California Ham Radio Plates how-to

Today's topic: Getting your California License Plates with your FCC issued Ham Radio Callsign.

I figure I should post this since I was looking for this very information and I'm sure someone else is or has too.

For me, the process has been somewhat of a pain. First off, mistakes were made the first time around and payment wasn't included. It takes $20 to process the request in California. This is a one time fee and they will not let you slide at all. Infact, the state won't even tell you that you forgot it. However, I caught the mistake a few days after putting it in the mail. My fault completely as I just wasn't paying attention. Also, there is no online option to do this in California.

Round 2... I had made copies of the original forms so that way I wouldn't have to fill everything out a second time should something go wrong. This time, I included said payment. As a pro tip, look over the submission form very carefully. On the back of the form is a website with fees. Click on it and find out the fees you need. So off the form went along with a statement of facts, a copy of my FCC license, a check, a printable version of the FCC licensing site with updated address... 3 weeks pass and I get a letter in the mail. My request was denied. They said they wouldn't take photocopies. Honestly couldn't even tell it was a copy. The were referencing the DMV forms and my FCC license.

Round 3! Being downright determined to figure this crap out, I found the PDF where I can type in all my info once again. Use this editable PDF only https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/wcm/c...717-3e8cdae51255/reg17a.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CVID= and fill out ALL need info including dates. Just about the only thing you cant fill out is the signature. Print in duplex mode at a slow hi res speed as this makes the ink very dark and then sign.

Once done with that, fill out this statement of facts form completely with their PDF and again only sign. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIBhAC&usg=AOvVaw3kM7fhLbgxJ5YBl7nVOBx7https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjAAegQIBhAC&usg=AOvVaw3kM7fhLbgxJ5YBl7nVOBx7 Fill out the top only (name/vin/etc) and section G. In SECTION G state that you will retain your current plates till the new ones arrive.. Then the old plates will be properly destroyed. Use their PDF to fill out the dates, print the same way as above, then sign.

A copy of your FCC license is needed. Go to the FCC website into their system, go to your callsign, and you can print an "Official Copy". Don't send the original you got, send this instead. It'll have all the updated info anyway. Print the same way as above and remember to sign.

Write that $20 check to the California DMV. Again make sure it's all properly filled out as they'll bounce your request back for practically nothing.

Then send it in to the proper address.

Now you should be in business. I sent my request in on 9-14. It's now 9-27 and they just processed the check. With that, don't be in a rush. I'll update when the plates officially arrive and hopefully they don't contain the weird spacing issue.

Hopefully this info will help someone.

-PyroTaco

 

The plates literally just showed up today. 1 month and 13 days later. Just glad they are here.

-Pyrotaco