Any issues with custom vintage lic plate?

[moto_marco]

I like the look of the 60's style plate which you can purchase (Ebay, Amazon, Etsy, etc.) for about $75 with your own license number stamped in the plate.  Of course you can also get the plate from DMV but then it's $50 a year to keep it. So has anyone purchased their own custom plate (with their actual license number, of course) instead of going with the DMV plate? Any issues with the cops? Thanks!

[Tom H]

 

Tom

[Perazzimx14]

Shouldn't be a problem at all. Well at least until you encounter the 1st cop with plate recognition technology and he tries to run the plate. When you get pulled over I'm sure of you explain that you like the look of your plate better and it was cheaper buying it on eBay than from the State he'll probably let you off with a ticket,  court date and a refreshing walk home. If your lucky maybe he'll even give you a ride in the rear seat of the cruiser and let you use their phone at the station.

I say go for it!

[ampm7]

I wonder if they make them in the blue color that came out in '68 or '70? I have 2 Ambo's that would look more period correct with them on there. Marco what is the "search" to bring them up on EBay? The only problem I can think of are the stickers which are very hard to remove once pressed on.

[Moparnut72]

Do the vendors have a disclaimer such as For Display Purposes Only or Not To Be Used On A Motor Vehicle? I would be hesitant to use one of these without official authorization.
kk

[cliffrod]

Why ask here?  Call the DMV and get the real right answer. 

In some states (including here in SC) you can recycle & use an actual old plate as your vanity plate.  As long as it's not an active registration number, it becomes your DMV-legal vanity plate   It's made old plates in good condition more valuable, especially ones with cool or relevant numbers in them.  Many people hunt the specifc-year plate to match their bike or car.

[ken farr]

I have one I purchased years ago, from LicensePlateTV.  I know weird name.  The plate is embossed aluminum and looks good. At some point, the state of California sent them a cease and desist  order.   The plates fell into the definition of counterfeit plates and is a felony in Ca.
So, you aren't going to find one made in the U.S., the ones on ebay and such are made off shore and are somewhat pricey.
State can send all the letters they want to England, China etc., they don't have jurisdiction and aren't going to spend resources to trak a half dozen display plates coming into the state.

Now in my opinion, and it is just that, if you are running an aftermarket plate, and the officer actually sees it as such, you will probably get stopped.   If the plate matches the same number-letter sequence as the issued plate, the registration is current, and the plausible explanation is offered that " gee I didn't know that, I just like the looks of the old style, I wasn't trying to get away with anything", the worst that would happen is the plate may be taken (probably not ), a fix-it ticket for the display of the issued plate ( maybe to probably ), and everyone goes on  their way.
Impound not going to happen, fees are paid, the plate is accurate and no criminal intent.
In my opinion.

kjf

[ampm7]

If you want the black/yellow one just order it from the DMV. When I purchased one for a bike I previously had, they wanted $40 for it. I thought WOW! I can afford that. But they want the $40 every year when you renew your registration. Not worth it unless the bike is vintage and that is the plate that was issued in the first place. Plus, as Ken says 'it is a felony in California to have counterfeit plates'. Not good...

[Matt Story]

In Michigan, a 'classic vehicle', that is registered as such can use any actual legitimate historic Michigan plate.  To be a classic vehicle, it must be over 25? years old.  Registered that way, it would have matching classic vehicle insurance, and possibly reduced registration fees.  That also brings with it a limit on how much and when it can be driven.  Only rallies, shows and pleasure drives are allowed.

[PeteS]

In NY you can use an actual vintage plate that matches the year the vehicle was offered. New York issued new plates every year until around 1955. The year stamped into the plate. Then for about ten years they only sent you a stamped metal corner that went over the plate with that year stamped into it. I have a 1952 MC plate I was going to use on my 1952 BSA A10 but sold the bike before registering it. After the early to mid sixties NY sent plastic stickers. Unlikely you would find a plate with the correct year sticker after the mid sixties.





Pete

[Guzzistajohn]

I have Missouri Historic plates on 2 bikes. One is a 1980 plate I picked up in Davenport years ago. In this state that means never having to do a state inspection or pay anything........for ever. Puts an extra grin on my face when I ride one of the LeMans' 

[Scud]

In CA, you cannot use a facsimile plate, and you cannot change the original color of a plate. But I think you can register an old, original plate to the bike. And you can restore an original plate so it looks new.

I was thinking about getting a blue plate for my 1989 LeMans. Originals are cheap on eBay (black ones cost more).

[dxhall]

Does the place that sells the license plates also sell driver’s licenses and insurance cards?

[mtiberio]

My Virginia "antique" tag is cheesy, thin aluminum and has cracked. Since the registration is permanent, I'm looking to have a duplicate made in proper porcelain coated steel. Anyone know who can make this? Not worried about price or getting stopped.

[Perazzimx14]

I have Missouri Historic plates on 2 bikes. One is a 1980 plate I picked up in Davenport years ago. In this state that means never having to do a state inspection or pay anything........for ever. Puts an extra grin on my face when I ride one of the LeMans' 

Pennsylvania is similar with antique plates. Once you pay the one time antique registration you are issues a plates and an antique title for the duration of ownership. You are exempt from annual state inspection and further State fee's. The vehicle must maintain valid insurance the entire duration the tags is assigned to it. So if you are are going to do the two year nut/bolt resto you must keep it insured even if not able to ride it. Or you can surrender the tags/registration to be able to remove the insurance. Then once ready to ride re-register the bike for a fee.

Antique vehicle are not to be operated at night and only ridden in a "limited" capacity.

[motorcop]

The first time that plate gets ran, you are getting stopped. The first charge would be improper plate and the second would be unregistered vehicle. Both are misdemeanors. So you can be arrested. The bike will be impounded.

