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DMV Brings Back Retro License Plates From 50s, 60s & 70s
From top to bottom: black plates from the 1960s, blue from the 1970s and our current plates. Yellow plates from the 1950s can be viewed here. (Photo by ToGa Wanderings via the Creative Commons on Flickr)
The California DMV is taking orders for license plates modeled on the ones the agency issued back in the day: yellow from the 1950s, black from the 1960s and blue from the 1970s.
If you're interested, you can fill out a pre-application form on the agency's website for "legacy plates." It will cost $50 for these plates.
The program isn't a sure thing. The DMV will need to get 7,500 orders to start the program, and it will be canceled if it doesn't get those orders by January 1, 2015. Once it gets enough orders, it will take 9-12 months for you to get your plate. The license plates won't be exact vintage replicas: for instance, all license plates have to be "reflectorized" under California law. (There are more FAQs about the program here.)
The program was started to give classic car collectors a way to get plates that match the era of their vehicles, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
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