You’re sitting in gridlock on the 405. It’s 5:30 PM. The sun is hitting the smog just right, and you find yourself staring at the rear bumper of the Lexus in front of you. Right there, on the bottom left or right of the license plate, are two small, stacked letters: PP.
They aren't part of the main plate number. They’re tiny.
Most people just assume it’s some secret government code or maybe a vanity thing for people who really like the word "private." But honestly, the California PP license plate sticker—or "Press Photographer" plate—is a relic of a very specific era of media, and it’s one of the most misunderstood pieces of metal on the road. It isn’t just a badge of honor for someone who knows how to use a DSLR. It’s a functional tool that used to mean the difference between getting the front-page shot and getting stuck behind a police line.
What is a California PP License Plate Anyway?
Basically, the "PP" stands for Press Photographer.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues these under very specific guidelines outlined in California Vehicle Code Section 5008. It’s not a "vanity" plate in the sense that you can just pay extra because you think it looks cool. You actually have to prove you’re a working professional. We’re talking about people who are regularly employed by newspapers, wire services, or television stations.
If you're a hobbyist taking photos of your cat, you aren't getting one.
The plate itself looks like a standard California plate, but it features those stacked "P" letters. For decades, these were the "Golden Ticket" for photojournalists. When a brush fire broke out in the Malibu hills or a high-profile court case was happening in DTLA, that plate was a visual signal to law enforcement. It told the CHP or the LAPD, "Hey, I'm here on business."
The Perks and the Myths
There is a massive misconception that a California PP license plate gives you a "get out of jail free" card for parking.
It doesn't.
If you park in front of a fire hydrant or leave your car in a red zone for three hours while you grab a latte, you're getting a ticket. Just like everyone else. However, there is a nuance to how they are treated in "the field." Back in the day, if a photographer was covering an active breaking news scene, police might be slightly more lenient about a car tucked onto a shoulder or in a restricted area if they saw that PP designation. It was a shorthand for credibility.
It’s about access, not about breaking the law.
In California, news media has certain protections under Penal Code Section 409.5(d). This law generally allows representatives of news services to enter areas that have been closed off due to a disaster or emergency—unless that entry interferes with the work of first responders. The PP plate was the easiest way to show a deputy that you belonged behind the yellow tape.
How Do You Actually Get One?
The process is surprisingly old-school. You don't just click a box on the DMV website.
First, you have to be a person who is "regularly employed or engaged as a bona fide newspaper, newsreel, or television photographer or cameraman." The DMV is pretty strict about this. You usually need to provide a letter of employment or proof of your status as a working member of the press.
- You fill out the Special Interest License Plate Application (REG 17).
- You pay the initial fee (usually around $20, though California loves to update these numbers).
- You pay the annual renewal fee.
The catch? You can only have one set of these plates. You can't put them on your entire fleet of cars if you’re a freelance shooter with three SUVs. It’s tied to the individual and their primary work vehicle.
Does It Even Matter in the Age of Smartphones?
This is where things get a little spicy.
Forty years ago, if you had a camera and a PP plate, you were the media. Today, everyone has a 48-megapixel camera in their pocket. This has created a weird tension for the DMV and for law enforcement. Does a YouTuber with a million subscribers count as a "bona fide" news photographer?
Generally, the DMV leans toward traditional definitions.
Most veteran photojournalists will tell you that the California PP license plate is becoming a bit of a dinosaur. Many modern news outlets don't even want their photographers to have them. Why? Because in a polarized political climate, having a giant sign on your car that says "I AM THE MEDIA" can actually make you a target.
If you're covering a protest that turns south, that plate might get your windows smashed. Some photographers now prefer to stay "stealth," using magnetic press signs they can take off the door or just relying on their physical press credentials issued by the local sheriff's department.
The Aesthetic Appeal
Let's be real for a second. Some people just want them because they look vintage and "pro."
