Trying to Save My Original License Plates

[LAA66]

 We moved from California to Oregon 2 years ago and brought along the Challenger which has the original Ca. plates from 1970. I had paid the registration online since mail is no longer being forwarded to our new address thus no DMV notice of renewal. The tags never came of coarse so I'm stuck with out of date (but paid) registration. I'm afraid if I do a change of address with Ca. DMV for the car they will tell me to get it registered up here in Oregon and I will lose my Original plates forever.

 Any ideas on how to keep my plates?

[Oldschool]

Contact the Oregon DMV and see what they say about it. Perhaps there is a way and they can tell you....

[Cuda Cody]

Can't register a car to an out of state address.  It's a pretty big no no as some states have very low registration fees and other have super high fees.  Plus the state you live in views it has a crime because you are not paying your tax.  WA has a department just for finding people that live in WA and register their car in OR because it's so much cheaper in OR.

Good thing is you can sell your CA plate and buy an old OR plate to put on the car.  Oregon is one of the cheaper states to register a car.  Check out ebay seller "1972buick" as he is in Portland and has lots of Oregon plates.  I've bought from him many times and his prices are high, but he has good stuff.

[67vertman]

Most states, like California, require you to get new tags. However, I have also heard some states may let you keep the original plates on the car, so as stated check with your local DMV.

[LAA66]

 It is remotely possible that we may move back someday, thus we are renting out our house down there and I'm retaining my contractors license for Ca. just in case. We do have an address to property we own down there but my Drivers License is in Oregon.

 

[Cuda Cody]

In WA the person owns the old plates.  So if I move to another state and register the car there for many years and then move back to WA as long as I still own the WA old plates I can re register them to my car.  By own I mean "have in possession".  They make you bring the plates in to them for inspection to make sure they are original.  Might want to check with both CA and OR to see how they do it.  I would not want to be pulled over with a cool car, no current registration and a disgruntled cop.

It is remotely possible that we may move back someday, thus we are renting out our house down there and I'm retaining my contractors license for Ca. just in case. We do have an address to property we own down there but my Drivers License is in Oregon.

 

[LAA66]

 I hear ya its been parked over winter, getting a new Oregon plate would be a must if it is driven.

 I imagine if the registration in Ca. is paid yearly the plate would be good even though no tags on the car? I will check within Oregon DMV for more info, as for Ca. I don't think you can talk to a live person without standing in the line.

[dougs bs23]

can you register the car to the address of the property you own there?  just a thought to me sounds like a change of address   

[tman]

I'd say keep the original plates.  Here are the rules of Oregon.  Basically, the rule is "Within 30 days of becoming a resident of or domiciled in Oregon you must title and register your vehicle, including obtaining Oregon license plates. Oregon requires that you title a vehicle in Oregon if you want to register it here."
They may have a Collector Car type rule where you can use vintage Oregon plates if that is what you like. 

http://www.oregon.gov/odot/dmv/pages/new2or/moving.aspx

You can get Special Interest Plate like the one listed at bottom of page of below link. 

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/pages/vehicle/plateregular.aspx#antique

[LAA66]

 The person at Oregon DMV simply stated you must get it registered here. NO further comments.
 Ca DMV said Please wait 1 hour for next agent. I'll try calling again first thing tomorrow morning.

 I'll check to see if Ca. has the car listed as current since the fees are paid just the tags were sent back by the post office to DMV, then at least it would technically be legal to drive down there (we are 30 min away in Southern Oregon)

 Another thought is give it to my son in California and he stores it up here occasionally. Maybe he would let me drive it once in a while if I wash it and fill it with gas.

[magicr]

I have no knowledge of the rules in California, but I do know that if you find an Oregon License plate specific to your year you can register that plate as an antique Auto plate, with a one time fee, and if I remember correctly it was not that much, the only stipulation is that you can't use it as a daily driver, it has to be going to a parade, car show, etc. which is pretty vague. I never put the antique sticker in the year location, and have driven my car like this for 10 years, and have never been pulled over. Plus in 1970 the Oregon Plates were Blue with yellow numbers, like California...

[Cuda Cody]

Same as WA, just one time fee of around $80 and you never have to register again.  If you're having to pay each year for CA plates you might want to switch to OR just for the money savings.

I have no knowledge of the rules in California, but I do know that if you find an Oregon License plate specific to your year you can register that plate as an antique Auto plate, with a one time fee, and if I remember correctly it was not that much, the only stipulation is that you can't use it as a daily driver, it has to be going to a parade, car show, etc. which is pretty vague. I never put the antique sticker in the year location, and have driven my car like this for 10 years, and have never been pulled over. Plus in 1970 the Oregon Plates were Blue with yellow numbers, like California...

[HP2]

You could register it in California and drive it in Oregon and provided you never get pulled over or are involved in an accident, might never have it questioned.

If by chance you ever are asked for license and registration and it can be ascertained you did not just move there (you have an Oregon license with a Cailfornia registration and there is a greater than 30 day gap between the two) you could open yourself up to all sorts of problems, the least of which could be an improper registration ticket or as bad as an impounded vehicle.

Registrations are a revenue source for states. They typically don't take kindly to you circumventing their revenue process.

Keep your California plates in case you move back. Pickup some equivalent Oregon plates, pay their fee, be done with it.

[LAA66]

 Great advice, a lot to consider. So far the vintage plates sound like the way to go with so few miles it will be driven. 

 Still trying to get information from California as to whether I own my original plates and can re-register with them at a later date. Hopefully next week someone at DMV will have an answer. If I had to keep paying Ca. registration it's $90/yr.

[LAA66]

 As I thought the registration is current in Ca. If i wanted to keep paying the fees it will stay as is until it is registered in another state as that state will send a notice to the Ca. DMV .

 The person at DMV also said if I ever decide to re-register in Ca. the cars information will still be in the system, just bring in the old plates, proof it is still my car, fill out a form and they will give me tags for the original plates.

 As long as the laws don't change and, or, the system is updated.