CA people: how can you have HOV stickers but no license plates?

I've noticed this too in the Bay Area. Really chafes me as I was one of the infamous 700 who did not get stickers and yet had my plates. What gives???

 

Back in Jan 06, when I got mine, I just wrote "New Car - No Plate", where the plate no. on the app. was. I actually got the stickers about a week before the plates. Not a big deal. I was waiting for the plates, and saw several new cars w/stickers, no plate, and figured, what the heck, and sent it in. I called AAA, and DMV, and they didn't know the answer, plate or no plate. Kinda like paper or plastic?

 

People took to harassing their dealers to find out what their license plate would end up being. Apparently, it's known well in advance.

(I was probably one of the first who didn't, since I bought my car the same day the Merc put out the story that basically said "DON'T BOTHER ANYMORE".)

 

I took off my front plate, it looks better...plus I live in the suburbs where there's a stop light or sign every 500 feet, it's ridiculous...who planned that city? Anyway, I took it off just in case i'm driving home at 3am, and don't want to wait at a red light for a minute when there's clearly no one elase on the road.
How much will they ticket me if I get caught without a plate?

 

Perhaps what you are seeing are used Prii that are sold with the stickers.

 

Good point. If I were to sell my Prius (which has stickers), I'd keep my vanity plate. So the car would have no stickers and no plates for a while.

Also, some people probably take the time to install the stickers before the plates.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mywhitenoise @ May 2 2007, 05:15 PM) [snapback]434289[/snapback]</div>

Whatever fine that's printed on the ticket (about $35 in most CA cities) will reduce to a $10 "fix-it" fee if you put the plate back on and have a police officer sign off on the ticket. Note that CA law also allows "No Front Plate" tickets to be written while your car is parked on a public street, even by parking enforcement, police volunteers, etc.

And beware that many red light cameras now capture rear license plates.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bugmenot @ May 3 2007, 09:50 AM) [snapback]434812[/snapback]</div>

Also, be aware that running red lights any time for any reason is really stupid, plate or not. FYI I ran my Eagle Talon for 10 years with no front CA plate, and never had a problem, though I always stop at red lights.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bugmenot @ May 3 2007, 11:50 AM) [snapback]434812[/snapback]</div>

The fine for no front plate should be $500-$1000 --- that would raise BILLIONS in California, since so many people ignore the law.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eclectcmoi @ May 2 2007, 03:35 PM) [snapback]434298[/snapback]</div>

Perhaps that was the case the other day when I saw a Prius with HOV stickers and no license plates. I think the dealership was Melody Toyota in San Bruno. I pondered what comvoluted means could result in an HOV sticker for a new car, then thought the simpler explanation was the more likely.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(opus17 @ May 3 2007, 01:29 PM) [snapback]434870[/snapback]</div>

Honestly, we should first fine the folks who change lanes without using their signals, before we fine people without front license plates.

That has an effect on our safety, while your scheme is simply an idea for revenue generation.