DMV explains new laws for ignition locks and for classic car owners registration

The Department of Motor Vehicles is reminding motorists of two new laws that took effect July 1 in California.

The laws include implementation of mandatory ignition interlock devices (IIDs) and a new law designed for vintage car collectors that will allow owners of cars from 1963 to 1969 to re-register their vehicles with black and yellow California plates.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed both laws in 2008.

Following are capsule summaries of each laws:

Mandatory Ignition Interlocks

This new law requires Ignition Interlock Devices (IIDs) be installed on vehicles owned and operated by motorists convicted of driving on a suspended license due to a previous alcohol-related conviction.

"There are an estimated 40,000 persons convicted annually of DUI-related offenses who then drive on suspended licenses; further, there were 1,489 people needlessly killed in an alcohol-involved collision during 2007 in California. This law is a major step toward reducing those numbers," said George Valverde, director of California's DMV.

The DMV must notify the court if you fail to submit proof of installation of an IID within 30 days from date of notice. A person who is required and fails to install an IID is guilty of a misdemeanor and can be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for up to six months, fined up to $5,000 or both.

Motorists who fall into the category of driving with a suspended license for a DUI-related conviction will be assessed a $40 administrative fee for verification of the IID installation.

Year of Manufacture license plates

This new law expands the "Year of Manufacture" license plate program to automobiles, motorcycle or trailers built up through 1969 or commercial vehicles and pickup trucks built up through 1972 to bear a Year of Manufacture license plate. The law also increase the original application fee from $35 to $45 for the custom plates.

A $10 annual renewal fee applies, as does a $20 plate retention fee. The $12 plate transfer fee remains the same.

The new law requires the inclusion of two active license plate series into the Year of Manufacture program:

Black background with yellow characters - issued 1963 - 1969;

Blue background with yellow characters - issued 1970 - 1990.

To qualify for use, plate configuration cannot have a current record on DMV files. The year sticker displayed on the plates must coincide with the year model of the vehicle being registered with the exception of 1963 year model vehicles.

Black and gold plates without a year sticker can be used for 1963 vehicles as no validating year stickers were issued in 1963. Plates for 1964 through 1972 must be presented with a sticker that matches the year model of the vehicle on which the plates will be used. For example, a 1966 Chevy Nomad Wagon will require that a set of black and yellow plates with a 1966 sticker issued by DMV in that year be presented for use.

Additional information on both laws can be found at www.dmv.ca.gov.