New Black California Plates can now be ordered from the DMV.
 

I hadn't heard of this until Hagerty sent me something about it.

For $50, you can order a new black license plate from the DMV. It doesn't cost anything extra to personalize it, either.

I skipped the YOM program because it involved a complicated procedure with the DMV - which I've learned to avoid. This is an easier alternative.

The program claims that yellow, black or blue plates will be available if a minimum of 7,500 orders are received for each. So far, only the black plates have cleared the hurdle. However, there's no model year restriction on the plates - so you can just put a black one on your Acura, too.

Here's the link.

can out of state ers obtain the plates? I need a set.

The new black plate program will use reflectorized plates and can be bought and placed on NEW cars as well. Lame.

Plus you won't be able to personalize a configuration like original 1963 to 1969 plates were with 3 letters and then 3 numbers:

KRT 389

You would have to make it: KR7 389


Best to just buy some good original, not restored, DMV clear black plates on ebay for around $200 and corresponding year tag for your year car and go through the YOM program.

It is a piece of cake. No issues having done it multiple times.

Is there a yearly fee added on in order to keep the plates as they do with some of the other specialty plates?

I don't think non-residents can get license plates from any state. If you're buying them for display only, I'd get one off Ebay. (Pretty cheap for non-DMV clear ones.) Don't get caught driving around with one, though.

Signed up forever ago. Anxiously awaiting the plates. Like everything the DMV does, this has been moving at a snail's pace.

I sent mine in yesterday. I guess I shouldn't hold my breath... A quick google search turned up some people who claim to have already received theirs?

It's possible. I think they were approved in May or June. I thought I read somewhere that they estimated 6-9 months after the approval for plates to start shipping.

I live in MI, I don't see what the big deal is with a CA black plate. I don't think they look all that good & you can only have them as a dispaly plate if your car is from somewhere other then CA. Here in MI you get to use your year plate for your car , like if your car like mine is a 1973 you get a 1973 plate & register it for your car,,ONCE 7 you don't have to buy tour plates ever again. Th oly restrictions is they have to be for your year car & it has to be 25 years old or older . Maybe if my car was from CA & I wanted one for display maybe I'd get one but I wouldn't spend that much for a plate you can only look at & not use. I get get why the black plate is so popular.

CA black plates are period correct; and before this YOM black plate program, a 1960s car with black plates meant it was basically always a CA car and never left the state.

The Year of Manufacture program has cheapened that some, but nothing like black plates on 1963 to 1969 cars. So perfect.

And years ago selling a "black plate car" typically added something to its value.



The new white plates are about the lamest looking plates you could have on your 1960s Pontiac in CA. Major detail I feel that makes a 1960s car look so out of place.

I checked into this last year for my Tennessee-sourced '67 GTO ragtop. It has the blue plates that were issued to me in '83 when it came into CA. Turns out, by law, the new black plates are reflectorized, and don't resemble the original black plates. I decided to leave the old blue plates on the car....they're part of its history, now. YOM would be my choice if I wanted to go that route for the '67.

I see the reflectorized plates as a plus, actually. I already have added a dual master cylinder, disk brakes and rear seat belts as a safeguard against the crazies on the road out here. The reflectorized plate will help them see me at night.

I wouldn't count on a 6" by 12" plate to protect you.

Maybe add glow in the dark tape across your bumpers.


;-)


Headrests added to the original seats next? One can only do so much. If an accident happens, it happens.

Just get a set of period correct Q to T starting letter black plates for your 1965 on ebay. The new plates won't be right and any custom configuration will just look wrong as well.

I'm not a sticker for 100% originality and my car isn't orginally from California so they'll be close enough for me. If I had my choice it would be wearing a set of '68 Texas Hemisfair plates :cool:

I wonder what they will actually look like. I know they sold enough black plates but the Yellow and Black might have sold if actual plates were shown. The Blue and Gold probably not.

They haven't even cashed my check yet. You see why I hate dealing with the DMV. ..

Even more reason to get real black plates. No need to buy fake new ones and wait forever.

Cancel your check and get a nice set on ebay for around $200 and go put them on your car via the YOM program. Piece of cake.

Or just look on your local CL for a clean, usable pair. Not sure how to tell if plates are genuine black plates, or other years just painted black and yellow.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/ant...861563290.html

The '63 -'69 black plates are made of steel.

The blue and yellow '70 and later plates are aluminum.

Bring a magnet. ;)

Ignore that post for plates on craigslist... that set is a fake set of new white plates painted black. Come on now.

Like I have said, get a set on ebay. And absolutely stay away from restored/repainted plates. No need for them as there are plenty of NOS plates that come up for sale should you have a concourse car where a mint set would be warranted.

Otherwise match the condition of plates to your car.

And use this guideline for the starting letter on plates for '63-'69 cars:

A to O for 1963/1964 ('56 yellow plates owners were required to trade in for black plates thus so many letters used up for '63-'64 cars)
P to S for 1965/1966
T to W for 1967/1968
X , Y, Z for 1969