The California plate design is iconic—white background, blue or red script. Adding that little vertical "PP" gives it a technical, industrial look that appeals to gearheads and car collectors. You'll often see these plates on older Volvo wagons or beat-up Toyota 4Runners—the classic "workhorses" of the 90s news industry.
There's a certain "if you know, you know" vibe to it. It signals that the driver has probably spent their life chasing sirens and drinking bad gas station coffee.
Common Confusion: PP vs. Other Plates
California has a million specialty plates. You've got the Whale Tail (Coastal Commission), the Tahoe plate, the Yosemite plate, and the various veteran codes.
Sometimes people confuse the PP plate with:
- Exempt (E) Plates: These are for government-owned vehicles. Totally different ballgame.
- Press (PR) Plates: Some states use PR, but California sticks to the stacked PP or sometimes just "Press."
- Livery Plates: These are for for-hire vehicles like limos.
The PP plate is unique because it’s a professional designation that is actually built into the registration of the vehicle, not just a bumper sticker.
The Reality of Law Enforcement Interactions
If you're driving with a California PP license plate, don't expect it to help you during a standard traffic stop.
If a CHP officer pulls you over for doing 85 in a 65, saying "But I'm a photographer!" isn't going to do much. In fact, many officers find it annoying if you try to use the plate as leverage. The plate is meant for the scene of the news, not the commute to it.
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I’ve talked to guys who have had these plates for thirty years. They say the biggest advantage isn't the police—it's the public. Sometimes, if you're blocked in at a scene, people are a little more patient with you if they see the plate. They realize you're there to do a job, not just being a jerk by double-parking.
Why You Might Not Want One
If you are a freelance photographer in California, you should weigh the pros and cons.
- Pro: It looks professional and can help with credibility at some event checkpoints.
- Pro: It’s a cool bit of California car culture history.
- Con: It makes your car easily identifiable to people who might not like the media.
- Con: It doesn't actually grant any legal immunity for parking or moving violations.
Many modern journalists find that a high-vis vest and a standard lanyard-based ID card are way more effective than a permanent license plate. Plus, if you sell your car, you have to deal with the paperwork of transferring those special plates or surrendering them.
Practical Steps for Photographers
If you’re dead set on getting that California PP license plate, here is how you actually make it happen without losing your mind at the DMV.
First, get your paperwork in order before you even show up. You need a letter on company letterhead. If you're a freelancer, you'll need contracts or a massive portfolio of "tear sheets" (digital or physical) showing that your work is actually being published by recognized news outlets. The DMV clerks don't see these plates every day. You might have to explain what the form is for.
Once you have the plates, remember the "No Jerk" rule. Using the plate to try and bully your way into a parking spot or a restricted area usually backfires. Use it as a tool for identification, not a weapon for entitlement.
Keep a copy of your REG 17 paperwork in your glove box. Sometimes, if there is a dispute about the plate's validity or what it allows you to do, having the official code sections printed out can save you a lot of headache.
If you stop working as a photographer, you are technically supposed to surrender the plates. Most people don't, which is why you occasionally see them on cars driven by people who clearly haven't touched a camera since the Bush administration. But if you want to stay on the right side of the law, keep your registration updated and your professional status current.
Ultimately, the PP plate is a small piece of California history. It’s a nod to a time when news was something that happened at a specific place and time, and you needed a specific piece of metal to go see it. It’s about as "California" as a sourdough bowl or a sunset at El Matador beach. Just don't expect it to keep you from getting a ticket when you're late for a shoot.
What to Do Next
- Check your eligibility: Review California Vehicle Code Section 5008 to ensure your specific type of media work qualifies.
- Download Form REG 17: Head to the California DMV website and search for the Special Interest License Plate Application.
- Gather Employment Proof: Secure a signed letter from your editor or news director confirming your status as a "bona fide" news photographer.
- Budget for Fees: Prepare for the initial $20 fee plus the annual renewal costs associated with special interest plates.
- Consider Safety: If you cover high-tension protests, weigh the benefits of identification against the risks of being a visible target.