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

[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

[Shane]

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

that's like asking how pregnant is pregnant ...

either it's illegal or it isn't ... there is no room for "how" illegal in the eyes of the police or judge.

[FIVE 0]

Im thinkin most LEOs dont get to worked up about this type of thing. However as we all know there are the uniforms that need to prove somthing, need stats, are Rookies, FNGs etc, and will work you over till now end. I woundnt recomend it even though it looks nice.

Just so happens that Ive been working on this very thing in Idaho this week. Here you can register a vehicle with a correct year plate to same year vehicle. The problem is they have 67 and 68 plates and none again until 74. I have a 72 and several 67 and 68 plates, (looks like I need a couple more trucks to use them plates). Idaho also has a classic plate for use on 30+ year old vehicles but must be near original, and have limited use. The bonus is you can run without a bumper registering this way, kinda.

[powell72]

In Colorado they won't re-issue plates unless they're '34 or older, so I requested personalized plates with this number, then when I got them I stuck the new plates under the seat and put the tags on the old plates. It's my number and the stickers are on there, I have not had any issues yet and I drive my truck everyday and have had numerous cops behind me.

[68wip]

Originally Posted by powell72

In Colorado they won't re-issue plates unless they're '34 or older, so I requested personalized plates with this number, then when I got them I stuck the new plates under the seat and put the tags on the old plates. It's my number and the stickers are on there, I have not had any issues yet and I drive my truck everyday and have had numerous cops behind me.

That's brilliant..!

[CentralCoaster]

Originally Posted by powell72

In Colorado they won't re-issue plates unless they're '34 or older, so I requested personalized plates with this number, then when I got them I stuck the new plates under the seat and put the tags on the old plates. It's my number and the stickers are on there, I have not had any issues yet and I drive my truck everyday and have had numerous cops behind me.

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.

Originally Posted by Shane

either it's illegal or it isn't ... there is no room for "how" illegal in the eyes of the police or judge.

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.

[Shane]

Originally Posted by CentralCoaster

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.

That depends totally on the cop and the mood he happens to be in on that particular day. I've seen worse than what you describe get off scot-free ... and seen a whole lot less go "down town."

Not to be argumentative, cause I know where you are coming from, but the guy (original poster) ask "how illegal" something was ... I was only making the point that either it IS illegal or it ISN'T.

[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?

[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.

[wild one]

Originally Posted by powell72

In Colorado they won't re-issue plates unless they're '34 or older, so I requested personalized plates with this number, then when I got them I stuck the new plates under the seat and put the tags on the old plates. It's my number and the stickers are on there, I have not had any issues yet and I drive my truck everyday and have had numerous cops behind me.

You beat me to the punch. I have had a few vehicles that I have done this very thing (registered "vanity" plates to two different vehicles, at different points in time) and have never had a problem with any LEO - and believe me - I used to get pulled over ALOT in my younger days.

[byrd]

I found out today that in Ky(KRS 186.043) you can run your year specific plates, but you must have antique vehical registration and you have to carry the antique plates and registration with you(law anyway) at all times and you are legal. However they say they do not have a way to register the actual tag in question, so as soon as a LEO gets in behind me and sees the 69 tags and runs them, they come back non-registered= numerous hassles, and traffic stops, at least IMO anyway. I may run them from time to time just to see if I get stopped and tell them about the law that allows it. I called the vehicle enforcement division first and found out the law and it's reference # and that it could be done.Then proceded to contact the DMV and posing like I didn't know and asked if I could run the old plates and the womans response, very quickly I might add was NO! After referring her to the statue she ask to hold and come back with a new attitude( nice for a DMV worker, if that is possible ) She then told meI could, then stated the requirements to use them. I was kinda PO that I couldn't actually register the tags, but at least I can use them

[stsalvage]

Hello all Here is one that sucks if you do a lien tital on a car or a truck you have to forfet the black and yellow plates I wish i could find a good counterfitter to make me up a fake Registation Card if you have some sort of card in the truck or car that say them plates belong on the truck you can keep them but if you don't forfet

NOw i've been told you can go to personal plates if you have a set of old black and yellow truck plates and you ask the DMV to make a new set with them same letters and numbers and they come in the mail i say put the old ones on and put the new ones in a file cabnet and put your stickers on the cops running that plate will come back as a personal plate

i dout they will hassle you


One last thing i need a decoding
For a 1969--1970 Nova this is the VINE # 1X27H2L118239

THIS IS THE REST OFF THE VIN TAG

ST 72 72 -11427 L 13273

TR 753-A51 75 75 PNT

A2 9 454019 03077

IF YOU CAN DE CODE THAT IT WOULD REALLY HELP IT HAS AIR POWER STEERING IT HAD AUTO NOT SURE WHAT AND IT CAM WITH DELUX INTIOR AND BUCKET SEATS AND CLOCK

