What Black License Plates Are and Who Can Get Them

California's black license plates are issued to vehicles registered before 1976. If your car was first registered in California during that era, you may be able to get black plates instead of the standard white ones. These plates are sometimes called "YOM plates" (Year of Manufacture) because they display the year your vehicle was built rather than a registration year.

Black plates are purely optional. You keep your current registration and renewal schedule — the only thing that changes is the appearance of your plate. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues them through a straightforward process, and there is no extra fee beyond your standard registration renewal cost.

Not every vehicle qualifies. Your car must have been first registered in California before January 1, 1976, and you must be able to prove that date with documentation from the DMV or your original registration records.

Key Takeaways

  • Black plates are only for vehicles first registered in California before 1976, and you will need DMV records or your original registration to prove the date.
  • You request black plates when you renew your registration, either in person at a DMV office, by mail, or through the DMV website.
  • There is no additional cost — black plates are issued at no charge during your regular registration renewal.
  • The process takes the same time as a standard registration renewal, typically two to three weeks by mail or same-day if you visit in person.

Verify Your Vehicle's Registration Date

Before you request black plates, confirm that your vehicle actually qualifies. The registration date must be January 1, 1976 or earlier. Check your current registration card — it shows the original registration date, not the renewal date. If you have lost your registration card, you can look up this information through the DMV.

Visit the California DMV website and use the "Check Registration Status" tool, or call the DMV at 1-800-777-0133. Have your vehicle identification number (VIN) and license plate number ready. The DMV representative will confirm whether your vehicle meets the 1976 cutoff and whether you are may be able to access for black plates.

If your registration documents show a date after 1975, you do not may have access to for black plates. Some vehicles have been re-registered or transferred in ways that update the registration date, which can make them ineligible even if the car itself is older.

Gather Your Documentation

You will need your current vehicle registration card and a valid form of identification. If you are renewing by mail or online, have these documents nearby but you will not mail them in — the DMV already has them on file. If you are visiting a DMV office in person, bring the originals or certified copies.

If you cannot locate your original registration card or have questions about your vehicle's registration history, contact the DMV before you attempt to renew. A DMV representative can pull your file and confirm what documentation you need. This step prevents delays if your records are incomplete or if there is a discrepancy in the registration date.

Request Black Plates During Registration Renewal

You can request black plates only when you renew your vehicle registration. You cannot switch to black plates mid-registration cycle. When your renewal notice arrives in the mail, it will include an option to request black plates if your vehicle qualifies. Mark that option on the form.

If you renew online through the DMV website, log into your account, select your vehicle, and look for the black plate option during the renewal process. The checkbox or selection field will appear only if your vehicle's registration date qualifies. If you do not see the option, your vehicle does not meet the requirements.

If you renew in person at a DMV office, tell the representative that you want black plates. They will confirm your may be able to access on the spot and process the request as part of your renewal. Bring your registration card and ID.

Complete Your Renewal by Mail, Online, or In Person

By mail: Fill out the renewal form, mark the black plate option, and mail it to the address shown on your renewal notice along with your payment. Processing takes two to three weeks. Your new black plates will arrive separately from your registration documents.

Online: Visit the California DMV website, log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, select your vehicle, choose the black plate option during renewal, and pay online. You will receive a confirmation email. New plates arrive in two to three weeks.

In person: Visit your local DMV office with your registration card, ID, and payment. Tell the representative you want black plates. They will process the renewal when ready, and you can drive away with a temporary registration document. Your black plates will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.

Understand What Happens After You Order

Once you request black plates, the DMV will mail them to the address on your registration. You will receive your new registration card and your black plates separately, usually within two to three weeks. Until the plates arrive, continue using your current plates — they remain valid during this transition period.

When your black plates arrive, remove your old plates and install the new ones. California law requires that you display current, legible plates at all times, so do not delay once the new plates arrive. Keep your old plates — you do not need to return them to the DMV.

Your registration renewal date does not change. Black plates do not affect your renewal schedule or any other aspect of your registration. You will renew on the same month and year as before.

Troubleshoot Common Issues

If you requested black plates but your renewal was processed without them, contact the DMV when ready. This sometimes happens if the system did not register your request or if there was a discrepancy in your vehicle's registration date. Call 1-800-777-0133 with your license plate number and VIN, and a representative can resubmit your request or explain why your vehicle does not may have access to.

If your vehicle's registration date is unclear or disputed, the DMV can research your file. Bring any original registration documents you have, even if they are old or partially illegible. The DMV has historical records and can often resolve date questions that seem ambiguous on your current card.

If you moved after requesting black plates and did not update your address with the DMV, your plates may be returned as undeliverable. Update your address when ready through the DMV website or by visiting an office. The DMV can remail your plates to your new address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get black plates if my car was built before 1976 but first registered in California after that date?

No. The qualification is based on the original California registration date, not the vehicle's manufacture year. If your car was first registered in California in 1976 or later, you do not may have access to, even if the car itself is older.

Do black plates cost extra?

No. Black plates are issued at no additional charge. You pay only your standard registration renewal fee.

What if I already renewed my registration without requesting black plates?

You will have to wait until your next renewal to request them. Black plates can only be ordered during the renewal process, not between renewals. Make a note of your renewal date so you remember to request them next time.

Can I transfer black plates to a different vehicle?

No. Black plates are tied to the specific vehicle and its registration. If you sell the car or buy a different one, the black plates stay with the original vehicle. Your new vehicle would need its own black plate request during its renewal, and only if it also qualifies.

How long do black plates last?

Black plates last as long as your vehicle registration. When you renew your registration, your black plates remain valid. You do not need to replace them unless they become damaged or illegible, in which case you can request a replacement through the DMV.