Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is the Sierra Nevada License Plate?

The sales of Sierra Nevada License Plates will benefit the Sierra Nevada Conservancy Program which provides funding for conservation, habitat restoration, recreation, and other environmental projects in the Sierra Nevada. These special plates will be issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles upon receipt of 7.500 paid pledges. [Back to List]

 

How does the process work?

The Sierra Nevada License Plate campaign needs 7,500 paid pledges within a year in order to meet the legislated requirements to issue a new special license plate. After these have been received, the money and pledges will be turned over to the DMV for processing. The DMV will notify each person who paid for a plate as soon as their plate is available for pick-up. If the campaign does not receive 7,500 paid pledges by September 2010, each person who paid and completed a pledge will be given a full refund of their payment. [Back to List]

 

Is Completing a Paid Pledge the Purchase of Plate?

Completing a pledge and paying is the first step in purchasing a plate. The first 7500 pledges with payment will be submitted to DMV to establish the Sierra Nevada License Plates program. If 7,500 paid pledges for plates are not collected within the one year, all fees collected will be returned to the individual payees. [Back to List]

 

How much does a Sierra License Plate Cost?

The Sierra Nevada License Plates cost more than your normal registration fee.

  • $50. ($40 per year to renew). - Sequentially numbered plates (a random set of six numbers and letters selected by the DMV).

  • $98. ($78 to renew). For New Personalized Plates or Conversion of current Personalized plates to the Sierra Nevada License Plate (6 characters maximum)

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How do I get a personalized plate?

If you currently have personalized plates with 6 characters or less, you can keep your existing plate characters. The maximum number of characters allowed on the Sierra Nevada plate is six because the legislation regarding special plates requires that the image be in a 2"x3" rectangle to the left of the numbers and letters. [Back to List]

 

If you'd like to order a personalized plate with 6 or fewer characters, follow the instructions on the DMV website - http://www.dmv.ca.gov - as though you are making an order to see if the configuration is currently available. Do not place the actual order through the DMV website because you will not be able to choose the Sierra Nevada license plate until after we have reached our pledge goal. Remember that the plate only allows six characters. Unfortunately, we are unable to reserve specialized plates. If your configuration is no longer available when the plates are issued, we will offer you a full refund or an opportunity to select different characters. [Back to List]

 

Can I get a Sierra Nevada License Plate if I currently have a disabled plate?

DMV allows disabled person and disabled veterans to display Special Interest License Plates only in lieu of DP or DV plates. In such cases, a parking placard must be displayed in the vehicle to receive the parking privileges. [Back to List]

 

Where will the pledge payments go?

Pledge payments will be kept in a bank account managed by The Sierra Fund until 7,500 plate pledges are collected at which point the funds will be transferred to DMV. After deducting a small processing fee, the DMV will forward the majority of the Special License Plate fees to be included in the Annual Budget of the Sierra Nevada Conservancy to support the Conservancy's projects and programs benefitting the Sierra Nevada. [Back to List]

 

Who is this group I make the check out to: The Sierra Fund?

The Sierra Fund is a 501(c)(3) non-profit partner to the Sierra Nevada Conservancy for their License Plate Campaign. Since The Sierra Nevada Conservancy is not allowed by the State of California to collect the pledge payments, The Sierra Fund has committed to administering the payments. To find out more about the Sierra Fund, visit www.sierrafund.org. [Back to List]

 

What if I change my mind and do not want the plate after I pledged and paid?

If you change your mind about your paid pledge before the 7,500 paid pledges have been received, we can refund your entire pledge amount ($50 or $98 depending on whether you selected personalized plates). Please contact the campaign at licenseplate@sierranevada.ca.gov and indicate your request for a full refund and provide us with your name, address, phone number, and current license plate number. We will issue a check or credit card refund, depending on how you paid.

 

Once the 7,500 pledges have been received and the funds transferred to DMV, The Sierra Fund will not be able to refund your money. However, you can choose to not pay the annual renewal fee and DMV will replace your Sierra Nevada License Plate with a standard plate. [Back to List]

 

Why do I need to list my DMV Office?

Once the license plates are issued to the first 7500 individuals who paid and pledged for plates, DMV will send the Sierra License Plates to your local DMV office for pickup and notify plate pledges by mail that their plate is ready to pick up. When you go down to pick up your new Sierra Plate, you will be asked to turn in your old license plates before the DMV staff hand you the new plates. Listing the DMV Office location where you would like to pick up your new plates and turn in your old ones is for your convenience. [Back to List]

 

Is my personal information safe and how will it be used?

The Sierra Fund will not sell or share your information, send unsolicited emails/mailings or make unsolicited phone calls.

 

The Campaign will very occasionally contact you by mail or email with updates on the progress towards 7,500 paid pledges. Once 7,500 paid pledges are received, we will notify you and your information will be transferred to DMV. DMV will produce and distribute the Sierra Nevada License Plates and contact you when your plates are ready for pick up at your local DMV office. [Back to List]

 

When will I receive acknowledgement that you received my payment?

The Sierra Fund or the Sierra Nevada Conservancy will confirm individuals who pay and complete a pledge form as soon as possible that their order was received. Orders submitted online will receive an automated reply. [Back to List]

 

When will I receive my plate?

The campaign must collect 7,500 paid pledges between September 15th 2009 and September 14th, 2010. As soon as this goal has been met, DMV will produce and begin distribution of the plates. Production of the physical plates may take up to 6-8 months after the 7,500 paid pledges are submitted. [Back to List]

 

What if the campaign does not gather the necessary registrations?

If the campaign cannot collect 7,500 plates by September 14th, 2010, the campaign will either apply to DMV for a one year extension, or return your payment in full. In either case, you will be notified as soon as possible and given the option to have your pledge refunded. [Back to List]

Is the License Plate purchase tax deductible?

The pledge payment is not tax deductible UNTIL you receive your license plate. At the point you receive your license plate, the vehicle license fee part of your payment is the only part of your annual vehicle registration payment that may be deducted on your income tax. The vehicle license fee can be found on your


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Will I be able to give these plates as a gift?

Yes. You may give a Sierra Nevada License Plate as a gift. You may fill out the pledge certificate on behalf of your gift recipient. [Back to List]

 

Contacts for Individuals with Questions about the Paid Pledge

For all questions about the Sierra Nevada License Plate program please call the Sierra Nevada Conservancy license plate line at 530-823-4680 or email licenseplate@sierranevada.ca.gov [Back to List]