Just returned from a trip to LA, I noticed that almost every luxury car or expensive sports car had no plates on the rear, just a dealer ad instead of the license plate. No temp tags either.

I couldn't figure it out, especially considering the fact that CA is the red-tape capital of the world.

Someone please educate me.

 

When you buy a brand new car, it doenst have any plates. They get ordered as soon as the car registers under your name.

 

I'm not a CA resident, but my understanding is that CA law is unobstructed tags front and rear. But because of the huge number of cars in SoCal, the relative lack of police, relatively low fines for scofflaws who do get caught ( not very many of them ), a lot of people just take their chances running the car with rear-plates only, hoping they won't get caught, or if they do, are well-heeled enough that they can easily afford the fine.
Driving with only one plate, while technically illegal, is certainly is not the same class as something truly dangerous like DWI, excessive speed, reckless driving, or running a red light. You may get caught and have to pay a fine, but you probably are not going to jail or have your license pulled. What insurance will do to you, though, I don't know....that is an interesting question, but my guess is that it is nothing that will make you lose your coverage, be dropped, or be socked with high premiums over.

 

But it seemed like literally EVERY nice car had no plates. They couldn't all be brand new.

Another thing.......why no temporary plates or "drive-away" tags?

All these cars had absolutely nothing to identify them with.

 

A lot of them are ARE new. But many people postpone it for as long as possible to avoid the cameras at intersections. If they snap your picture it can't be traced so no fine. My friend didn't put his plate on for 2 years and tried to run yellow lights at places he knew about just so he could give the finger while going through. lol The temporary license is just a tiny slip of paper they stick to bottom passenger front windshield. Legally it's good up to 6 months.

 

Well there are a few different reasons for this, a lot if my friends do not put their plates on bc its an easy way to ID a car when they have ur licence plate ## and another reason is the fact that we have photo enforced intersections in LA, they take a picture of your licence plate along with your face and send it to you in the mail, Now if there is no plates who will they send it to? I'd bet there are a lot of S-classes or GS's running around so there is no way they could send you your ticket. The last reason is that if you just left your plates off the cops would ticket you, If you put on papers they tend to think the car is still new and they wont hassle you....


Tommy

 

Psh, California.........who lives in that hellish place?

 

hmm, ive always wondered, if u live out of state, then drive ur car into ca, and say that the state u live in doesn't require front plates, then would u get ticketed in ca?