Front plate required for out-of-staters ? ?

[deathbug74]

misread the op! for some reason i had it in my mind that it was a cali car going out of state, yeesh, i'll fix my last post

 

[NVR FNSH]

On top of the clarification that we're talking about VISITORS to the state, you might want to reread the law.



add the above to the law, and it's another out for visitors:

linky



Obviously, DMV ties us into this by issuing two plates. Might be a nice loophole for the "year of manufacture" plates (haven't looked into whether it really IS or not) if they can get away with registering only one YOM plate.

You are quoting the CA Vehicle Code as it pertains to CA registered vehicles - the single plate section is in reference to tractors (tractor/trailer), motorcycles, trailers and other specific vehicle types where only a single plate is issued.

Brian

 

[oldapeman]

Better yet, except for posts from the OPs, delete all posts from non-LEOs! (not jk).

What, LEOs are never wrong? We should keep the forums open to those who have experience or special knowledge (such as lawyers) who point out when the LEOs are incorrect. The law is NOT what the LEOs say it is -- it is what the Court decides after hearing BOTH sides. Let's not let this forum be controlled by only one side.

 

[}Dragon{]

The law is NOT what the LEOs say it is -- it is what the Court decides after hearing BOTH sides. Let's not let this forum be controlled by only one side.

The law is codified since we don't live in a common law state. The law is what is written by the state for the people.

L-2 (IMHO) was just trying to clear up the confusion in this thread and avoid bad advice.

Let's try this again: If you live in a state other than California, you come here to visit and you reside in a state that does not require a front plate: You are legal. In some circumstances, you may get pulled over, but you shouldn't get a ticket.

 

[L-2]

In this thread, here's what I found frustrating.
-I can't always tell who's a cop/LEO who's answering unless I happen to recognize a particular screen name. No offense to those of you I happen to know have been, but may not be currently in L.E., or an attorney;
-It wasn't until post #17 where I actually saw someone reference the actual law, Vehicle Code 5200(a) as support to answer the original poster's question;
-and try to remember the original intent of this sub-forum which states "Ask the experts in Law Enforcement". There are already forums to ask the people/experts who are NOT in law enforcement.
-On the other hand, the OP didn't actually ask what is the definitive law. The question(s) were somewhat vague as in, "Is this going to be a problem?". The wording of that question seems to invite more of a discussion for any or everyone's opinion vs. a definitive by-the-book-literal-law answer. (I think I just apologized for my earlier comment, but without totally taking it back!);
-to me, if it were a perfect forum-world, an OP would poise a question. A LEO then responds. Then the discussion/free-for-all takes off.

If I were to answer the OP's question, I'd first need to know what state the OP is in. Not just "East Coast". I have a "cheat sheet", meaning subject to some error, which indicates what states issue 2 plates vs. only 1 plate. If the OP's state issues two plates, then both will need to be mounted, front & rear, while operating in California, not whether it's enforced or required in the OP's home state, where-ever that is. Is the OP correct about the home state not requiring a front plate needing to be mounted? I might need to research that statement, too, just to be thorough, even though we're speaking of California Vehicle Code here.
-My earlier comment did get a rise from some of you though didn't it

 

[Ogier le Danois]

That would only be applicable to equipment violations.

What about things like:

Registered 2 stroke dirtbike - where I live you can register pretty much anything, including 4 wheelers....can you operate them if they are properly registered in another state and you are just visiting?

Insurance - Some states don't require auto insurance (new hampshire), or motorcycle insurance (Montana). What would a CHP do if one of these drivers/riders was pulled over in CA on a visit. The vehicle is following the applicable laws of the state of registration.

 

[Traq]

The insurance question has been answered before...they need insurance to operate it here. That isn't an equipment violation.

 

[Traq]

In this thread, here's what I found frustrating.
-I can't always tell who's a cop/LEO who's answering unless I happen to recognize a particular screen name. No offense to those of you I happen to know have been, but may not be currently in L.E., or an attorney;

You don't need to be a LEO or a lawyer to answer things...in fact, you LEOs apparently don't know everything either. For instance, you said this:

-It wasn't until post #17 where I actually saw someone reference the actual law, Vehicle Code 5200(a) as support to answer the original poster's question;

But the problem is that 5200(a) is INAPPLICABLE to the situation. Why? Because of this definition of what the "department" is:

290. "Department" means the Department of Motor Vehicles except, when used in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 2100) of Division 2 and in Divisions 11 (commencing with Section 21000), 12 (commencing with Section 24000), 13 (commencing with Section 29000), 14 (commencing with Section 31600), 14.1 (commencing with Section 32000), 14.3 (commencing with Section 32100), 14.5 (commencing with Section 33000), 14.7 (commencing with Section 34000), and 14.8 (commencing with Section 34500), it shall mean the Department of the California Highway Patrol.

So tell us how 5200(a) applies at all to an out of state vehicle since the CA DMV doesn't issue their plates?

-My earlier comment did get a rise from some of you though didn't it

Maybe, but it also gave me a deeply warm wet satisfying feeling when I could post the above and knock you off that high horse.

Now I fully expect someone that knows more than me to knock me down too!

 

[Ogier le Danois]

The insurance question has been answered before...they need insurance to operate it here. That isn't an equipment violation.

what about the 4 wheeler? At least with other kinds of motorcycles that are not registerable here, they are still motorcycles. 4 wheelers are completely different vehicles.

 

[}Dragon{]

Now I fully expect someone that knows more than me to knock me down too!

Yuo wanna cookie?

 

[Traq]

what about the 4 wheeler? At least with other kinds of motorcycles that are not registerable here, they are still motorcycles. 4 wheelers are completely different vehicles.

It'd be required to follow the laws governing the type of vehicle it is. If it's illegal to operate an ATV on the roads here then that applies to your registered in Montana ATV too.

Yuo wanna cookie?

Yes. Hurry, before I'm shown to be wrong!

 

[L-2]

Somebody made a good point, but I can't find it. Perhaps the post was from someone I've put on "ignore". VC 5202 may be the best section for an out of state vehicle's license plate(s) requirement. Has this forum been renamed yet (to the "Non-LEO Forum")?

 

[DucatiHoney]

Ya know...it's really too bad when a LEO who's trying to help out gets slammed...in a forum dedicated to LEO's who want to pass out information...for free...for the common good of the riders here. It's a little worse when that LEO is a founding member of the board. Kind of sad really. Now, I'm not best friends with any cop. Far from it. But I can appreciate what they do out there and what they offer here and I attempt to temper my reactions towards them with a *little* respect.

 

[motorman4life]

This whole thread has gotten out of hand. Primarily because several people posted misinformation. Please read the LEO FORUM FAQ (most particularly, the last paragraph in post #2 there) and DO NOT post answers to questions here unless you can back up your answer with the applicable law.

Our primary goal here is to squash myth, misinformation and bad intel... not help perpetuate it. This means, if you don't know for sure, refrain from posting answers here. It also means, whether you are a LEO or not, if you post bad info (as to the law) expect to get called on it and if you post good info, be prepared to back it up with an outside source, published case law or a code section.

The answer to the OP's question is that they are not required to have a front plate while operating in CA if their home state (where the vehicle is registered) does not issue 2 plates and/or does not require them to have 2 plates displayed. CVC 6700(b) is the applicable section.

Thread closed.