california license-plates
Is it legal for a car to have a paper license plate in California?
<p>For over a year a car I see most days has a rear license plate that only has <em>XXX Chevrolet</em>. The license plate frame says <em>XXX Chevrolet.com</em>. Is there an exemption that allows the vehicle owner to use this in place of a standard USA license plate?</p>

<p><a href="http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-4456.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">California Vehicle Code section 4456 (c), operative until January 1, 2019:</a></p>
<blockquote>
<p>(c) A vehicle displaying a copy of the report of sale may be operated without license plates or registration card until either of the following, whichever occurs first:</p>
<p>(1) The license plates and registration card are received by the purchaser.</p>
<p>(2) A 90-day period, commencing with the date of sale of the vehicle, has expired.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The car is not required to have license plates right after it is purchased.  Most dealers will put a sign with their name and/or logo in place of the license plate.</p>
<p>If the car has been without permanent plates for more than 90 days, and it hasn't been sold again, then it is probably in violation of this law.</p>
<p>As of January 1, 2019, the law will <a href="http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-code/veh-sect-4456-nr2.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">change</a>, and the dealer will provide a numbered temporary plate.  This plate can only be used until the permanent plates arrive, up to a maximum of 90 days.</p>
