[sinuspain]

I can't believe this but I just got a parking ticket today for no front plate in Santa Monica--and this was in a goddamn parking structure. Like wtf?

So do I pay it or not? They only have my vin. The whole idea just pisses me off so much...I now can't help but hate Santa Monica a bit

[Mobster1983]

Why are you complaining? That's the risk you take for not having a front plate in Cali. Just pay the fine and get on with it.

And yes, if they have your VIN they know who you are. It is on your registration.

[jdong]

Sorry dude, it's state law to have a front LP. You can either pay the violation in full ($115 or so), or bend over backwards by giving them a fix it ticket. Either way, it's an equipment violation with no points or repeat offense escalating punishments.

On my previous Audi I simply paid the fee. The Audi solution to the front plate is a special front bumper which would've been some $600 to replace. And I never got 6 tickets.

I've heard they enforce it a ton more in SoCal than in NorCal. But at any rate, it is enforceable in California even if your car is parked on private property. Not paying it would probably get you in more trouble than you want to be in.

[izzyM2]

This usual his only a fix it ticket. Just pay and forget.

[roadcarver]

I would think you would have to be actually be driving on the roads to receive the ticket. Does the law say that you must have the plate on your car if the car is parked in your driveway or somewhere else? I doubt it. The burden of proof should be on them that you are actually driving the vehicle without the front plate and all they witnessed was the car sitting in a parking spot without it which I doubt is illegal but I could be wrong. Worth checking into to I think.

[chetman7]

You broke the law and you're complaining about 25 bucks?

[auf Deutsch]

I feel sorry for you guys who's state requires a front plate. It ruins the look of the front fascia.

That being said, you can get a hidden system where the plate slides underneath the bumper via a motor. I saw it on a youtube vid. Maybe you can fight your ticket by saying you had that set-up??

[pootytang]

Yea front plates are devil's food. Anyways, my recommendation is to stick it to the man and wipe your butt with the ticket. Do the same with every ticket you get. Eventually, they'll throw one of those giant orange boots on your car. Fear not, because a set of bolt cutters are all you need. Then, once they put out a warrant on you and you get pulled over, don't worry and put it in sport +, I've driven a police interceptor and they have nothing on the N55. Now once the radio gets on you, don't worry, you'll only have "1 star". Try not to shoot any cops or run over them or you'll be bumped up to "2 stars". If you can't get away fast enough, "3 stars" will come and then you're pretty screwed (natl' guard comes in). At this point I'd recommend buying a tank or getting into a plane. Usually parachuting works. If all else fails you'll be out $5,000, wake up in a hospital and have to steal a new car.

[pootytang]

Originally Posted by sinuspain

I can't believe this but I just got a parking ticket today for no front plate in Santa Monica--and this was in a goddamn parking structure. Like wtf?

So do I pay it or not? They only have my vin. The whole idea just pisses me off so much...I now can't help but hate Santa Monica a bit

LOL

[335BOY]

Originally Posted by auf Deutsche

I feel sorry for you guys who's state requires a front plate. It ruins the look of the front fascia.

That being said, you can get a hidden system where the plate slides underneath the bumper via a motor. I saw it on a youtube vid. Maybe you can fight your ticket by saying you had that set-up??

Good point. All cars with front plates look like shi&! Just awful. I can't look at them.

[BMWFanatic2008]

Tell them someone stole your front-end plate?

[sinuspain]

Originally Posted by drob23

Yea front plates are devil's food. Anyways, my recommendation is to stick it to the man and wipe your butt with the ticket. Do the same with every ticket you get. Eventually, they'll throw one of those giant orange boots on your car. Fear not, because a set of bolt cutters are all you need. Then, once they put out a warrant on you and you get pulled over, don't worry and put it in sport +, I've driven a police interceptor and they have nothing on the N55. Now once the radio gets on you, don't worry, you'll only have "1 star". Try not to shoot any cops or run over them or you'll be bumped up to "2 stars". If you can't get away fast enough, "3 stars" will come and then you're pretty screwed (natl' guard comes in). At this point I'd recommend buying a tank or getting into a plane. Usually parachuting works. If all else fails you'll be out $5,000, wake up in a hospital and have to steal a new car.

I think this is the route I'm gonna take. Fuck the cops!

