custom license plates
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
custom license plates
I have my 68 convert registered as an antique vehicle in VA. You have the option of getting a really ugly black and white plate with the next available number from the DMV or you can get what the DMV calls a "vintage" plate. It must be a plate you provide them in good condition issued the exact same year as the model year of the car with a number not in use already. So- I looked on ebay and found 1968 VA plates with a decent number. (there was a set of plates with 78 as the number for $400 that I considered, but did not buy). Now.....I found a place that will make new 1968 vintage plates with any number you want for $100. I think I will verify with the DMV that the 1968 plate "1" is not in use and re- register the car. Other drivers will think the car belongs to the governor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
I wonder how that works, I assumed you had to have an "originally state issued" plate. I had a plate made from buildasign.com, basically I scanned a '76 plate picture, photoshopped the numbers, uploaded it, and they printed them out on sheet aluminum the same shape and hole spacing as a regular plate. from a few feet away you cannot tell it is not a real plate....wonder if I could use that for a registration? right now it's on the front, and I got the idea from a buddy that did that for his chevelle, people always think it is a real plate.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
plates
I wonder how that works, I assumed you had to have an "originally state issued" plate. I had a plate made from buildasign.com, basically I scanned a '76 plate picture, photoshopped the numbers, uploaded it, and they printed them out on sheet aluminum the same shape and hole spacing as a regular plate. from a few feet away you cannot tell it is not a real plate....wonder if I could use that for a registration? right now it's on the front, and I got the idea from a buddy that did that for his chevelle, people always think it is a real plate.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 329
Likes: 55
From: Winfield West Virginia
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
West Virginia has requirements that are similar to Virginia. The number "1" would not be available in my state due to being "in service" on the governor's limo. If the number is currently used on ANY year vehicle, it cannot be issued to another vehicle. Fortunately, the letter-number format currently in use is different from what was used in the 1970's, so I was able to license my car with 70-454 on a 1970 WV license YOM plate. I had to take the actual plate to DMV for their inspection and approval for use. They photographed the plate and kept the pic on file with the registration info. The plate is good for 10 years at a total registration cost of $35, and will be renewable by me at that time. The YOM plate has the same restriction as the "antique" plate issued by the state (limited driving to shows, service, etc. and not for regular, daily driving), although I personally have never encountered a problem.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2012
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,312
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From: Richmond Texas
I have my 68 convert registered as an antique vehicle in VA. You have the option of getting a really ugly black and white plate with the next available number from the DMV or you can get what the DMV calls a "vintage" plate. It must be a plate you provide them in good condition issued the exact same year as the model year of the car with a number not in use already. So- I looked on ebay and found 1968 VA plates with a decent number. (there was a set of plates with 78 as the number for $400 that I considered, but did not buy). Now.....I found a place that will make new 1968 vintage plates with any number you want for $100. I think I will verify with the DMV that the 1968 plate "1" is not in use and re- register the car. Other drivers will think the car belongs to the governor.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,111
Likes: 1,229
From: Madeira Beach, FL
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I purchased a 1968 PA Dealer Plate.
Dealer plates actually have the year issued embossed.
If you just get an old standard yellow and blue plate than
you have to get a replica 1968 registration sticker.
Our Governor allowed vintage cars to display orig.
PA vintage plates several years ago.
I still need to send in the fee so I can display it.
I would imagine it needs to be an original plate as issued by VA
to qualify.
Marshal
Dealer plates actually have the year issued embossed.
If you just get an old standard yellow and blue plate than
you have to get a replica 1968 registration sticker.
Our Governor allowed vintage cars to display orig.
PA vintage plates several years ago.
I still need to send in the fee so I can display it.
I would imagine it needs to be an original plate as issued by VA
to qualify.
