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The DMV long ago stopped providing 1984 Olympic license plates

January 24, 2025

Q: Mr. Honk: The other day I saw a California 1984 Olympics license plate. Was that for only those on the Olympic Committee? I worked the ‘84 Olympics but was not aware of these plates and I’d love to buy one now.

– Lisa Stelmar, San Clemente

A: Mention of those Games prompts neat memories for Honk, Lisa and many others – neat plates, too.

Red and blue and, of course, the Olympic rings.

But the Department of Motor Vehicles had a relatively tight window for when orders were accepted: September 1983 to Dec. 31, 1984, Katarina Snow, a DMV spokesperson, told Honk. By January 1990, even those with the plates could not get replacement ones if theirs were damaged.

Those who got them more than 40 years ago can keep renewing them.

In 1990, Olympic Training Center license plates were born to raise money for the construction of such a facility. In 2013, lawmakers put an end to getting those plates.

Now, did you have to be special to get the plates?

Honk knew who to ask: Donald La Plante of Downey (and Honkland) who has them.

“Anyone could buy them,” he told Honk in an email. “Definitely not on the Olympic Committee, although I worked for USC at the time, so I had limited access to the Olympic areas, but anyone could buy the plates. …

“I rarely see (others with) an ’84 Olympic plate now,” La Plante said. “But interestingly enough, I saw (someone) right in front of me in Laguna Beach a few months ago with the plate.”

It is possible that enough interest will surface for 2028 Olympic license plates, with the Games returning to Los Angeles, Lisa, and Honk is keeping an ear to the ground and will keep Honkland updated.

Under current regulations, someone would have to step up.

There has to be 7,500 pre-paid orders rounded up, and Honk hasn’t heard of such an effort yet.

HONKIN’ FACT: Three Southern California letter carriers were honored on Wednesday, Jan. 22, for joining the Million Mile Club for driving that distance without causing an accident or getting a moving violation while on duty: Keith Allred, a 30-year letter carrier; Alan Chang, 37 years; and Bryan Montoya, 34 years. A fourth, Glenn Miyashiro, 50 years, hit the 2-million-mile mark. All work from the Temple City post office.

HONKIN’ FACT No. 2: Someone is hurt or killed by a drunk driver every 79 seconds, according to the Mothers Against Drunk Driving. With the Super Bowl coming, everyone – those who drink and those who might have to dodge an intoxicated motorist – should keep this top of mind.

To ask Honk questions, reach him at [email protected]. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. To see him on the social media platform X: @OCRegisterHonk

Orange County Register

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The DMV long ago stopped providing 1984 Olympic license plates

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