Found a '46 license plate for my '46 Bantam!!!

In California (and many other states), the DMV will allow you to use "Year of Manufacture" license plates on older vehicles. In California, the "YOM" program applies to 1962 and earlier vehicles (extending to ‘67 and earlier in 2009). What is required is a currently registered vehicle, the plates must be authentic and servicable, the proper type for the vehicle at the time it was manufactured, and the number cannot conflict with any plate number still in use.

For several years, I have been looking for a reasonably priced 1946 California trailer plate to put on my 1946 Bantam T3-C. (black/white 1945 California "TLR" plate with yellow/black 1946 metal tab.) :toetap:

I finally found one!!! R) It’s in good shape and doesn’t need restoration. (Before purchase, I confirmed with the California DMV that the number is clear and the plate can be assigned to my trailer by submitting a DMV form REG 352 and payment of $35.)

I completed the process at the DMV today. I now have current official paperwork from the California DMV verifying that my Bantam T3-C, serial number 9466, was manufactured in 1946. This is in addition to my copy of the original title certificate issued to the original owner in 1946 showing year of first sale as 1946 and the title certificate with the same information issued to my father in 1966.

I'll post a photo as soon as the plate is on my trailer.

In the meantime, here is a photo of a 1951 California trailer plate on a 1951 M100, taken at the Laguna Beach Patriot's Day Parade several years ago (if you look carefully, you will see that the plate has been restored and repainted, a no-no in California but done all the time):



And a photo of someone else's 1945 California trailer plate:



And a '45 passenger car plate with '46 tag




Here are two good resources for "YOM" plate registration in California:

http://www.ply33.com/Misc/yom

http://www.davesclp.com/yomregistration.htm


My comments on the California “YOM” license plate program:

Although the DMV clerk thought he was familiar with the "YOM" license plate program, it took a supervisor to complete the paperwork.

Here is what you will need in California:

1. The appropriate license plate for your trailer's year of manufacture. (In my case a 1945 trailer plate and 1946 tag.) It must be in good condition and not a repaint or professionally restored plate. (If your plate needs restoration, get it done after the DMV process is finished.) The plate number must be "DMV clear," i.e., not currently assigned to any other vehicle.

2. DMV form REG 352 (not available online, but can be mailed to you upon request by telephoning the DMV main number).

3. Current registration and your old plate.

4. Original title certificate (not a copy).

5. Proof of insurance.

6. Documentation showing that your plate configuration is the proper configuration for your vehicle in the year manufactured. (Available in picture form on several Internet sites, just google "[state] year of manufacture license plate."

7. Documentation proving the year of manufacture and year of first registration of your vehicle.

8. Photos of your vehicle are helpful. (In California, you need take your vehicle to the DMV for inspection under the YOM program only if it is not currently registered.)

Be prepared to wait, and be very patient. In my case, my original title and current registration show the body type as "BXSI," which I assume means "box side." However, that designation is not currently used by the DMV and it took a supervisor calling Sacramento to find a way to work around a computer block against simply changing the designation to the currently used "Utility."

Here is a link to a chart showing YOM requirements in various states (not currently being updated, but a good start):

http://www.thebolthole.com/misc/yom.html


Is anyone else here using a "year of manufacture" license plate on their trailer?

 

Way cool, I like the look of older plates.