YOM rules

[SoCalSled]

Okay, can anyone clarify the Year of Mfg (YOM) rules in California for me?

Basically, just trying to figure out what I need to find to register my 1950 Poncho?

I've talked to the DMV, and read a couple threads, but still don't think I get it. I understand that if I were registering it that year I would have gotten the metal corner tags. Was this the same for new plates issued that year? I would have gotten a 1947 plate and a corner tag??

Any help would be great much appreciated!

R//jb

[Swifster]

SoCal, the YOM law in California says that cars that are 1962 and older are eligible. In your case, you need plates that were used in 1950. In California in 1950, as you are aware, they used the 1947 plate with metal tabs for 1950. This is what you'll need to do;

1) Locate a matching pair of 1947 plates. California requires front and rear plates, even with older plates, unless it was a year where only one plate was used.

2) You need to make sure your plates are 'clear'. This means that the number on your plates can not be currently registered on another vehicle.

3) Make sure your plates are legible. Technically, California laws says the plates can not be repainted. While they rarely if ever enforce the law, why take a chance. Once the car is registered, have the plates restored then.

4) You'll need a matching set of tabs for the 1950 year. The same rules apply to the tabs except for being 'clear' (I know it goes without saying...)

5) The plates must be for the type of vehicle being registered. If you have a car, they need to be passenger plates. If you have a truck, they need to be truck plates.

6) The forms required are online at the CA DMV website.

I've attached a picture of what you're looking for. Good luck!

[SoCalSled]

Thanks Tom, that about sums it up!!

I'll keep an eye out for those plates

[Luxobarge]

Just a comment here on Swifsters reply to the YOM rules for Calif.

I went through this a few months ago and was told by the first DMV clerk the plates I had could not used because they were commercial truck plates and I would be putting them on a car. I was of the understanding they only had to be the correct yr for the vehicle, so not giving up easily I demanded. . . well, pleaded they get someone else to check the rules. As it turns out I was correct and am now registered with my 1932 plates.

The problem is they don't do this often enough for most DMV reps to know what's happening. Be prepared to spend some time at the DMV. . . but it's worth it in the end. My plates were already restored when I took them in, they questioned how they looked so new, I just told them I bought em that way and that was it.

One last thing, you need to verify with DMV the numbers on your plates are not already out there on some other vehicle.

[Swifster]

I guess the question would be, where the numbers on your plates a number that is considered to be commercial now, or then? If the plates were passenger then, and the current number sequence would make it a commercial number, they should be usable for your car. If the plates were commercial plates (truck/pick-up plates) back in the day, they should only be usable on trucks.

I'd bet the plates you had were passenger plates for the time. The wording says the plate has to be correct for the vintage. As for the plate numbers not currently being used, that was what I meant about the plates being cleared.

[SoCalSled]

Thanks guys, that's good information to have in case I get to the DMV and get some inexperienced, disgruntled employee...

Oh wait, that's most of them.