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Inspections</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Insurance Requirements</h2><div class="menu-insurance-requirements-container"><ul id="menu-insurance-requirements" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-7375" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-7375"><a href="/portal/vehicle-registration/insurance-requirements/">Insurance Requirements</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Calculate Fees</h2><div class="menu-registration-fees-container"><ul id="menu-registration-fees" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-7378" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-7378"><a href="/portal/vehicle-registration/registration-fees/">Calculate Fees</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Processing Times</h2><div class="menu-vehicle-registration-processing-times-container"><ul id="menu-vehicle-registration-processing-times" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-76273" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-76273"><a href="/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/renewal-processing-times/">Processing Times</a></li> </ul></div></div></div><div class="labeled-list boxed-sub-menu"><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">How-To</h2><div class="menu-quicklinks-vr-container"><ul id="menu-quicklinks-vr" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-239030" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-239030"><a href="/portal/vehicle-registration/titles/title-transfers-and-changes/">Transfer, Replace, or Change Title <span>To prove vehicle ownership, it’s important to have a valid, up-to-date, and accurate Certificate of Title.</span></a></li> </ul></div></div></div></li> </ul></li> <li id="1087" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom mega menu-item-has-children menu-item-1087"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/">Driver's License & ID Cards</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li class="menu-item"> <div class="labeled-list "><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Apply for a New DL/ID</h2><div class="menu-apply-for-a-new-dl-id-container"><ul id="menu-apply-for-a-new-dl-id" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-207872" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-207872"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/dl-id-online-app-edl-44/">Apply for a DL/ID</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Renew DL/ID</h2><div class="menu-drivers-license-id-card-online-renewal-container"><ul id="menu-drivers-license-id-card-online-renewal" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-187728" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-187728"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/driver-license-id-card-online-renewal/">Renew DL/ID</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Upgrade to a REAL ID</h2><div class="menu-real-id-container"><ul id="menu-real-id" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-8797" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-8797"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/real-id/">Upgrade to a REAL ID</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Get the mDL</h2><div class="menu-mdl-dmv-wallet-pilot-container"><ul id="menu-mdl-dmv-wallet-pilot" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-255713" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-255713"><a href="/portal/california-mdl/">Get the mDL</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Commercial Drivers</h2><div class="menu-commercial-driver-licenses-container"><ul id="menu-commercial-driver-licenses" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-8782" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-8782"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/commercial-driver-licenses-cdl/">Commercial Drivers</a></li> </ul></div></div></div><div class="labeled-list "><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Request Driving Record</h2><div class="menu-driving-record-container"><ul id="menu-driving-record" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-207869" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-207869"><a href="/portal/customer-service/request-vehicle-or-driver-records/online-driver-record-request/">Request Driving Record</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Order Replacement DL</h2><div class="menu-replace-your-license-container"><ul id="menu-replace-your-license" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-101422" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-101422"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/replace-your-driver-license-or-identification-dl-id-card/online-duplicate-driver-license-request/">Order Replacement DL</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Check DL/ID Status</h2><div class="menu-check-dl-id-status-container"><ul id="menu-check-dl-id-status" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-239063" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-239063"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/drivers-license-id-card-status/">Check DL/ID Status</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Permits</h2><div class="menu-instruction-permits-container"><ul id="menu-instruction-permits" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-8770" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-8770"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/instruction-permits/">Permits</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Testing Requirements</h2><div class="menu-testing-requirements-container"><ul