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socalplanedoc · 12-23-2012, 09:15 AM

maybe I like to live on the edge? (A california license plate story)
before I know about the YOM program....
My first vintage car was a 54 Cadillac, I happen to find a nice set of correct plates at a yard sale - paid 10 bux for them.
I applied for "vanity plates" using those numbers, but when they arrived I mounted the ones I bought at the yard sale. 14 years now, 4 times stopped by law enforcement, no one has ever noticed. Numbers match the registration, only a DMV clerk-weenie would notice if they ever had an occasion to examine the papers and were looking for a problem (not likely) The shiny new reflectorized vanity plates are in the file if and when the car is ever sold.
Besides, what's the penalty if you did get caught? My guess is it wouldnt be much more than a stern finger-shake and you'd have to make it right When I told my cop freinds even they thought it was funny.
I've done that with three cars but my most recent is a 40 Fordor - for this I did the YOM program since I now know it exists. In the end, it's really a Vanity Plate program only you get to use real plates instead. Just like the vanity program, if I wanted to keep them after selling the car, all I have to do is go into the DMV and they'll assign a new sequential plate to the car.. easy.

by the way, California has a new program that will issue older-style plate replicas - the Legacy plate program - the Yellow-on-Blue, Yellow-on-Black, Black-on-Yellow plates for people that want them. They're not original (state law now requires plates to be reflectorized) but they look it. Funny thing is you can get a 1960's style plate for a brand new car, they're not restricting them to being correct for that year. It's not perfect but you gotta give them credit for trying ideas..

My family has had a 67 GMC truck since it was new. The original steel Black plate on the rear dock bumper was so rusted there wast room for the tags anymore. Dad made a new one from scratch by making a mold from the front plate and hydro-pressing an aluminum blank. Painted in the correct colors, you cant tell it's not the original unless DMV - CSI starts investigating. Numbers are right, fees are paid.. who cares?

I think the various laws intend to stop those would commit fraud. there's no fraud here. I can see it now.. "what are you in for?" "I painted my license plate"

12-23-2012, 09:15 AM	#23
socalplanedoc Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: San Diego, California Posts: 140	Re: YOM license plates maybe I like to live on the edge? (A california license plate story) before I know about the YOM program.... My first vintage car was a 54 Cadillac, I happen to find a nice set of correct plates at a yard sale - paid 10 bux for them. I applied for "vanity plates" using those numbers, but when they arrived I mounted the ones I bought at the yard sale. 14 years now, 4 times stopped by law enforcement, no one has ever noticed. Numbers match the registration, only a DMV clerk-weenie would notice if they ever had an occasion to examine the papers and were looking for a problem (not likely) The shiny new reflectorized vanity plates are in the file if and when the car is ever sold. Besides, what's the penalty if you did get caught? My guess is it wouldnt be much more than a stern finger-shake and you'd have to make it right When I told my cop freinds even they thought it was funny. I've done that with three cars but my most recent is a 40 Fordor - for this I did the YOM program since I now know it exists. In the end, it's really a Vanity Plate program only you get to use real plates instead. Just like the vanity program, if I wanted to keep them after selling the car, all I have to do is go into the DMV and they'll assign a new sequential plate to the car.. easy. by the way, California has a new program that will issue older-style plate replicas - the Legacy plate program - the Yellow-on-Blue, Yellow-on-Black, Black-on-Yellow plates for people that want them. They're not original (state law now requires plates to be reflectorized) but they look it. Funny thing is you can get a 1960's style plate for a brand new car, they're not restricting them to being correct for that year. It's not perfect but you gotta give them credit for trying ideas.. My family has had a 67 GMC truck since it was new. The original steel Black plate on the rear dock bumper was so rusted there wast room for the tags anymore. Dad made a new one from scratch by making a mold from the front plate and hydro-pressing an aluminum blank. Painted in the correct colors, you cant tell it's not the original unless DMV - CSI starts investigating. Numbers are right, fees are paid.. who cares? I think the various laws intend to stop those would commit fraud. there's no fraud here. I can see it now.. "what are you in for?" "I painted my license plate"