# Why did the Cal dmv send new plates?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-did-the-cal-dmv-send-new-plates/18500>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 21, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-did-the-cal-dmv-send-new-plates/18500 "2008-08-21T22:45:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![domeier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ec9cab/32.png) [@domeier](https://community.cartalk.com/u/domeier)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-did-the-cal-dmv-send-new-plates/18500/1 "2008-08-21T22:45:07Z")

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I bought a used Toyota Matrix from a dealership last week, and just received the registration. It included new Cal license plates… although the car already has Cal plates, and has never been registered in anywhere else.  
  
  
  
 Never seen this before. Makes me a little, umm… apprehensive.  
  
  
  
 Any ideas?

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**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\
**Post date:** [August 21, 2008, 11:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-did-the-cal-dmv-send-new-plates/18500/2 "2008-08-21T23:19:30Z")

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We can all only speculate. This could have been a clerical error, or perhaps regulations have changed, or…who knows?

For the “official” answer, I would suggest that you contact California DMV.

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**Author:** ![alex3324](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e8cbc/32.png) [@alex3324](https://community.cartalk.com/u/alex3324)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-did-the-cal-dmv-send-new-plates/18500/3 "2008-08-22T00:29:42Z")

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Used but never registered anywhere else? What does that mean? What plate number is on the current registration document? That’s the plates that should be on your car.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 12:58am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-did-the-cal-dmv-send-new-plates/18500/4 "2008-08-22T00:58:25Z")

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Check to see if you’re being charged for those new plates. Minnesota tried this trick to gain extra tax income. But it was argued that if there wasn’t anything wrong with the original plates on the vehicle, why would they require replacement? So now when you go in and pay the yearly license fee, they have to ask you if you need new plates.

Tester

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**Author:** ![olivverr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/5daacb/32.png) [@olivverr](https://community.cartalk.com/u/olivverr)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 2:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-did-the-cal-dmv-send-new-plates/18500/5 "2008-08-22T02:50:31Z")

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Whatever the current registration states as a license plate number, use those plates. No question.

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**Author:** ![pleasedodgevan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/51bf81/32.png) [@pleasedodgevan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pleasedodgevan)\
**Post date:** [August 22, 2008, 3:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/why-did-the-cal-dmv-send-new-plates/18500/6 "2008-08-22T03:59:06Z")

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Meaning. In Ca, the plates usually stay with the car unless an owner requests new plates.