A00 to CZ06S16 (as of October 19, 2023)[21]
Tournament of Roses[27] 1998 TOFR123 TOFR1 to TOFR112 (as of December 1, 2022) Used on parade vehicles during the Tournament of Roses parade.
Trailer 1963 AB 1234 AA 1000 to HV 9999 No serials (HW 0000 to HW 9999) issued
1971 HX 1000 to TZ 9999 The UA-YX series was reserved for commercial weight fee trailers. It was issued on the gold-on-blue base from 1971 to 1983.
1983 1AB1234 1AA1000 to approximately 1BJ9999
1987 1BP1000 to approximately 1EU9999
1994 1FC1000 to 1NW1866 (as of Jul 24, 2022)[21] The 1UA-1YX series is reserved for commercial weight fee trailers. Its issue began on the Golden State base in 1983 and continued onto the red-on-white "lipstick" base in use today. The highest spotted serial in this series is 1XA2820 (as of February 28, 2022). The series is expected to reach 1YX8000. The 1ZA-1ZW series is assigned to certain specialty trailers (Yosemite, Lake Tahoe, Protect our Ocean and our Coast, etc.) 1YY-1YZ and 1ZX-1ZZ will be of unknown use. These number formatted plates have also been issued to special exempted vehicles, such as full size, retitled school buses that have been converted to recreational vehicles. These vehicles are exempt from the California Air Resources Board 14001 GVWR rules.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Plate Assigned by the DMV or CHP when a number is removed, destroyed, or obliterated.

Occupational plates

On each occupational plate type, the full-size number is constant for each distributing entity, while the small suffix (or prefix on the Special Equipment Dealer/Manufacturer plate) varies. Only rear plates are required for each type.

Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
Dealer 1969 DEALER 1234 1/2/A
early 1987 D/L/R 12345 1/2/A
late 1987 D/L/R 12345 1/2/A
1994 D/L/R 12345 1/2/A
Dismantler D/S/M 1234 1/2/A
Manufacturer M/F/G 1234 1/2/A
New Vehicle Distributor D/S/T 1234 1/2/A
Remanufacturer R/M/F 1234 1/2/A
Special Equipment Dealer DLR 1A 12345 Motorcycle-sized.
Special Equipment Manufacturer 1A MFG 1234 Motorcycle-sized.
Transporter T/R/N 1234 1/2/A

Legislative plates
Image Type First issued Serial format Notes
Assembly Member A 12 Issued to current and retired members of the California State Assembly. The number in the serial corresponds to the district represented by the Assembly member. A small 'A' by the number indicates a second vehicle owned by the Assembly member. A small 'R' indicates a retired Assembly member, and a small '1' after the small 'R' indicates a second vehicle owned by the retired Assembly member.
Representative U.S. CONGRESS 1 Issued to current U.S. representatives. A small 'A' by the number indicates a second vehicle owned by the representative, a small 'B' indicates a third vehicle, and so on.
State Senator S 12 Issued to current and retired members of the California State Senate. The number in the serial corresponds to the district represented by the senator. A small 'S' by the number indicates a second vehicle owned by the senator. A small 'R' indicates a retired senator, and a small '1' after the small 'R' indicates a second vehicle owned by the retired senator.
U.S. Senator UNITED STATES SENATE 1 Issued to current U.S. senators. A small 'A' by the number indicates a second vehicle owned by the U.S. Senator, a small 'B' indicates a third vehicle, and so on.

Stickers
Image Type First issued Notes
Emissions controlled OHV Assigned to motor vehicles that are used on roads not publicly maintained (e.g. in State Parks and National Forests). The green sticker program existed as a means of generating revenue for the maintenance of state OHV areas.
Uncontrolled OHV 1999 Emissions controlled OHVs are granted Green Stickers while uncontrolled OHVs such as motocross and closed-course off-road racebikes are granted Red Stickers for seasonal use on public lands.

