[Turk]

Ron pretty much explained the magic of why people wait in line in January. Every year, the numbers get depleted earlier than the year before.
Conventianal wisdom says, this year the 500 numbers won't make it past the month of January.

The key in your registration is the possible conflict in DMV thinking you are trying to Re-Register an existing car under SB-100.

By the time they sort that out, and tell you to register under SB-100, all the numbers for year 2005 will be gone. That would put you waiting in line in January 2006.

That is why I am suggesting you get it resolved in the next few days, so you may have a clean slate when January 2nd. rolls around.

Not much time.

TURK