Seeing many cars in the state without plates (San Jose: crime, felony)

[kyle242]

How come new cars from dealership are allowed to drive without license plates? I moved from Illinois and lived in Iowa, Massachusetts and I have not seen this often until I moved to this state. In Illinois, actually once you buy new car, your dealer registers your car with SOS (doing DMV function in IL) and puts new permanent plates onto your car. It saves you time from visiting sos/dmv to get plates. In Iowa, I have seen cars put temporary paper registration plate on the back.

Does that not create an incentive to commit a serious traffic crime by buying a cheap used car to run over somebody on a street? No plates, no way to identify a car except model and color.

I see cars without plates a lot in the Bay area, especially around San Jose.

[MediocreButArrogant]

Plates stay with the car in CA. The new owner of a used car inherits the old plates.

When you buy a new car, the dealer sends in the paperwork and the plates are mailed to you.

Used car with no plates is usually a stolen car full of thugs on their way to commit a felony.

[jeremy2788]

When you buy a new car in California, there should be a paper tag in the front window.

[JGC97]

Plates stay with the car in CA. The new owner of a used car inherits the old plates.

Unless they are personalized plates. Those stay with the original owner for their next vehicle.

I don't use a front license plate. Just the back one. I know, it's a violation but I just never got around to putting it on the car (in 2002). Now that's I've written this down, I'll probably be pulled over tomorrow for not having one. It's like if you say it, it happens.

[Electrician4you]

How else can California DMV justify their existence and how badly we need them. Imagine keeping your original plate or better yet your DL actually BECOMES your license plate. The plate is automatically registered to you. That's how Nevada does it. Well at least they used to.

[cb73]

Originally Posted by Electrician4you

How else can California DMV justify their existence and how badly we need them. Imagine keeping your original plate or better yet your DL actually BECOMES your license plate. The plate is automatically registered to you. That's how Nevada does it. Well at least they used to.

Since your drivers license is often used to commit identity theft, I wouldn't want it displayed on my car.

And this is California--how many households have more than one car?