Optional types (specialty plates)
Image Type First issued Design Serial format Serials issued Notes
1984 Olympics—Motorcycle 1984 L/A12345
U/S12345		 L/A00000 to present Issued until December 31, 1984. Duplicates were available until December 31, 1989. No longer issued, but still revalidated.
1984 Olympics—Passenger 1984 L/A12345
U/S12345		 L/A00000 to present Issued until December 31, 1984. Duplicates were available until December 31, 1989. No longer issued, but still revalidated.
Agriculture 2013 123ABC
A123B0		 ? to A884R0 (as of November 4, 2022)[21] White plate with artwork of the sun screened at left and "Agriculture" screened at bottom.
Arts Council 1994 ABC123
123ABC
A123B0		 ? to A783M0 (as of February 28, 2023)[21]

Using previously unused letter blocks.

 "Coastline" design by Wayne Thiebaud.[28][29]
Bill of Rights 1990 Blue on white with red Liberty Bell graphic 1234 US 0001 US to 0947 US (as of Jul 8, 2013)[21] Commemorated the 200th anniversary of the Bill's ratification.
Breast Cancer Awareness 2017 B123A1 ? Pink plate with pink ribbon screened at left and "Early Detection Saves Lives" screened at bottom.
California Museums (Snoopy) 2016 S123A0 ? White plate with Peanuts character Snoopy screened at left and "museums are for everyone" screened at bottom.
Children's Trust Fund ABC123
A123B0		 Using previously unused letter blocks. An embossed heart, hand, star, or plus sign appears to the left of the serial, or can be incorporated into "vanity" numbers.
Congressional Medal of Honor 84 —Passenger 1984 12 ? Given to Medal of Honor recipients.
Congressional Medal of Honor 93 —Passenger 1993 12 ? Given to Medal of Honor recipients.
Firefighter—Motorcycle 00A12 00A01 to ?
Firefighter—Passenger 1995 ABC123
A123B0		 ? to A974H0 (as of September 12, 2023)[21]

Using previously unused letter blocks.

 Only active or retired firefighter can apply for this type of plate. Logo of a firefighter on a blazing background.

 Gold Star Family —Passenger 2011 123ABC ? to 782HUY (as of Dec 20, 2014)[21]

Using previously unused letter blocks.

 Given to family of fallen soldiers while in the line of duty.
Lake Tahoe Version 1 - Commercial 1996 2Z12345 2Z35000 to 2Z37999 No longer issued but still revalidated.
Lake Tahoe Version 1 - Passenger 1996 1UAB123 1UEA000 to 1UE???? No longer issued but still revalidated.
Lake Tahoe Version 2 - Commercial 2011 2Z12345 2Z38000 to 2Z40409 (as of November 29, 2021) Using previously unused letter blocks.
Lake Tahoe Version 2 - Passenger 2011 1UAB123 1UE???? to 1UEZ578 (as of September 11, 2022)[21] Using previously unused letter blocks.

