I thought I could hack CA DMV

[mag232]

and succeed in getting vintage CA plates assigned where others have failed. In reading about others' experience with YOM process I got clued in to "clear" plates with the DMV. The vw guys talk about it a bunch on their boards. YOM would work for the 2002 but not the coupe, since YOM ends with 1969.

So ...

My idea was to check ebay blue (for coupe) and black (for 2002) plates in good condition, then use the CA DMV personalized plate webform to verify that the plates in question were clear. I'd then buy a personalized plate with the same number but current coloring, and do the old switcheroo.

EZ process - I found a bunch on bay that appeared clear. So I won a couple of auctions.

Today I went to the DMV web form to buy the 6 digit personalized plates. Both plates passed the initial web form check to make the order, but failed at the point of checkout. What I surmise is that the two systems don't query the same DB. The checkout process must make a query against a more comprehensive DB, and that any previously issued plate won't be reissued.

So my grand plan failed. Anyone have any better ideas that they'd want to share just amongst us close-knit coupe folk? Anyone want to buy a set of blue plates for $11.95?

BTW I know about the retro-reissue but am not interested….

 

[jmackro]

Today I went to the DMV web form to buy the 6 digit personalized plates. Both plates passed the initial web form check to make the order, but failed at the point of checkout. What I surmise is that the two systems don't query the same DB.

I'm guessing that DMV has gotten wise to this trick. So any attempt to order a 6 digit vanity plate of the form: "digit digit digit letter letter letter" automatically fails. The problem isn't that someone else has a vanity plate that matches the plate you bought on ebay.

 

[CSteve]

When I want from a lovely PA classic plate to an ugly PA Antique plate I was shocked. The old antique plates were simple and lovely. The new ones are adorned with a Model T. Great for the Ford folk. Ridiculous for the rest of us. So I mounted an older antique plate from a Bavaria that went to the crusher and keep the legal plate in the car. Hope any officer who stops me understands the aesthetics of it all. I can also clip the legal plate over the antique for longer trips.

 

[HB Chris]

If you went one more step on the DMV website when you thought the plates were clear and hit the buy button it would have said not available. It takes both steps and the DMV won't even consider it. The new plates will look dumb IMHO. New black plates on your 2013 Hyundai? Sorry, really dumb. Send your phone number to me in a PM.

 

[CRJ Driver]

When I want from a lovely PA classic plate to an ugly PA Antique plate I was shocked. The old antique plates were simple and lovely. The new ones are adorned with a Model T. Great for the Ford folk. Ridiculous for the rest of us. So I mounted an older antique plate from a Bavaria that went to the crusher and keep the legal plate in the car. Hope any officer who stops me understands the aesthetics of it all. I can also clip the legal plate over the antique for longer trips.

Agreed. My PA antique plate is like a tramp stamp on an otherwise beautiful rear end.