California DMV's development with evolving regulations and license plates

The history of California's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) traces back to its foundational years. Initially, vehicle registrations were managed by the Secretary of State from 1905 until 1915, when Senator E. Birdsall enacted the Vehicle Act, formalizing the establishment of the DMV. By 1915, California had registered 191,000 vehicles, marking significant growth in the state's vehicle population.

In 1921, the duties and responsibilities of the DMV were integrated into the Division of Motor Vehicles under the Department of Finance. This shift indicated the government's recognition of the DMV's potential revenue generation. By 1931, the DMV had emerged as an independent department.

The California Vehicle Code (CVC), derived from the 1914 Vehicle Act, laid the groundwork for driving regulations in the state. The act was amended in 1923 to establish the California Highway Patrol, empowering the DMV to enforce vehicle laws. In 1935, the act evolved into the CVC, which has been subject to revisions and re-enactments, notably in 1959. Initially a concise document, the CVC now comprises over 1,000 pages defining licensing, vehicle registration, sales regulations, and road rules.

The evolution of California license plates began in 1914, when the state started issuing permanent plates made of porcelain. In 1916, tags verifying vehicle registration were introduced. From 1920 to 1941, plates were issued annually reflecting the registration year. The wartime metal shortage in 1942 led to the issuance of steel strips indicating registration years, which could be mounted on existing plates.

The introduction of personalized license plates in 1972 and the provision of Historical Vehicle License Plates for cars over 25 years old marked significant developments. The introduction of reflective coatings in 1987 enhanced visibility under low-light conditions. Commemorative plates for California's 150th anniversary were available from 1998 to 2000, and in 2011, the DMV's website address was incorporated into new plates.