[mmmmQuattro]

we can order these in South Australia, but they charge you $150 / year.
I swore I would never pay the government that much money for just plates.

but they just look so good

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by mmmmQuattro

we can order these in South Australia, but they charge you $150 / year.
I swore I would never pay the government that much money for just plates.

but they just look so good

$150 + normal registration? Damn! For vanity plates here in California it's either an initial fee of $49 or $100(depending on the style), then just normal registration cost. It may be like $30 more, I'm not 100%. Each year my registration costs about $400 flat.

I agree, the government gets so greedy with their money. Pure profit for them to just charge $150/year for plates, especially if you have to pay for them up front too. They look great and at the end of the day $150 would be worth it, just not to the government! We have a high enough gas-tax as it is and it's still worthless in terms of road improvement like they promise, our DMV still sucks big time, etc. (California has the highest Gas Tax in the United States) I heard on the radio the other day that they spent $6,000 per sign for those "Your Tax Dollars at Work" posts they put up. Insult to injury!

[FaRKle!]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

Each year my registration costs about $400 flat.

We have a high enough gas-tax as it is and it's still worthless in terms of road improvement like they promise, our DMV still sucks big time, etc. (California has the highest Gas Tax in the United States) I heard on the radio the other day that they spent $6,000 per sign for those "Your Tax Dollars at Work" posts they put up. Insult to injury!

Not anymore it isn't. I just got my renewal notice after the gas tax/registration increase. My registration is now $500, a 25% increase from last year.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Not anymore it isn't. I just got my renewal notice after the gas tax/registration increase. My registration is now $500, a 25% increase from last year.

Yikes, if it wasn't enough we have resources making law enforcement officers practically road pirates...

Remember to Vote YES on Prop 6 folks, repeal that bull.

[eluded]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

Remember to Vote YES on Prop 6 folks, repeal that bull.

But $.59 on the dollar goes to road repairs and transportation projects.

Of that 59 cents, I believe just over half actually goes to fix the roads. #Winning

[roastbeef]

CVC 5202. (a) A license plate issued by this state or any other jurisdiction within or without the United States shall be attached upon receipt and remain attached during the period of its validity to the vehicle for which it is issued while being operated within this state or during the time the vehicle is being held for sale in this state, or until the time that a vehicle with special or identification plates is no longer entitled to those plates; and a person shall not operate, and an owner shall not knowingly permit to be operated, upon any highway, a vehicle unless the license plate is so attached. A special permit issued in lieu of plates shall be attached and displayed on the vehicle for which the permit was issued during the period of the permit’s validity.

its pretty clear, you can't make your own plate. the plate in the original post is fake.

[ASAP]

being a European, I will say there is exactly nothing cool about them... in addition they take up a lot of space

[pikkagtr]

Originally Posted by ASAP

being a European, I will say there is exactly nothing cool about them... in addition they take up a lot of space

People tend to desire what as they can't get
Forbidden fruit
I have a good friend who moved back to Japan after college here in the bay
We still keep in touch and he really wants to get a mid 90s trans am he's practically in love with it no joke
Can't really buy them in Kyoto
Go figure

[RM7]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

CVC 5202. (a) A license plate issued by this state or any other jurisdiction within or without the United States shall be attached upon receipt and remain attached during the period of its validity to the vehicle for which it is issued while being operated within this state or during the time the vehicle is being held for sale in this state, or until the time that a vehicle with special or identification plates is no longer entitled to those plates; and a person shall not operate, and an owner shall not knowingly permit to be operated, upon any highway, a vehicle unless the license plate is so attached. A special permit issued in lieu of plates shall be attached and displayed on the vehicle for which the permit was issued during the period of the permit’s validity.

its pretty clear, you can't make your own plate. the plate in the original post is fake.

He could be in compliance if he has a state issued license plate in the front.

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

He could be in compliance if he has a state issued license plate in the front.

Whether right or wrong, I like your clever dissection of the code!

[roastbeef]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

He could be in compliance if he has a state issued license plate in the front.

Oh ok.

Sign here and have a nice day.

[dzvero]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

$150 + normal registration? Damn! For vanity plates here in California it's either an initial fee of $49 or $100(depending on the style), then just normal registration cost. It may be like $30 more, I'm not 100%. Each year my registration costs about $400 flat.