id="menu-testing-requirements" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-239054" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-239054"><a href="/portal/driver-education-and-safety/online-learning-and-tests/">Testing Requirements</a></li> </ul></div></div></div><div class="labeled-list "><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Change Name/Address</h2><div class="menu-updating-information-on-your-driver-license-or-identification-card-container"><ul id="menu-updating-information-on-your-driver-license-or-identification-card" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-8767" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-8767"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/updating-information-on-your-driver-license-or-identification-dl-id-card/">Change Name/Address</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Teen Drivers</h2><div class="menu-teen-drivers-container"><ul id="menu-teen-drivers" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-212642" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-212642"><a href="/portal/teen-drivers/">Teen Drivers</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Senior Drivers</h2><div class="menu-renewing-over-age-70-container"><ul id="menu-renewing-over-age-70" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-217142" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-217142"><a href="/portal/senior-drivers/">Senior Drivers</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">New to California</h2><div class="menu-new-to-ca-container"><ul id="menu-new-to-ca" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-113098" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-113098"><a href="/portal/driver-education-and-safety/special-interest-driver-guides/new-to-california/">New to California</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Processing Times</h2><div class="menu-drivers-license-processing-times-container"><ul id="menu-drivers-license-processing-times" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-76276" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-76276"><a href="/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/renewal-processing-times/">Processing Times</a></li> </ul></div></div></div><div class="labeled-list boxed-sub-menu"><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">How-To</h2><div class="menu-quicklinks-dl-container"><ul id="menu-quicklinks-dl" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-244577" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-244577"><a href="/portal/driver-licenses-identification-cards/assembly-bill-ab-60-driver-licenses/">Apply for an AB 60 Driver’s License <span>Find out what documents you need to get an AB 60 license.</span></a></li> </ul></div></div></div></li> </ul></li> <li id="1088" class="menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom mega menu-item-has-children menu-item-1088"><a href="/portal/vehicle-industry-services">Vehicle Industry Services</a> <ul class="sub-menu"> <li class="menu-item"> <div class="labeled-list "><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Occupational Licensing</h2><div class="menu-occupational-licensing-container"><ul id="menu-occupational-licensing" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-239642" class="menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-239642"><a href="/portal/vehicle-industry-services/occupational-licensing/login/">Occupational Licensing</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Occupational License Lookup</h2><div class="menu-occupational-license-lookup-container"><ul id="menu-occupational-license-lookup" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-238904" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-238904"><a href="/portal/vehicle-industry-services/occupational-licensing/occupational-license-lookup/">Occupational License Lookup</a></li> </ul></div></div><div class="widget widget_nav_menu"><h2 class="widgettitle">Motor Carrier Services</h2><div class="menu-motor-carrier-services-container"><ul id="menu-motor-carrier-services" class="menu"><li id="menu-item-8839" class="menu-item-title menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-8839"><a href="/portal/vehicle-industry-services/motor-carrier-services-mcs/">Motor Carrier 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container container--full" aria-label="breadcrumbs"> <ul class="page-breadcrumbs__list"> <li class="page-breadcrumbs__list-item" > <a href="/portal"> Home </a> </li> <li class="page-breadcrumbs__list-item" > <a href="/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/"> About the California Department of Motor Vehicles </a> </li> <li class="page-breadcrumbs__list-item current-page" aria-current="page> <span href="https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/the-history-of-the-department-of-motor-vehicles-dmv/"> The History of the Department of Motor Vehicles </span> </li> </ul> </nav> <div class="hero hero--the-history-of-the-department-of-motor-vehicles-dmv illustration"> <div class="container container--full"> <div class="hero__content hero__content--illustration "> <h1 class="hero__title">The History of the Department of Motor Vehicles</h1> <figure class="hero__top-illustration"> <img src="/portal/wp-content/themes/dmv/assets/images/illustrations/winding_road_street_sign.svg" alt="Winding Road Street Sign"/> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div class="page-wrapper skewed-bg dmv-yellow-300"> <div class="container container--full"> <div class="page-content"> <div class="wp-block-dmv-columns content-columns colums-1-3-2-3"> <div class="wp-block-dmv-column col"> <nav class="nav-left" aria-label="Secondary