[SCCC] Ham License Plates in CA

[Aaron Lusk]

I always recommend that everyone remove their amateur radio plates before
selling or trading in a vehicle; the DMV will just issue you new regular
plates at your local office and you can retain the amateur radio plates to
install on another car.

When purchasing a new car, let the dealership handle the standard process
with the DMV to request regular license plates.  Then complete the
paperwork to request new amateur radio plates or transfer the ones you
retained.



On Mon, Mar 16, 2026 at 7:11 PM NA6MB Mike <na6mb.mike at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> Remember Amatuer radio plates are not vanity license plants do not go
> through the normal vanity process.
> ----‐‐--------
> Try telling that to a car dealership.
> "We dont do vanity plates."
> But....
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 16, 2026, 2:46 PM Aaron Lusk via SCCC <sccc at contesting.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I just order a new set in December when I got my new call sign. The
>> easiest way is to get the PDF off the DMV website filled out, print it,
>> print a copy of your FCC license, and mail all of it to Sacramento with a
>> check. There is a specific address you need to send it to that is on the
>> bottom of the PDF form.
>>
>> Remember Amatuer radio plates are not vanity license plants do not go
>> through the normal vanity process. The online application for a vanity
>> license plate is also programmed to reject Amatuer radio calls. You must
>> use the most current special use plate application that specifically has a
>> section for Amatuer radio plates.
>>
>> You can only do this via mail or at a local DMV office and half the
>> people at the local DMV offices have no clue what they are doing when it
>> comes to Amatuer radio plates. I have even walked in with the PDF form
>> filled out and they still needed to get a supervisor.
>>
>> Aaron G. Lusk, K6US
>> W6FSC WRVX201
>> 559-905-4180
>> Sent from iPhone
>>
>> > On Mar 16, 2026, at 1:33 PM, Kent Olsen <kilo6dko at gmail.com> wrote:
>> >
>> > I would say if you can do it online, that is the way to go. I went
>> into the
>> > DMV to order N6WT and was told it can't be done. I complained, and a
>> > supervisor had to do it because no one knew how. Then it took 3 months
>> to
>> > get the plates.
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> > 73
>> > Kent
>> > N6WT
>> >
>> >
>> >> On Mon, Mar 16, 2026 at 12:21 PM Dennis Younker NE6I <NE6I at cox.net>
>> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> And: https://california.public.law/codes/vehicle_code_section_5005
>> >>
>> >> And: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/uploads/2020/03/reg17a-1.pdf
>> >>
>> >> Looks to me like they can be ordered online nowadays.
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: SCCC <sccc-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Steve Orland |
>> >> AA6AA via SCCC
>> >> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2026 12:05 PM
>> >> To: 'N8UM' <n8um at comcast.net>; Sccc at contesting.com
>> >> Subject: Re: [SCCC] Ham License Plates in CA
>> >>
>> >> John,
>> >>
>> >> Try this link:
>> >>
>> https://vehicleregistrationexperts.com/uploads/3/5/0/5/35051100/reg17a.pdf
>> >>
>> >> GL and 73,
>> >>
>> >> Steve AA6AA
>> >>
>> >> -----Original Message-----
>> >> From: SCCC <sccc-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of N8UM via SCCC
>> >> Sent: Monday, March 16, 2026 11:26 AM
>> >> To: Sccc at contesting.com
>> >> Subject: [SCCC] Ham License Plates in CA
>> >>
>> >> I’ve recently relocated to Escondido from Oak Ridge, TN.   I had seen a
>> >> nice write up on hints for applying for ham plates in CA and of course
>> >> cannot find the link now.  Anyone have any related links they would
>> share?
>> >>
>> >> John B.  N8UM
>> >> _______________________________________________
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>> >> SCCC at contesting.com
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>> >>
>> >>
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>> >>
>> >>
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>

-- 
*Aaron G. Lusk, **K6US*
*W6FSC WRVX201*
559-905-4180