 Legacy 2015 Gold on reflective black A123B4 B001A0 to G724S1 (as of March 2, 2023)[21] In the style of the 1963–69 passenger plate. 'S123A0' series of plates are reserved for California Museums (Snoopy) plate, shown above. C001A1 came after X999Z0, meaning the 'Y123A0' and 'Z123A0' series of plates were skipped. 'B123A1' series of plates are reserved for Breast Cancer Awareness plate, shown above. The same series (A123B4) is used on both passenger and motorcycle plates. C123A0 is reserved for motorcycles.[21] A123A0 is reserved for Agriculture and Arts Council.[21] The cycle went B001A0, B002A0, B003A0, ..., B998A0, B999A0, B001B0, B002B0, …, D001A0, D002A0, …, C001A1, and on and on and on.[21] Last will probably be X999Z9.
Legion of Valor—Passenger Blue on white LEGION OF VALOR 123 ? to LEGION OF VALOR 274 (as of Sep 5, 2022)[21] Sticker placed at right denoting the decoration held by the registrant: Medal of Honor (Army, Navy or Air Force), Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Air Force Cross.
Olympic Training Center Version 1 1990 C/A12345
U/S12345		 ? No longer issued, but still revalidated.
Olympic Training Center Version 2 1999 C/A12345
U/S12345		 ? No longer issued, but still revalidated.
Olympic Training Center Version 3 2000 C/A12345
U/S12345		 ?
Pearl Harbor Survivor —Passenger Blue on white; "PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR" in blue at left 1234 ? to 3637 (as of Sep 5, 2022)[21] Only issued to survivors of the Attack on Pearl Harbor. May be retained on a vehicle owned by a surviving spouse.[30]
Pet Lover 2012 123ABC ? to 321END (as of October 9, 2022)[21] White plate with artwork from international actor, artist, and pet lover Pierce Brosnan screened at left and "Spay & Neuter Saves Lives" screened at bottom.
Protect Our Coast & Ocean Version 1 - Commercial 1997 2Z12345 2Z50000 to 2Z5???? No longer issued, but still revalidated.
Protect Our Coast & Ocean Version 1 - Passenger 1997 1VAB123 1VAA000 to 1VAZ999; 1VDA000 to 1VDY999 No longer issued, but still revalidated.
Protect Our Coast & Ocean Version 2 – Commercial 2011 2Z12345 2Z5???? to 2Z58130 (as of Sep 5, 2022)
Protect Our Coast & Ocean Version 2 – Passenger 2011 1VAB123 1VDZ000 to 1VES775 (as of August 3, 2023)
Purple Heart 1234PH 0001PH to 9999PH
PH1234 PH0001 to PH9999
12PH34 00PH01 to 38PH43 (as of Jun 23, 2022)[21]
Purple Heart—Motorcycle 1234PH
PH1234
12PH34
POW Ex-Prisoner of War —Motorcycle POW1234
POW Ex-Prisoner of War 93 —Passenger 1993 POW1234
POW Ex-Prisoner of War 00 —Passenger 2000 POW1234 ? to POW7428 (as of Sep 5, 2022)[21]
Veteran Version 1 1994 ABC123
123ABC		 ? to F105IP (unverified, as of Nov 3, 2014)[21] No longer being issued.
Veteran Version 2 2012 123ABC
A123B0		 ? to A653E0 (as of Jun 4, 2022)[21]

Using previously unused letter blocks.
We Will Never Forget 2002 1234MA 0001MA to 2829MB (as of July 30, 2022)
University of California, Los Angeles 1994 ABC123 ? to APA999 (as of December 29, 2022)[21]

Using previously unused letter blocks.
Yosemite National Park - Commercial 1993 2Z12345 2Z00001 to 2Z10303 (as of August 3, 2023)
Yosemite National Park - Passenger 1993 1UAB123 1UAA000 to 1UBP641 (as of August 3, 2023)

See the Passenger Baseplates section above for the 1982–87 "Golden State" plate, which was briefly issued as the standard passenger base.

Year-of-manufacture plates
A California car license plate saying ANRCHST (a vanity plate–speak form of anarchist) from 2006

The use of year-of-manufacture (YOM) plates is authorized by Section 5004.1 of the California Motor Vehicle Code. It is a law that allows vintage cars to be registered to use vintage license plates. Any officially manufactured California license plates which were produced prior to 1963 can be used on a currently registered vehicle or trailer of a corresponding model year. If used on the original plate, a sticker or metal tab that corresponds to the year of the vehicle is required.

In July 2009, California extended its YOM program to include passenger vehicles from 1963 to 1969, and commercial vehicles (pick-ups, etc.) through 1972. Any black-and-gold plate from this era may be used on these vehicles, as long as they are "clear" with the DMV (i.e., not used, reported stolen, or any records found, for the last 10 years). A valid sticker must be attached to the plate corresponding to the year of the vehicle that is to be registered.

