Truck plate in CA

[RunningForNow]

Fellow Californians...Do you have truck license plates for your 4Runners? I bought my car about three weeks ago, and I just realized I have a commercial plate on the car (I’ve been traveling for work, so I haven’t been home). I wonder why this car was registered as a commercial vehicle lie a pickup truck. The title hasn’t come in the mail yet, so I may give the dealer a call.

For reference, CA passenger plate is 1ABC234, one number, three letters, then three numbers. Truck plates are 1A23456, one number, one letter, then five numbers.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Fellow Californians...Do you have truck license plates for your 4Runners? I bought my car about three weeks ago, and I just realized I have a commercial plate on the car (I’ve been traveling for work, so I haven’t been home). I wonder why this car was registered as a commercial vehicle lie a pickup truck. The title hasn’t come in the mail yet, so I may give the dealer a call.

For reference, CA passenger plate is 1ABC234, one number, three letters, then three numbers. Truck plates are 1A23456, one number, one letter, then five numbers.

Both my 4runners have non-commercial plates. On a p/u truck it's hard to get the DMV to change it, I'm sure it can be done on an SUV. Although it is the DMV, so plan on some hassle and time.

 

[RunningForNow]

Both my 4runners have non-commercial plates. On a p/u truck it's hard to get the DMV to change it, I'm sure it can be done on an SUV. Although it is the DMV, so plan on some hassle and time.

That’s why I find it odd that I would have commercial plates on my car. It’s not really a commercial vehicle, and not a pickup truck. I know pickups almost always get commercial plates in CA. Not looking forward to dealing with the DMV. :ybrick:

 

[Hockeyjock]

Just curious why it matters? What is the down side of commercial plates?

 

[Scramble]

A 4Runner is not a car!!!!!!!

 

[Pats98]

With commecial plates you pay extra fees. I would get them changed

 

[Wedgy]

I think with any SUV they call it a utility vehicle and charge you the extra fees.
I went thru hell trying to get my Sprinter van listed as an RV but the registration went from ~$300 to ~$100 a year so it was totally worth it.

 

[Yoter]

If I am not mistaken you can park unrestricted in Yellow parking zones with those plates, depending on where you live that is a HUGE advantage! If you are in an urban area you might want to keep them.

 

[4Runner fun]

If I am not mistaken you can park unrestricted in Yellow parking zones with those plates, depending on where you live that is a HUGE advantage! If you are in an urban area you might want to keep them.

Never have heard or seen that, Where are you getting this info? because I'll exploit that if its tru

 

[Yoter]

Never have heard or seen that, Where are you getting this info? because I'll exploit that if its tru

I don't know where you live it appears this varies on local police policy; this is from San Francisco's Transit Authority:

"Yellow zones are for active freight loading and unloading only by commercial vehicles. Check nearby signs or stencils on the curb for effective hours. Vehicles without a commercial license plate parked in a yellow zone will be cited and can be towed if the sign specifies it is a tow zone.

Six-Wheel Truck Loading Zones are indicated by signs only. When signed for six wheels or more, such trucks can use the zone. Six wheel loading zones can typically be distinguished by their red-capped meters in metered areas.

Yellow zones are typically used for large businesses or properties that receive or deliver a lot of shipments."


This is what the city of Berkeley Says:

"Curbs marked by yellow are for commercial use and are for loading and unloading merchandise or materials. These zones are enforced from 7:00 AM to 6:00PM, Monday through Saturday except when otherwise designated by appropriate signs. Some metered parking spaces may be yellow zones during certain hours. In order to use a yellow zone for up to (20) twenty minutes drivers must have any one of three requirements; 1) A City of Berkeley Business license decal affixed to the left rear bumper of the vehicle; 2) A marked commercial vehicle with logo or lettering; 3) Commercial plates issued by Department of Motor Vehicles. Drivers must be actively engaged in loading or unloading. Non commercial vehicles may load or unload passengers only for up to three minutes at a yellow curb."

 

[thenightman]

If I am not mistaken you can park unrestricted in Yellow parking zones with those plates, depending on where you live that is a HUGE advantage! If you are in an urban area you might want to keep them.

A friend of mine just jumped through a few hoops to put commercial plates on his, wait for it... Prius. The registration fee is based on weight, so i think he said he pays $22 for his tags! He lives in a city so he plans on making use of the commercial parking zones as well. Pretty smart!

 

[RunningForNow]

Just curious why it matters? What is the down side of commercial plates?

Not really an issue, just odd, and I want to make sure my car is legit, and I don’t want to get pulled over for having a commercial plate. If the earlier reply about commercial vehicles pay registration by weight, then this might be an advantage, as the listed weight of a 4Runner shouldn’t be any heavier than a commercial van or a utility truck.