Navigation"> <ul class="nav-left-children"> <li> <a href=/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/small-business-and-disabled-veteran-business-enterprise-program/>Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Program</a> </li> <li> <a href=/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/equal-employment-opportunity-eeo-program/>Equal Employment Opportunity Program</a> </li> <li> <a href=/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/renewal-processing-times/>Processing Times</a> </li> <li> <a href=/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/dmv-executive-leadership/>Meet Our Leadership Team</a> </li> <li> <a href=/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/awards-and-recognitions/>Awards and Recognitions</a> </li> <li> <a href=/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/department-of-motor-vehicles-strategic-plan/>Department of Motor Vehicles Strategic Plan: 2021-2026</a> </li> <li> <a href=/portal/about-the-california-department-of-motor-vehicles/california-dmv-rulemaking-actions/>Rulemaking Actions</a> </li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="wp-block-dmv-column col"> <p class="has-large-font-size">More than any other invention, the automobile has had a significant impact on all aspects of life in California. Initially referred to as a “horseless carriage,” the automobile presented many challenges for the state, and the first 50 years of automobile legislation were focused on creating laws, rules, and guidelines to help ensure that all Californians would be safe on the roads.</p> <div class="wp-block-dmv-spacer-block spacer-box"></div> <div class="wp-block-dmv-container shadow-box"> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Initial Registration & Licensing</h2> <p>In 1901, California laws authorized all cities and counties to give licenses for bicycles, tricycles, automobiles, horse carriages, and similar wheeled vehicles. By 1905, it became clear that California should issue a state-wide vehicle registration system, so the task was referred to the Secretary of State (SOS).</p> <p>The SOS handled vehicle registrations from 1905 until 1915, at which time Senator E. Birdsall enacted the official Vehicle Act of 1915 and created an official DMV. By that year, vehicle registrations had climbed to 191,000 in the state of California alone.<br><br>In 1921, the powers and duties of DMV were transferred to the Division of Motor Vehicles, which was actually part of the Department of Finance. This move showed that the government was beginning to notice that DMV could produce revenue.<br> </p> <p>By 1931, DMV had become a standalone department.</p> <div class="wp-block-dmv-spacer-block spacer-box"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">The <em>California Vehicle Code</em> (CVC)</h2> <p>The California Vehicle Act of 1914 created laws governing all things related to driving and vehicles. Year by year, new laws were created and existing laws were amended to manage the growing number of vehicles hitting California roads each year.</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>In 1923, the Act was amended to create the California Highway Patrol (CHP). It authorized the chief of the Division of Motor Vehicles to appoint state inspectors and traffic officers to enforce vehicle laws. </li> <li>In 1935, the act was codified and officially became the CVC.</li> <li>In 1959, the CVC was re-codified and re-enacted by legislation, and the CVC remains the same today.</li> </ul> <p>While the CVC was originally a thin booklet of very few pages, it now fills over 1,000 pages and sets all the rules and regulations for licensing drivers and registering and selling vehicles. The CVC also establishes the rules of the road and states penalties for not obeying these laws.</p> <p>The California legislation continues to amend and add new laws to the CVC every year.</p> <div class="wp-block-dmv-spacer-block spacer-box"></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">History of the California License Plate</h2> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>California began issuing permanent license plates in 1914. The first license plates were made from porcelain and were painted brick red with white lettering.</li> <li>In 1916, the State of California began using a variety of unique tags to show proof of vehicle registration. These tags were attached to a white metal license plate with blue lettering.</li> <li>From 1920-1941, the state annually issued new plates that displayed the registration year.</li> <li>In 1942, due to United States (U.S.) involvement in World War II, metal became a precious commodity because it was needed for the war effort. Because of this, DMV began to issue long steel strips that displayed the registration year so vehicle owners could attach them to their existing license plates.</li> <li>Personalized license plates made their debut in 1972, and vehicles manufactured after 1922 that were 25 years or older qualified for the new Historical Vehicle License Plates.</li> <li>In 1987, a new reflective coating was used on all new license plates to make them easier to see at night or in poor weather conditions. </li> <li>For California’s 150th birthday, DMV issued special license plates inscribed with “Sesquicentennial – 150 years” (available from 1998-2000).</li> <li>DMV’s website address was added to new license plates beginning in 2011.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="footer-main skewed-top"> <div class="footer-top container container--full"> <div class="footer-sidebar footer-siderbar-1"> <div class="widget footer-widget-1 widget_nav_menu"><div 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