OLE BLUE: License Plate Options for 1966 Ford Truck

So I will have to replace the current IOWA license plates on Old Blue. Looking through the DMV website I have a few options when it comes to a 47 year old vehicle in this state. A couple of gotcha's here that need to be considered. In California, all pickup trucks are licensed as commercial vehicles so I will need to get the truck weighed and then be sure I get commercial plates. Commercial plates for a 1966 Truck can be:

1. Current Commercial
commercial motor vehicle license plate

2. Personalized

Blue on white with any text up to 7 letters - OLD BLUE or OL BLU 66.
Environmental Plate Image

Many types available. See https://www.dmv.ca.gov/online/elp/elp.htm

3. Legacy License Plate Program

California Legacy License Plate program offers the opportunity to purchase replicas of California license plates similar to those issued in the 1950's, 1960's, and 1970's. The program requires a minimum of 7,500 pre-paid applications prior to January 1, 2015 to be implemented.

Legacy License plates can be ordered for any year model automobile, commercial vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer. The Legacy License Plate Program will not replace the current Year of Manufacture (YOM) license plate program.

row of legacy plates with total applications approved

row of legacy plates with total applications approved

From the CA DMV website:

Q1: What is the fee to order Legacy License Plates?
A: $50.

Q2: Does the application fee of $50 apply to either a sequential or a personalized license plate?
A: Yes. The fee is the same for either choice of plate configuration.

Q3: If the Legacy License Plate Program is implemented, what other fees will be due?
A:$40 for renewal
$15 to transfer the plates to another vehicle
$35 for substitute plates

So, it looks like Legacy plates (IF implemented) would cost $50 to order and $40 per year for renewal.

4. Year of Manufacture (YOM)
YOM plates are any officially manufactured California license plates issued prior to 1969 for auto, motorcycle, or trailers and extends to 1972 or prior for commercial vehicles that the department determines are legible and serviceable.

From the CA DMV website:

Year of Manufacture (YOM) license plates are any officially manufactured California license plates issued in:
- 1969 or prior, for autos, trailers, and motorcycles, and
- 1972 or prior, for commercial vehicles.
In lieu of the license plates otherwise required for the vehicle, YOM plates may be assigned to any currently registered:
- 1969 or older year model auto, motorcycle, or trailer of a corresponding model year, or
- 1972 or older commercial vehicle of a corresponding model year.
The department must determine that the YOM plates are legible and serviceable prior to assignment to a vehicle.
Vehicles with YOM plates:
- have full operating privileges, and
- are not restricted to participation in historical vehicle activities.
Kit cars (SPCNS) of vintage automobiles (for example, a replica of a 1928 vehicle) do not qualify for YOM plates.

YOM plates must be supplied by the vehicle owner and authenticated by DMV personnel.

Base year license plates must have the appropriate year validation sticker attached to the plate to be authenticated as other than the base year.

Examples:

A 1956 license plate with a 1958 sticker equals a 1958 plate and must be placed on a 1958 year model vehicle.
A 1963 license plate with a 1968 sticker equals a 1968 plate and must be placed on a 1968 year model vehicle).

Blue and yellow plates:
- do not have a specific year model designation, but were not introduced until 1970, and
- therefore are only valid for 1970-1972 year model commercial vehicles.

Unique plate series, such as exempts, dealers, etc., will be authorized for currently qualified applicants only.

Example: California dealer #103 (if currently licensed) would be allowed to use an authenticated 1956 dealer plate #103 on a 1956 vehicle registered to the dealership. The plates must be:

original (legible and unaltered characters), and
a configuration authorized for the year of the vehicle entered on the application.

Legitimate YOM plate configurations may be determined by verifying the plate(s) against the plate information contained in Appendix 1E.
The YOM plates must be acceptable by the department and may be rejected by the department if the configuration carries any connotations offensive to good taste or have been restricted or removed from regular series license plates.
- Two license plates are required for every qualifying vehicle, except trailers or motorcycles require a single plate, and
- The vehicle and the license plate must be compatible (for example; a motorcycle plate to a motorcycle).
- Weight fees must be collected on all commercial vehicles.
Because the department does not have year model information for all historical vehicles, the YOM applicant may have to prove that the year model of the vehicle described in the application is correct.

For Old Blue we would need:
a. The yellow on black 1963 issue commercial California plates - two matching plates.
b. A yellow 1966 sticker
c. A lot of interactions with DMV about verification that no computer records exist for plates selected and that the plates meet subjective usability criteria.

commercial motor vehicle license plate

FEES FOR Year of Manufacture Plates:

Year of Manufacture (YOM) Plates (CVC §5004.5)							Fee
Original							$45
Renewal							$10
Reassignment							$12
Retention							$20

So, it looks like YOM plates would cost $45 to originate and $10 per year for renewal. However, I will need to buy the plates and get a 1966 sticker so add another $120 to total costs. Searches at google yield websites selling match pairs of 1963 issue commercial plates for $250 - $500 a set. Ebay searches show pairs of the same plates for around $100. Be sure to verify with DMV via the 800 number that no computer records exist for a set of plates you want to purchase (regardless of source) before you put the money down!

SUMMARY OF COSTS