For someone who has done the historical plates in CA, the DMV I was at today was unfamiliar with historical plates so could not provide clarification on the process. They said that in addition to filling out their form 17a, where I had to sign and certify that the car would be used only for special events, they said I had to provide documentation that it would only be used for special events. When I asked what they meant by documentation since I have no idea what they could possibly mean (I already showed them I had classic car insurance), they could not give me an answer and so would not issue the plates. Does anyone know to what documentation they are referring?

I am doing historical plates for a '72 Corvette.

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who helped me out, especially Hazmatr and Greg. Went to a different DMV, and brought a statement using the language copied and pasted from Hazmatr. They were unfamiliar with historical plates here as well, but they brought the supervisor in to help, and he knew what to do. It saved me over $140.

As a side note, the second DMV was much more helpful, knowledgeable and professional. So it really can depend on the branch. In my case, at the first DMV, it was a guy who didn’t know anything, was obstinate and unhelpful and it was a woman who went out of her way to help me at the second DMV.

 

Brother, you got a total dunce. Ask for a supervisor. I have put Black plates and Blue plates on a dozen different cars, there is NO special event limitation and NO documentation required.
I came across the same problem 2 weeks ago when putting some YOM plates on a '78 Corvette. The girl at the counter had never done it before, nor had the 3 other girls she called over for help. Their final reply was "You can't use these "Blue plates" on this car because they're from the 1960's. .....All 3 as dumb as a bag of ******' rocks!
For all you guys that are not familiar with California plates, 1960's plates are the famous "Black plates", the Blue plates started in 1970 so these were EXACTLY the right plates for the program on a 1978 car.
I got back in line, explained this to the sign-in person, they sent me to the expedited line and it was going along quickly until one of the former girls saw me again and butted in saying "Those plates won't work for the year car he's doing". Now I had 4 dumb bitches scratching their heads, and leafing through manuals...
Finally a guy who's done this a million times comes over and explains the situation to them and that the plates are perfectly fine for the YOM program. The girls get real snooty that he showed them up and proceed to give me a bunch of attitude like "Well sir, we don't think these are correct, but we'll let it go this time". Yeah, right.
Anyway it turns out the CA DMV has hired a whole bunch of new staff to fill a ton of open spots and they have almost no training. The regular staff are pissed because stuff like this keeps happening and customers are getting more and more pissed too. This is your California government in action brother.
Just go back and ask for a supervisor, explain what you want and that the counter person did not seem to be familiar with the program. If you get another dope, just go to a different DMV branch.
It's them bro' not you.
Cheers, Greg

 

Greg is right, if you go to DMV ask for supervisor as soon as the person helping you doesn't understand what you want. YOM are not historical plates, just as cool, but you pay a fee every year for them.
If you want Historical Plates. add form - REG 265 with the 17A. On REG 265 state something like
"I certify I am the owner of the above-described vehicle, and as statutorily required, I also certify the frame, body, and motor are at least 25 years old; the vehicle is a collector’s item that will be used solely for exhibition, club activities, parades, and other functions of public interest; it is not a replica or aftermarket vehicle; will not be used for daily transportation except when routine maintenance is needed."

 

I can't speak for California nor 48 other states about DMV. But here is the stipulation on Historical Plates in my state.
Vehicle must be at least 26 yrs old. The plate can not be used for daily transportation. Its purpose is for parades, car shows, special events, etc.

The state of (enter yours here) says we are going to give you one hell of a deal on plates. When most of todays owners are paying over $200 a year, how does $30 for ten years sound? That's $3 a yr.

HOWEVER! You can't drive your car on the street.

Is the law enforced? IDK. Will a police officer pull you over with those plates? IDK. (Be a real jerk if he did)
I know there was a certain municipality that did just that years ago, just before an automotive event. Pulled over cars with historic plates. Lots of complaints. Outraged drivers. Did they get tickets? IDK

Here's the thing. In the event you do get stopped for questionable plates, simply say that its not running right and I am going up the road for some repairs.
A automotive shop is a recognized destination with your historic plate.

Having said all this, I elected to NOT purchase the historic plates. I don't want any limitations, nor do I want to get pulled over by the man in blue w/ attitude.
So, I pay the fee of original value of the Vette in 1977, unlimited / normal plate for $32 a yr.

 

Here in Alabama all license plates start with a two-digit number (example 47-XXXXX), in my example 47 is Madison County AL and back than it also had the year on the plate.

Tag Example 11 is Calhoun County.




I took a trip out to the internet and found a vintage 1973 Madison County AL tag and bought that than took it into the DMV and said I need to register my car and here is the tag I want to use. I walked out with a $15.00 fee and an expiration date of May 1 9999, yes my 1973 Corvette tag expires in the year 9999.

The vehicle registration itself is no different than any of my other cars other than the weird expiration date.

 

Same here in Nebraska except it's 30 years. $80 one time fee for Historical or Vintage plates.
My next door neighbor is a retired cop. I asked him once if he ever pulled someone over with historic/vintage plates & asked them where they were going.
He said no, and any cop who did would be a real *****!.. I've had mine for years...no problems..

 

Florida had some double date formats, like the 70-71 I have on the front. It's not registered, the number 10 designates Broward county, and much to my surprise MI designates a Licensed Independent MV Dealer.

 

Glad you got this resolved Mareque.

 

I've heard of people in CA painting their current issue plate to resemble a black plate.
Apparently you shouldn't do that.

I look at it as finding a creative way around a ridiculous rule imposed by petty tyrants who have no passion for cars.