Ticketed for a Missing Front License Plate

[tlcheung]

My question involves a traffic citation from the state of California:

I have a '63 VW bug that I've owned for over 20 years and about 10 years ago the front plate fell off or was stolen and at that time I went to the DMV but was told I didn't need one.

Now a few days ago I was in Berkeley CA and was given a ticket -- actually the ticket was very unclear but when I called to find out about it I was told it was for the missing front plate.

So what gives? Did the law change? who is right the Berkeley Police or the DMV?

I'd hate to have to get new plates (the one I have now is the original black/yellow.) Can my car be grandfathered out of this mess?

[M'sta Mikey]

From what I've read, and Carl can better clarify, in California you are required by law to have two (2) plates; one front, one rear.

You cannot be grandfathered, the law is the law - if/when it changes, you need to comply.

[tlcheung]

Do you know when the law was changed?

I guess I'm not so upset that the law changed but rather that I was told by the DMV that having one plate was fine (albeit 10+ years ago) and never being notified that the law had changed