IT HAS DRUM BRAKES NO POWER BRAKES AND A 10 BOLT 2 DOOR POST

PAINT ON CAR IS RED WITH BLACK INTIOR HAS FRONT SWAY BAR AND IT HAD

A LOT OF UNDER BODY CODING UNDER IT A LOT AND I MEAN A LOT nO CANCER IN FLOOR OR IN TRUNK HAS A LITTLE IN REAR LOWER QUIRTER PANLE WHERE THE MUD GETS THROWN

[cameeks]

Originally Posted by stsalvage

One last thing i need a decoding
For a 1969--1970 Nova this is the VINE # 1X27H2L118239

THIS IS THE REST OFF THE VIN TAG

ST 72 72 -11427 L 13273

TR 753-A51 75 75 PNT

A2 9 454019 03077

IF YOU CAN DE CODE THAT IT WOULD REALLY HELP IT HAS AIR POWER STEERING IT HAD AUTO NOT SURE WHAT AND IT CAM WITH DELUX INTIOR AND BUCKET SEATS AND CLOCK

IT HAS DRUM BRAKES NO POWER BRAKES AND A 10 BOLT 2 DOOR POST

PAINT ON CAR IS RED WITH BLACK INTIOR HAS FRONT SWAY BAR AND IT HAD

A LOT OF UNDER BODY CODING UNDER IT A LOT AND I MEAN A LOT nO CANCER IN FLOOR OR IN TRUNK HAS A LITTLE IN REAR LOWER QUIRTER PANLE WHERE THE MUD GETS THROWN

I'm not sure on the decoding but if you post it as a new thread you might get the answers you want faster.

[CentralCoaster]

Again, you can't get vanity plates that are a sequential numbering system. So anything that was standard issue in the past, you can't get vanity plates to match it. They do this so they won't have two cars with the same plate #.

The only way close would be to get old vanity plates made that are not in use and then try registering new vanity plates to match the old ones. Even then, vanity plates were not available before 1970 in the black/yellow scheme, so a cop my know this.

I don't do car shows.

[wild one]

Originally Posted by CentralCoaster

Again, you can't get vanity plates that are a sequential numbering system. So anything that was standard issue in the past, you can't get vanity plates to match it. They do this so they won't have two cars with the same plate #.

The only way close would be to get old vanity plates made that are not in use and then try registering new vanity plates to match the old ones. Even then, vanity plates were not available before 1970 in the black/yellow scheme, so a cop my know this.

I don't do car shows.

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

[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.

[fourty1]

why don't you try the same thing 'Powell72' did , only with the cali DMV. or just use your ' modified' plates at car shows- just swap-em out when your doing your detail...
just a thought
-41-

[RetroSBK]

I got a set off fleabay, 1969 black plates, was a deal because he only had one plate...

When I registered my truck, I did so at AA, NOT DMV... I walked out with the new paperwork, and walked right back in and said, I think there is a mistake, I have old black plates on this truck, they did a quick DMV search, and the plate was vacant, and they swapped the plate numbers to the old black plates, and handed me the new registration, and zero'd out the white plates that came on it... No worries...

About front plates... You have to remember that most cops only know about 10 lines of the Vehicle Code... When Ive been pulled over in the C10, and they ask about the plate for the front, I tell them that in 1970 they didnt require a front plate on a commercial vehicle, only a rear, and no provision was ever made to grandfather them in.

So far every one, including the one with the hard on about my limo tinited windows couldnt write me for it, because he couldnt prove otherwise, and if he HAD written me for it, and I was right, just about every judge would have thrown out the entire ticket. Always do.

and IMHO, do what you want with your truck and just pay the fixit ticket.... As I have told many a cop, this is the way I like it, and I can keep paying the $40 to write off the fixit tickets, but my truck is my truck, and if I wanted it legal, It would be all stock... Its all in the name of revenue anyways, not law enforcement...

[brak]

Originally Posted by RetroSBK

When I registered my truck, I did so at AA, NOT DMV...

Alcoholics anonymous is registering vehicles now?

Couldn't pass that one up

[GREASEMONKEY72]

Originally Posted by brak

Alcoholics anonymous is registering vehicles now?

Couldn't pass that one up

im a drunk not an alcoholic, alcoholics go to meetings

[GREASEMONKEY72]

Originally Posted by RetroSBK

do what you want with your truck and just pay the fixit ticket.... As I have told many a cop, this is the way I like it, and I can keep paying the $40 to write off the fixit tickets, but my truck is my truck, and if I wanted it legal, It would be all stock... Its all in the name of revenue anyways, not law enforcement...

and if you dont want to pay the fines then dont to it

[combustion]

just tell him. "kiss my ass barney 5" =)

haha