21.150 Livery License Plates (VC §§5011.5 and 5011.9)

The Livery License Plates program, which required limousines operated by charter-party carriers to display Livery License Plates, has been discontinued.

Current Livery License Plates remain valid and may be renewed. However, originals, replacements, and reassignments of Livery License Plates are not allowed.

Commercial license plates are now issued to limousines operating for hire.

If duplicate or substitute Livery License Plates are requested, regular series commercial license plates may be issued, or different special interest license plates may be purchased for the required license plate fee.

To exchange sequential Livery License Plates for regular series license plates, the following must be submitted:

• An Application for Replacement Plates, Stickers, Documents (REG 156) form to apply for the replacement license plates.

To exchange personalized Livery License Plates for regular series license plates, the following must be submitted:

• A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form to release interest in the Livery License Plates.
• A REG 156 to apply for the replacement license plates.

To exchange personalized Livery License Plates for other personalized special interest license plates with the same license plate configuration, follow current procedures for the new license plate type in this chapter.

Automobiles that will be operated as limousines for hire require commercial license plates. If the body type model (BTM) cannot be issued commercial license plates (for example, sedan [SD]), change the BTM to limousine (LM). Follow current procedures in the Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual, Chapter 13, Conversion from Auto to Commercial License Plates section.

Transfer and Exchange of Personalized Livery License Plates—In addition to basic transfer requirements, the following must be submitted:

A Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17) form completed by the seller to release interest in the personalized Livery License Plates.

• A REG 17 completed by the new owner to apply for other personalized special license plates in the same configuration. Existing Livery License Plates cannot be transferred.
• The fees due for original personalized license plates.

Existing Livery License Plates must be surrendered upon transfer to a new owner, even if the new owner qualifies for Livery License Plates.

Exchange—Existing personalized license plates cannot be exchanged to personalized Livery License Plates.

Renewal—Sequential Livery License Plates do not require an additional fee for renewal. However, a fee is required for renewal of a personalized Livery License Plate.

Reassignment—Livery License Plates cannot be reassigned.

Retention—Livery License Plates cannot be retained.

Transfer of Ownership—Livery License Plates must be surrendered upon transfer of ownership. However, personalized Livery License Plates may be exchanged for other personalized special interest license plates with the same configuration and reassigned to a qualified new owner. Refer to Chapter 11 for transfer procedures.