I agree, the government gets so greedy with their money. Pure profit for them to just charge $150/year for plates, especially if you have to pay for them up front too. They look great and at the end of the day $150 would be worth it, just not to the government! We have a high enough gas-tax as it is and it's still worthless in terms of road improvement like they promise, our DMV still sucks big time, etc. (California has the highest Gas Tax in the United States) I heard on the radio the other day that they spent $6,000 per sign for those "Your Tax Dollars at Work" posts they put up. Insult to injury!

you pay the same fee for extra plates every year in addition to the regular fee

[P1]

I'm at a complete loss as to why anyone would do this. Same with the people who have euro plates mounted BEHIND US plates.

Seriously. It looks awful.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by P1et

I'm at a complete loss as to why anyone would do this. Same with the people who have euro plates mounted BEHIND US plates.

Seriously. It looks awful.

Well originally it was for freshly imported vehicles, people would just throw their new, US plates on top. Now it's kind of a ricer thing where people get custom EU plates saying "EUR0G4NG xD".

But the EU-style CA plates look pretty cool and aren't poser-y. I guess the main reason people would want to do it is to improve the overall aesthetic of the car, considering the rear mounting areas are shaped for the longer EU design of plates.

[Fritzer]

UPDATE:

So the owner of this white Mercedes did call me back Friday evening after I left a note on her car. She said that her and her husband did a European delivery of the car, and while they were over there taking delivery and on vacation, they had those plates custom made, using the same letters as their official CA registration. When the car got into the states they applied the stickers and they have had in on like that for about three years now. They said they have never been pulled over or ran into any issues with it, no one has really mentioned it to her. The only thing she said is that sometimes a LEO will pull up behind her and follow for a bit, but it seems after they call in the plates they leave her alone. Probably because the plates come back valid, with legit registration stickers, and it's a bone stock E350 with a middle-aged woman driving.

Interesting to say the least though. Case closed, relatively! :P

[P1]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

Well originally it was for freshly imported vehicles, people would just throw their new, US plates on top. Now it's kind of a ricer thing where people get custom EU plates saying "EUR0G4NG xD".

But the EU-style CA plates look pretty cool and aren't poser-y. I guess the main reason people would want to do it is to improve the overall aesthetic of the car, considering the rear mounting areas are shaped for the longer EU design of plates.

I still don't get it. Maybe I don't like the way my driver's license looks, so I'll go get one from Zimbabwe and turn it into one of theirs.

It's a number plate. Just use what's provided to you. The one on the Mercedes looks a million time worse than a stock California plate.

[CigarPundit]

Originally Posted by Fritzer

UPDATE:

So the owner of this white Mercedes did call me back Friday evening after I left a note on her car. She said that her and her husband did a European delivery of the car, and while they were over there taking delivery and on vacation, they had those plates custom made, using the same letters as their official CA registration. When the car got into the states they applied the stickers and they have had in on like that for about three years now. They said they have never been pulled over or ran into any issues with it, no one has really mentioned it to her. The only thing she said is that sometimes a LEO will pull up behind her and follow for a bit, but it seems after they call in the plates they leave her alone. Probably because the plates come back valid, with legit registration stickers, and it's a bone stock E350 with a middle-aged woman driving.

Interesting to say the least though. Case closed, relatively! :P

Thanks for the update! Hmm, maybe I’ll order one and take a chance.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by P1et

I still don't get it. Maybe I don't like the way my driver's license looks, so I'll go get one from Zimbabwe and turn it into one of theirs.

It's a number plate. Just use what's provided to you. The one on the Mercedes looks a million time worse than a stock California plate.

I think it's a case of wanting to stand out. I don't get it either. Sort of like Americans clamoring for the EU split rear view mirror with the outer edge magnified. I hate those things, but some people love them.

[shay2nak]

All you need now is to find someone to make a black legacy Euro plate. lol

[BayE30]

i think they bone stock Benz with a middle aged women driving has alot to do with not getting pulled over. I know for a fact that my m3 with all the CF bits all over running those plates wouldnt make it a mile without getting pulled over...

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by SFCM3

i think they bone stock Benz with a middle aged women driving has alot to do with not getting pulled over. I know for a fact that my m3 with all the CF bits all over running those plates wouldnt make it a mile without getting pulled over...

Does your carbon spell out "Die Pigs" or "Kaepernick"? If not, 99% of people and cops are unlikely to see an M3 as any different than an E Class.

My wife would be hard pressed to tell a bog stock 718 from a GT2.

[Fritzer]

Originally Posted by P1et

I still don't get it. Maybe I don't like the way my driver's license looks, so I'll go get one from Zimbabwe and turn it into one of theirs.

It's a number plate. Just use what's provided to you. The one on the Mercedes looks a million time worse than a stock California plate.

Eh! Personal preference I guess, or the desire to stand out and look "exotic".