Personal Plate Pickup Protocol (in Ca.)

[Joshs]

When I purchased my car, it came with a single sequential plate mounted on the rear, nothing in the front. I ordered custom plates, and am required to pick them up from the DMV when they arrive (soon I hope).

I have an aftermarket front license plate holder, but am unsure if I want to actually want to commit it to the body of the car.

Does anyone know what the procedure is for plate pickup? Do they want to see both plates mounted on the car before I can drive off?

-Josh

 

[CDX_NSX]

As far as I know, they don't inspect your car when they give you your new plates. After all, you're not required to drive the car for which you are getting the plates to the DMV office.

 

[Joshs]

The DMV in Torrance (220th and Western) didnt bother to indicate that the front license plate holder was required when they inspected my car before registration. I guess they had more important compliance features to deal with. Some overlook the rule.... while others don't. Maybe Pasadena (Rosemead and Colorado) will overlook yours upon inspection.

Danny Yee.

I just renewed the registration by mail, which I've already received. I also ordered new plates, and was told I'd get notification by mail in 8-12 weeks when the plates were ready for pickup (in Santa Monica). But I got the implication that there was some sort of inspection of the vehicle, since I was replacing a single plate (if I had both I could have mailed them in). Presumably this would be more of a 'yes you have the car' rather than a more in-depth inspection.

As far as I know, they don't inspect your car when they give you your new plates. After all, you're not required to drive the car for which you are getting the plates to the DMV office.

This sounds like a more reasonable policy - perphaps it even says this in the paper that I'm eagerly anticipating

-Josh

 

[Malibu Rapper]

I picked up my personal plates in Thousand Oaks. All they did was go back to some cabinet to get the envelope with my plates. Then they took my original plates and exchanged them. No inspection process at all. The gal did ask what my plate meant though.

 

[NSXWIND]

DMV don't care I guess, I even had my wife pick up those plates for me :biggrin:

 

[Brad]

I have picked up many plates from the DMV in Pasadena. You just make your appointment, go in and pick up the plates, maybe a total of 1/2 hours worth of waiting and stuff. They don't have time for anything else, besides your car might not be running at the time you pick them up. Not required at all to show your car unless you are there for a fix it ticket or something strange.

 

[ss_md]

The only thing you have to do is turn in your old plates. If you only have one then they make you sign a form stating the plate was lost or stolen. Then, if the plate was lost no big deal. They get weird if the plate was stolen and want to know if you reported it to the police. HTH

 

[Da Hapa]

The only thing you have to do is turn in your old plates. If you only have one then they make you sign a form stating the plate was lost or stolen. Then, if the plate was lost no big deal. They get weird if the plate was stolen and want to know if you reported it to the police. HTH

Dead on correct.

 

[Joshs]

The only thing you have to do is turn in your old plates. If you only have one then they make you sign a form stating the plate was lost or stolen. Then, if the plate was lost no big deal. They get weird if the plate was stolen and want to know if you reported it to the police. HTH

I didn't want to report it stolen since that'd require a police report, and although for some reason the dealer said claiming stolen would be 'easier', I'm not about to falsify a report, especially when there's no need to. Plus I just never got a front plate, even when I registered the car for the first time, so 'lost' seems the way to go.

Thanks for all the info, looks like there's no need to attach the front holder just yet!

-Josh - soon to be driving around as 'JH4 NA1' !