Its easier to just do the right thing and get one thru your state DMV.

[ken farr]

Does the place that sells the license plates also sell driver’s licenses and insurance cards?

  No.
  They are around the corner, look for the blue Dodge van......


kjf

[moto_marco]

Thank you for all your comments! Sounds like a risk I should not take.

[Guzzistajohn]

Thank you for all your comments! Sounds like a risk I should not take.

I'd go with Clifford's advice      Why ask here?  Call the DMV and get the real right answer.

In some states (including here in SC) you can recycle & use an actual old plate as your vanity plate.  As long as it's not an active registration number, it becomes your DMV-legal vanity plate   It's made old plates in good condition more valuable, especially ones with cool or relevant numbers in them.  Many people hunt the specifc-year plate to match their bike or car.

[Ncdan]

It would be Illegal in NC as it’s an “ altered license tag” violation.
NC GS 20-63g

[twowheeladdict]

The first time that plate gets ran, you are getting stopped. The first charge would be improper plate and the second would be unregistered vehicle. Both are misdemeanors. So you can be arrested. The bike will be impounded.

Its easier to just do the right thing and get one thru your state DMV.

Why is that?  If the run the numbers it will come back as the bike in question.  If he sticks the decals for the official plate on this plate it will look like a new novelty plate. 

I know my state has over 100 specialty plates, and then you can personalize any plate with your own approved words as vanity plates. 

Do Law Enforcement Officers memorize every specialty plate available?  Heck, I ran a bike with the plate in the belly storage under the bike for 5 years without ever getting pulled over.  LEOs around here have more important things to do, or maybe I just never had one driving behind me. 

[aklawok]

 I had to go out and take this picture of the back window of my truck.
Any of you old geezers recognize the plate on the right? LoL! 



BTW: here is a link to a plate mfg. Don't know if street legal.
https://www.calplates.com/

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

A NEW START

[Rough Edge racing]

Here in NY there is currently three different legal series of legal  plates,all look different.The second series has a peeling paint problem so the state wanted all holders of those plates to pay for new ones...Yeah right..not happening...
To me, custom plates are for attracting attention like tattoos....That would blow my Witness protection status 

[twowheeladdict]

A NEW START

Looks more like a

.  LOL!  J/K.

[Alfetta]

....... I would be hesitant to use one of these without official authorization......
kk

I purchased a PW80 for my granddaughter and we went riding about in my pasture.. She loved it and we had a great day, however we stopped under a tree once to rest and talk and then she asked me "is this allowed ?"

I was shocked by her question, and i could not believe that that would even be on her mind.  But that's when I started to pay more attention to what she is hearing at school and from other sources. School is training our kids that every thing need to be approved by some authority, Media is also backing this mindset, Heck even in business, this thought line is very present in newer ISO standards...  "Was this approved or verified by your supervisor ?"

mental thought slip...  ( no he is a moron, I don't care what he thinks )

Again probably my age here, but I was raised to believe that as Americans we are free, and I have the right to swing my fist any way an place I want, until I get close to your nose. In translation for todays peeps, as long as I don't do harm to others, then have at it...

I understand that nobody wants to invite trouble, so if you are not comfortable with a custom plate, then don't get one. But the need (or even the mental state) to ask for "official permission" kinda makes my stomach turn...

I mean no disrespect, I'm just pointing out how the world has changed, and that we just accept more and more restrictions, seemingly without realizing just what we are loosing.. 

[Scud]

FWIW - I had a custom-made (not DMV) plate on the front of a 1965 Mustang once (and I had the correct plate on the back).  One day it was missing, and there was a ticket on the windshield which included the handwritten note "Novelty Plate Seized." That was a long time ago, and I don't recall what the fine was... but it was fun while it lasted.

[Tom H]

In Ca. we are required to have the correct plate front and rear. From what I understand, not all states require a front plate on a non commercial vehicle so a novelty plate is fine. Commercial trucks are an exception, the year and month tagged plate is on the front.

Tom

[motorcop]

Why is that?  If the run the numbers it will come back as the bike in question.  If he sticks the decals for the official plate on this plate it will look like a new novelty plate. 

I know my state has over 100 specialty plates, and then you can personalize any plate with your own approved words as vanity plates. 

Do Law Enforcement Officers memorize every specialty plate available?  Heck, I ran a bike with the plate in the belly storage under the bike for 5 years without ever getting pulled over.  LEOs around here have more important things to do, or maybe I just never had one driving behind me.

The plate in question was never an issued plate from the DMV.  The rider would not have a legal reg for it. So if a LEO comes up behind it and enters it into the MDC or a license plate reader hits it, it will come back No Record. Thats enough probable cause for  the traffic stop.

You can register vintage plates that were issued from the state to your vehicle. Totally legal.

I personally don't issue citations to bikes or car drivers for that matter if they have a cycle endorsement. Riders need all the breaks they can get…..unless they are total jack wagons…..

[twowheeladdict]

The plate in question was never an issued plate from the DMV.  The rider would not have a legal reg for it. So if a LEO comes up behind it and enters it into the MDC or a license plate reader hits it, it will come back No Record. Thats enough probable cause for  the traffic stop.

You can register vintage plates that were issued from the state to your vehicle. Totally legal.

I personally don't issue citations to bikes or car drivers for that matter if they have a cycle endorsement. Riders need all the breaks they can get…..unless they are total jack wagons…..

Ah, I see your confusion.  He said he was going to buy it with his legal registration numbers on it.  So it would come up in in the MDC.  If he puts the stickers that would have been for the official plate he bought, on this plate there would be no reason for you to pull him over.