[johndeere]

Originally Posted by sinuspain

I can't believe this but I just got a parking ticket today for no front plate in Santa Monica--and this was in a goddamn parking structure. Like wtf?

So do I pay it or not? They only have my vin. The whole idea just pisses me off so much...I now can't help but hate Santa Monica a bit

I don't understand people like you. You're obviously breaking the law, and then complain about being given a ticket for substantially less than you should have. If anything, you should be happy.

On the other hand, perhaps you should call the parking authority and complain they gave you the wrong ticket. I'm guessing you'd prefer to get the $115 fine over the $25 fine?

[armanm]

OP if you do not want to drill holes in your bumper I suggest you use 3M double sided tape and tape it to the cover its very sturdy.

[DF]

After I got five of those (Santa Monica, Westwood and three in Silverlake) I just put the plate on. While I like the look of the car without it the cost was just getting out of hand with these tickets.

Like you I stopped parking on the street and payed for a garage in both SaMo and Westwood, until I found out they actually ticket in a garage.

[MediaArtist]

4 years of going to visit clients in Santa Monica (at least twice a month), and no front plate tickets yet!

(I also don't park at the regular mall parking structures either)

[DF]

Originally Posted by roadcarver

I would think you would have to be actually be driving on the roads to receive the ticket. Does the law say that you must have the plate on your car if the car is parked in your driveway or somewhere else? I doubt it. The burden of proof should be on them that you are actually driving the vehicle without the front plate and all they witnessed was the car sitting in a parking spot without it which I doubt is illegal but I could be wrong. Worth checking into to I think.

In CA it needs to be displayed at all times. Driving or not.

[Billup]

3M double sided tape.



Also, complaining about a $25 ticket? Lol, hmmmm. You can probably find that in change on the ground.

[Maestro]

Is it a real ticket,and what I mean by that is did the police write the ticket or did some sort of meter-maid write the ticket. The last time I check meter-maid can not write tickets for anything but for parking tickets. The other thing the ticket does not appear to have the specific vehicle code you violated which is also required on a ticket like that.

From the looks it they were using one of those automatic license recognition systems where they drive around record licence plates and then measure the time you are there and ticket you if you over stay your welcome. They must have drove by and the system register no plate and kicked out a ticket.

How did they get the VIN and where it is on the ticket?

[jdong]

Originally Posted by Maestro

Is it a real ticket,and what I mean by that is did the police write the ticket or did some sort of meter-maid write the ticket. The last time I check meter-maid can not write tickets for anything but for parking tickets. The other thing the ticket does not appear to have the specific vehicle code you violated which is also required on a ticket like that.

From the looks it they were using one of those automatic license recognition systems where they drive around record licence plates and then measure the time you are there and ticket you if you over stay your welcome. They must have drove by and the system register no plate and kicked out a ticket.

How did they get the VIN and where it is on the ticket?

It looks like a valid citation for V.C. 5200 (aka a ticket). In most metropolitan areas, meter maids are considered peace officers under California Penal Code, which means they are allowed to ticket you for anything, as well as arresting you.

And to roadcarver, the plate display tickets DO apply to vehicles and vessels parked on private property, and this includes things like displaying front and rear plates and having the correct registration sticker and the rear plate.


Relevant sections are 4000 V.C. and 5200:

For displaying appropriate registration proof:

No person shall drive, move, or leave standing upon a highway, or in an offstreet public parking facility, any motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole or pipe dolly, or logging dolly, unless it is registered and the appropriate fees have been paid under this code or registered under the permanent trailer identification program, except that an off-highway motor vehicle which displays an identification plate or device issued by the department pursuant to Section 38010 may be driven, moved, or left standing in an offstreet public parking facility without being registered or paying registration fees.



5201. (a) License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to ...

[sinuspain]

Originally Posted by Billup

3M double sided tape.



Also, complaining about a $25 ticket? Lol, hmmmm. You can probably find that in change on the ground.

Thanks hopefully I'll find your change lying around then? My bad I don't have money to hand out like you do


Anyways, I'll prob just pay it but I thought getting a ticket and parking structures were antonymous

[MediaArtist]

Meter maids can indeed give you tickets that are not parking related.

At the South County Metro station, I was given a ticket on my A6 for not having plates/registration (temp registration was near the window displayed). I eventually got the ticket dismissed through mail, but it shows that meter maids do give out tickets.