Re: Buying antique license plates for use in CA

Posted by 19482255 On 2014/11/16 15:52:14

So here's where I am in the process:

Purchased a pair of identical 1948 red-on-aluminum metal 'corners' which CA Year of Manufacture Program requires on BOTH the front and back of the 1947-issue CA plates (yellow plate, black characters) to use on my '48 2255.

I am eyeing a sweet pair of 1947 CA plates with a nice number configuration. The plates are in excellent shape.

I understand that for one to register antique plates to their car, the plates must be "DMV Clear" or in DMV lingo they must "have no record of these plates in our system".

The problem that I foresee is that the owner informed they HAD the plates registered to their own car (but are no longer). Seems like in this case, based on prior registration, there would be a record of these plates in the CA DMV system, and if there is, I WOULD NOT be able to use them.

That is, unless CA allows transfer of Special Interest or YOM Program plates between vehicles. But I cannot find any information online, after lengthy Googling on the subject.

Does anyone have any knowledge, experience or insight? I am trying to avoid a potentially costly mistake. After all my babbling about "$500-$1000 will not happen," what I'm considering would cost me in that range, so I'm trying to be as sure as I can be about what I'd be buying. Though if the seller won't guarantee a return if I'm unable to register my car with his plates, then I will probably pass on them, awesome as they are.