Q Lately I’ve observed more “old-fashioned” black-and-yellow license plates on autos, both brand new and otherwise. How does one request replacing an existing plate with a personalized old-fashioned one?
Herm Kligerman
Hayward
A Get in line — and what a long line it has become.
Q In the past six months I have noticed vehicles with a license plate that is a throwback to the 1960s. The plate has a black background with yellow lettering. These were discontinued in 1970 and replaced with the blue background and yellow lettering. What’s behind this retro plate? … Why are they so popular?
Mike Jefferson, Rich Wiseman and many more
A Because they look so cool. For me, they recall the fun days of watching Edd Byrnes play “Cookie,” a protege to private eye Efrem Zimbalist Jr. in “77 Sunset Strip.” That was a weekly must-watch when I was a kid.
The DMV began issuing these legacy plates last year once 7,500 requests had been received. As of this month, more than 150,000 owners have purchased replicas of California plates similar to those issued in the 1960s.
These retro plates can be ordered for any year model auto, commercial vehicle, motorcycle or trailer for a reasonable $50 fee at a field office, auto club or by mail to the Department of Motor Vehicles, Special Processing Unit, MS D238, P.O. Box 932345, Sacramento, CA 94232-3450.
The plates are not exact replicas, as today’s license plates must be reflectorized. But 150,000 folks think they are close — and cool — enough.
And, as I reported last year, the program also offered vehicle owners the opportunity to purchase replicas of California license plates similar to those issued in the 1950s and 1970s, but only the 1960s plate reached the required 7,500 minimum.
Q If you have a green carpool sticker and the lease is running out, is there a process to transfer that to a new car that fits the same emission profile? May be a long shot but worth a try.
Vinod Kasturi
A No. Stickers stay with the car. There is only one way to transfer. If your car with a green sticker is totaled in an accident, you can get another sticker if the replacement car is eligible.
Q My lovely wife of 15 years resided in Pittsburgh in the 1980s for a couple of years. This year she was denied renewal of her California driver’s license due to a citation said to have been issued during her time in Pittsburgh. She does not recall getting a ticket.
Resolution came only after a convoluted back-and-forth process with the Pennsylvania DMV, which included payment of a small fine. We never got a copy of the citation or an explanation of the offense and I don’t think the California DMV knew any more than we did. Still, California officials held up renewal of her license until they were notified by Pittsburgh that their ransom had been paid.
Mike Daniels
Santa Clara
A Ransom fits. Her bill came to $70. I think she got off cheap.
Q Lane-splitting is called filtering in the United Kingdom? Must be because it filters out idiots from the gene pool.
Scott M.
Belmont
A Please, treat lane-splitters with care and respect.
Join Gary Richards for an hourlong chat noon Wednesday at www.mercurynews.com/live-chats. Look for him at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com or 408-920-5335.
