Out of State Plates - Target for Cops

[Mark Sedenquist]

I have never been bothered in my home state of Kentucky. Perhaps other states’ police honestly don’t recognize my specialty plates in their computer systems. But honestly, do you really think the police check every single car’s license plate that passes by?

I can nearly 100% guarantee that what's happening. Have you ever done a ride-along with a police officer -- especially in the last two years? With the advent of efficient wireless db access to the police databases, I can tell you that every single police officer runs the plates on every single intersection that they come to. When they spot an out-of-state plate they are more or less obligated, depending upon their standing rules of operations, to check for a few more things. It's actually kinda stunning how much multi-tasking is going on when a police cruiser stops for a red light or a stop sign....

I doubt that. I am a dark-skinned male in my late 20’s driving a late-model Buick with out-of-state plates.

There's no question that police officers use a variety of indicators when deciding whether they should pull someone over -- but on average, I know that in Las Vegas, my plates have probably been run at least a dozen times a day -- and most departments work on a similar production level.

Mark

[glc]

Missouri plates. Montana - I-94, 11am, not a cloud in the sky, road dry as a bone, not another car on the road. I got stopped for 81 in a 75, my GPS said 80. Don't try to tell me a Montana resident would have been stopped too, they all drive 90 up there.

[MrsPete]

I used to live in a small town that LOTS of people pass through on the way to the beach. The police stopped EVERYONE who was even barely over the speed limit . . . but they'd only ticket out-of-towners. It was common knowledge.

[CalOldBlue]

So I'm stopped in a motel parking lot in Natchez, in a rental with Iowa plates (picked up in New Orleans), trying to read a billboard when a woman from TX backs out of a parking space, turns but keeps coming right into the left front of my car... she then takes off down the parking lot.

I race in front of her, cut her off and get out to discuss things. Well, she's there for a wedding and is obviously (D)UI. My wife calls the Natchez police, who come and take a report.

I stop at the next rental agency (in Memphis) and turn in a report there.

Eventually drop the car off in Atlanta and fly home.

About a month later comes the letter from the Mississipi DMV: "Where's OUR report?". I ignore.

About a month after that comes letter 2: "Your driving privileges in the State of Mississippi have been suspended."

OK, I guess I'm not going back.

[CalOldBlue]

I can nearly 100% guarantee that what's happening. Have you ever done a ride-along with a police officer -- especially in the last two years? With the advent of efficient wireless db access to the police databases, I can tell you that every single police officer runs the plates on every single intersection that they come to.

Mark

There is technology these days that automatically scans license plates, runs them through a computer, and pops up any anomalies... all without the officer having to do anything. Some jurisdictions have special units that just cruise the streets looking for stolen autos/other "wants".

[Mark Sedenquist]

About a month after that comes letter 2: "Your driving privileges in the State of Mississippi have been suspended."
OK, I guess I'm not going back.

It's not that simple anymore, just about every state's DMV records are now accessible in the Federal database and it's entirely possible that a routine plate scan (like you mentioned above) in California might trigger a stop/arrest/hold until you get this straightened out...

Mark

[CalOldBlue]

It's not that simple anymore, just about every state's DMV records are now accessible in the Federal database and it's entirely possible that a routine plate scan (like you mentioned above) in California might trigger a stop/arrest/hold until you get this straightened out...

Mark

Well, since this happened in 1983, I'm going under a couple of assumptions:

1) If they cared enough they would have caught me by now
2) Mississippi probably doesn't carry 25-year-old documentation violations in their system.

I'm not guilty of a violation, I'm guilty of failing to file paperwork.

Also: recall this was a rental car; they ain't got MY plates!

Have to say though, I enjoyed both Natchez and Vicksburg, and the drive up the river road... would like to go back sometime, but Linda will be driving that stretch.

[holasrmateo]

I was googling this and the mere mention of two Utah instances was enough to take 10 minutes out of my life which I would have spent just lurking.

I was driving a in the vicinity of Escalante, UT (Garfield County, UT - same county sheriffs since there aren't any cities) on my way back from Bryce Canyon and I get pulled over for doing almost 40 in a 30 going into town. Even though Utah drivers are perhaps the worse drivers I've experienced in CONUS.

One can argue that illegal is illegal but there is an obvious unequal application of the law. Being out of state, I had no practical right to due process since the fine was less than the cost of traveling back to fight it. Although speeding is speeding, it was obvious I would simply pay the county $80-90, without contest. Comparatively, had I been a resident, or possible resident, it would have been feasible to appeal.

Small towns are like gypsies stealing from visitors when it comes to tickets and nothing says carpetbagger than a plate from several states over.

[Lifemagician]

Why not just obey the road laws as they stand wherever you are. Who cares what other drivers do. You are only responsible for your behaviour on the road, not that of others.

Lifey who likes to stay a mile or so below

[bertha]

Found this thread interesting & it explains a lot!
On our Rte66 trip, we were driving towards St Louis in a rental car with California plates we have a Scotland Flag on a little pole attatched to the vehicle. Its raining hard & my husband is driving well within speed limit & keeping a respectable distance from the car infront. However whoever is doing the driving in this car keeps breaking & we get a little closer, my husband pulls back each time. Next thing we are pulled over. Officer "You were driving a bit too close to the guy infront" my husband explained what had been happening. He then asks us where we are from & asks to see his licence, husband tells him Scotland, we get way with a warning to keep our distance well away from vehicles in front.
In all the years of driving a rental through 40 states that so far has been the only time we encountered the long arm of the law.
Bertha