How illegal is this? Modifying license plates to look original...

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by CentralCoaster

I thought of that, but in CA you can't get vanity plates that match a sequential plate. I'm not actually sure about the older sequences though. I could get away with it by registering a non-sequential 6-digit vanity plate and then getting some repop plates made to match it. That gets pricey just to accomplish the same damn thing as I'm trying now. Plus paying vanity plate fees every year, which adds up.





There absolutely is. Putting a clear cover over your plate is illegal here. Driving with a taillight out is illegal. Going 5mph over the speed limit is illegal. But in the eyes of the cop, they won't give a crap.

Where can you get repop plates made?

[oscareltemblo]

Here http://www.licenseplates.tv/cat/michigan_164.html

[ocbaud]

i'm running a euro front plate on my passat. i had the company that made it use the same numbers as my official oklahoma rear plate. of course we dont have to have a front plate in oklahoma, so its not illegal, but i have had some people/officers drive by and stare at it. (pic in sig)

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by oscareltemblo

Here http://www.licenseplates.tv/cat/michigan_164.html

Thanks, I had been on their webpage before but had not found the part where they will reproduce any plate, starting at $100.

http://www.licenseplates.tv/replicate_a_plate.php

[timcos]

It is not unlawful to modify a license plate in any state.

Just like it is not unlawful to do your own plumbing.

It is however not lawful to use that modified plate on your vehicle.

Just as is would be unlawful to run a plumbni9g business without the proper licensing...not that ensure quality mind you. It is just a continuing and reaching cashectomy from our government...get ready for the revolution...

You can hang the modified plate it in your garage if you like.

[RicksTrucks]

In Oklahoma you can register old plates too. So far I have found a set of year specific plates for each of my trucks, but haven't registered them yet.

I bought my 70 flatbed in California and it still had the black and yellow plate on the front, so I have kept it there. In Oklahoma we just have back plates. Thought it would look cool. No problems so far.

[Bob B.]

On the subject of license plates, have any of you ever checked out this guy:
http://www.licenseplates.tv/index.php/cPath/22
He makes some very good replicas. Of course, he won't ship California replica plates to California, ect..

[CentralCoaster]

Originally Posted by wild one

The plates don't have to say anything , ie: 2FAST4U, BLEWBYU, OU812, WANARUN or any other corny saying. You can request any plate - 4BDY113 for example, as a vanity plate and if it is not in use on any other vehicle it can be your "special" plate. The hard part is finding an older plate that is still in good shape and not in use. Thats why I have kept mine for future use

I'll try and give this a shot. The DMV clearly says on their website that it won't fly though. I'll find some old plates first. They're always on ebay.

[CentralCoaster]

Originally Posted by Bob B.

On the subject of license plates, have any of you ever checked out this guy:
http://www.licenseplates.tv/index.php/cPath/22
He makes some very good replicas. Of course, he won't ship California replica plates to California, ect..

The font is clearly different. I noticed that right off the bat. He also says on there that they are only "similar" and doesn't make any claims that they will pass as originals.

[mal68ibu]

[QUOTE=CentralCoaster;2144972]I thought of that, but in CA you can't get vanity plates that match a sequential plate. I'm not actually sure about the older sequences though. I could get away with it by registering a non-sequential 6-digit vanity plate and then getting some repop plates made to match it. That gets pricey just to accomplish the same damn thing as I'm trying now. Plus paying vanity plate fees every year, which adds up.




Good news in CA. Starting in July, 2009 we can use the origina black plates if you can find a set of 2 in good condition, that are off the books. My 67 GMC still has its originals, but my 68 chevelle has a pair of NOS ones waiting for JULY!!!! Also these black plates need to have a year sticker matching the year of the truck/car. Lastly the trucks used the black plates til 72 and cars til 69. You bet your a$$ i'm stashing as many pairs as I can find in any condition.

[ChevLoRay]

I am running an Arizona front tag on the front of my '69, in Arkansas. It's been there for 6 years without any issues. It was my tag when I was in AZ, but not on this truck. Honestly, I don't know if AZ had separate tags for cars versus 1/2-ton trucks. The '38 GMC I had back then had a '62 tag on it, but I don't recall any of the specifics on the tag. I have an Arkansas tag with a '69 sticker on it that was my dads tag, that I may use on the front of my truck. But I figure it'll get more negative attention than the AZ plate.

[Firearmfiend]

I'm lucky, I have the original plates on my truck... the front plate thing, tho, I heard in CA you must have a front plate only if the vehicle was equipped that way originally. I have a friend whose dad didn't have a plate on the front of his car (something from the 80's) and had gotten several tickets for it, all of which were dismissed because when he bought the car it didn't have a front plate.

Now for the REAL challenge: I have the original plate HOLDERS for my truck from the dealer where the truck was bought originally!

[Rdrdave]

A friend changed the color of his plates and his ticket was around $150, a long discussion with a traffic judge and pleaded for them not to impound. It also opens the door for a looooong search. ( I live in Oakland) Then it would have been storage for a few days. The front plate is for identification. PD is not always behind suspicious vehicles.

[bowtieboy93]

dont risk it, i know a guy who brushed his front plate so it looked like stainless and he got a hefty ticket and had to buy color matching paint and repaint it and go show it to the cops