Marshal
Pro
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 568
Likes: 64
From: Sebastian,FL
When I lived in Florida I purchased 2 original 1965 never issued plates with consecutive numbers for the 65 t birds I had. I had to send the plate to the state for verification that they weren't issued to anything and after that they were good to go. When I moved to NY I bought a 1964/65 plate and had to do the same verification deal. I haven't done anything yet for my vette as a NY state 1977 plate is rather blah. I would be shocked if the dmv would allow you to use a plate that wasn't state issued.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
When I lived in Florida I purchased 2 original 1965 never issued plates with consecutive numbers for the 65 t birds I had. I had to send the plate to the state for verification that they weren't issued to anything and after that they were good to go. When I moved to NY I bought a 1964/65 plate and had to do the same verification deal. I haven't done anything yet for my vette as a NY state 1977 plate is rather blah. I would be shocked if the dmv would allow you to use a plate that wasn't state issued.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Down in Bulldog country
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St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23
I've used that company as well, to make repros for several vehicles. I had a really beat up plate for my '69, and they were able to make a copy which looks brand new, as well an 'E' plate for a restored CHP Mustang that I owned. Came out great...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
In VA you can also get the current issues Antique plates (the orange and blue ones) in customized lettering and numbers. I have 79 L82 on mine. You will have to make sure that the plate you want to create is not currently in use in any format. You can do that by going to DMVnow.com and entering the plate letter/number combo you want into the vanity plate purchase page to tell if it's available or not.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
In North Carolina they have a very liberal law:
So if anyone walks up to you ("any person") and says, "Lemme see your plate!" you gotta show it to em.
You don't have to register the plate, but the letter of the law states that it must be from the same year your car was manufactured. Ironic - my early 68 was manufactured in November 67 so it's first plate was from 1967. Sometimes I display this one:
Any motor vehicle of the age of 35 years or more from the date of manufacture may bear the license plates of the year of manufacture instead of the current registration plates, if the current registration plates are maintained within the vehicle and produced upon the request of any person.
You don't have to register the plate, but the letter of the law states that it must be from the same year your car was manufactured. Ironic - my early 68 was manufactured in November 67 so it's first plate was from 1967. Sometimes I display this one:
Last edited by PRNDL; Feb 6, 2016 at 05:41 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 268
From: southern tip of lake michigan Indiana
Finalist 2022 C1 of the Year - Modified
a few years ago i found an unused 1969 Indiana plate from my county in Florida. it's been on my camaro since. when i bought my 69 vette recently, i found an unused 69 indiana plate on e-bay.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 129
From: Fredericksburg Virginia
I purchased unused state issued plates, but the DMV didn't spend more than 0.5 seconds scrutinizing them. Perhaps because they were metal, black, white, and had random numbers on them.
If you went with something like "1", I'm not sure if you'd have to make sure there are no other Virginia plates with only "1"...I think those low number plates are reserved for the House of Delegates or something. Or, because it is a YOM plate, you're somehow exempt from the whole 'matching number' problem. But then, the doors would be open to a whole gaggle of "1" license plates running around. And that would make the police have a problem when you knock over the liqueur store.
If you can get the custom ones for a price you can live with, you can give it a whirl. I'd be 50/50 on if they'd let you register them, though.
If you went with something like "1", I'm not sure if you'd have to make sure there are no other Virginia plates with only "1"...I think those low number plates are reserved for the House of Delegates or something. Or, because it is a YOM plate, you're somehow exempt from the whole 'matching number' problem. But then, the doors would be open to a whole gaggle of "1" license plates running around. And that would make the police have a problem when you knock over the liqueur store.
If you can get the custom ones for a price you can live with, you can give it a whirl. I'd be 50/50 on if they'd let you register them, though.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
plates
In VA you can also get the current issues Antique plates (the orange and blue ones) in customized lettering and numbers. I have 79 L82 on mine. You will have to make sure that the plate you want to create is not currently in use in any format. You can do that by going to DMVnow.com and entering the plate letter/number combo you want into the vanity plate purchase page to tell if it's available or not.