As of January 2014, in very rare cases, California has extended custom license plates to allow more than seven digits, but not to exceed nine characters. However, most plates are limited to seven-and-a-half characters (the half-character is a half-space).

In August 2016, California extended the year-of-manufacture license plate program to include vehicles through the 1980 model year.[31]

California Legacy License Plate program

The California Legacy License Plate program offers vehicle owners the opportunity to purchase replicas of California license plates similar to those issued in the 1960s. California proposed issuing plates similar to those of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The original plan was to restrict the plate colors to what would have been issued to the vehicle when purchased new. After a few months, the program was opened to all model years. Only the 1960s (gold on black) plate reached the required 7,500 minimum orders before January 1, 2015. The 1950s (black on gold) and 1970s (gold on blue) plates did not achieve the required 7,500 minimum orders.[32] The plates were issued from late spring through summer 2015 and, as of 2021, are still available for order from the DMV website. Additional time is required for personalized plates.[33][34]

Temporary license plates
2021 California temporary license plate for a Ferrari Roma.

Prior to 2019, California was the last U.S. state to not require the display of any form of temporary license plate on new vehicles. New motor vehicle dealers were still required to electronically report sales of new vehicles to the DMV,[35][36] but they were only required to print out a DMV report-of-sale form on regular paper at the time of sale.[23] The dealer was then only required to attach the DMV report-of-sale form to the inside of the car windshield in the lower right corner (from the driver's perspective).[37] Before 2019, it was common for a newly purchased vehicle to be driven around for a month (or more) with nothing but a dealer's advertisement or logo on paper plate inserts in the mounting brackets where the owner was supposed to promptly install front and rear license plates when they arrived in the mail from the DMV.

California's lack of a temporary license plate requirement was mocked as the "Steve Jobs loophole," due to the Apple founder's habit of continuously signing a series of six-month leases of Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMGs on a rolling basis for the specific purpose of avoiding the state requirement of having to install permanent license plates on his cars.[38] The DMV report-of-sale forms were printed in regular type not intended to be read at a distance, meaning that it was legible only to persons leaning closely over the windshield when the car was standing still. This made the new vehicle untraceable through casual visual observation by passerby (especially for the common car models and colors), as well as automated means such as license-plate reading systems, red light cameras, and automatic number plate recognition. Thus, drivers of newly purchased vehicles who deliberately failed to carry a FasTrak electronic toll collection transponder could evade toll collection (on tolled Express Lanes, toll bridges, and toll roads where a transponder system was used instead of toll booths), causing the state to lose $15–19 million per year. Vehicle owners who failed to immediately attach permanent metal license plates upon receipt might eventually get cited one way or another for that infraction, but there was no way at that point to retroactively link such vehicle owners to unpaid tolls.[23] This loophole was also deliberately exploited by criminals, who knew that a car with dealer paper inserts was untraceable and in and of itself would not raise suspicion.[39]

The hit-and-run death of a pedestrian who was struck by an unidentifiable car with dealer paper inserts sparked the enactment of new legislation in 2016 to require temporary license plates in California beginning in 2019.[23][24][25] The DMV's reporting system was modified to enable dealers to print out temporary license plates on special paper,[36] and dealers are now required to attach such temporary paper plates to a vehicle that does not already have license plates. The series that the temporary license plates use is AB12C34, and it will apply to all newly purchased vehicles in the state of California starting in 2019.[26]

References
  1. Taylor, Eric Robert. "California Archive - Part 1". PorcelainPlates.net. Retrieved December 6, 2015.
  2. "Law section".
  3. "Law section".
  4. California Prison Industrial Authority. "License Plates".
  5. Minard, Jeff (February 2000). "California, License Plates of the Golden State". The ALPCA Register. Vol. 52, no. 3. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. p. 7.
  6. Minard, Jeff (June 2006). "We're All Ears! California's Automobile Club Pre-States". Plates. Vol. 62, no. 5. Automobile License Plate Collectors Association. pp. 24–30.
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