[jbsides]

California law states you must carry the original or facsimile of registration in the car or on your person when operating the vehicle, so probably a copy might carry a lot more weight that you may think. You would need to go to a AAA office, and not the DMV, which will more than likely promptly confiscate those black plates if you do not have an exceptionally valid reason why they should not. The state wants those non-reflectorized plates off the road. AAA may work with you on getting those plates back on the car if you are a CA resident, DMV will probably not.

JB