license plate stolen
 

So it was, can't get it replaced till tomorrow. How big of a deal is it to drive today without one? Does the state matter? I'm in arizona.

Thanks.

Don't do it. I'm in arizona too and I got pulled over for a busted license plate light. Of course, once you're on your way to the DMV then it may not be a problem.

Conact your local law enforcement office and let them know that it was stolen, meaning file a report if you haven't already. This will protect you if someone uses it in any illegal activity. Also, it should give you the paperwork to show an officer if you get pulled over driving to work and driving to the DMV.

Ya we did call the police, we are waiting on them to call us back to give us the report number or some such. The problem is I don't think they'll call back before I need to leave.

Impetuous1, did you get a ticket? Or just a warning?

If you need to risk it, you can hope that you get a sympathetic cop (if you get pulled over) that would be willing (if it's possible) to look up the fact that you have filed a report.

Does Arizona issue two license plates? I know they do in California, but they don't in Florida. If they do issue two, put the front one on the back. If it was the front one that was stolen (provisioned on having two in the first place), then risk it. If they don't issue two, then you're taking a risk. Maybe try putting a piece of paper in the frame with your license plate number until you get to where you're going, kinda like the paper plates that car dealers issue.

My friend decided not to go to the party so I just decided not to bother. Dumb rule though that punishes the victims. What are you supposed to do if it got stolen while you were out? Call a tow truck? Then a cab to get to the dmv. Like poor people can afford that.

Funny side note however, the cop I filed the report to kept asking if it was stolen yesterday or today, like 3 or 4 times throughout the conversation. So I asked him if he was honestly forgetting, or if it was a consistency question (to try and decide if I was telling the truth). Long pause, then told me he couldn't answer that. I think that was answer enough. But I was just guessing, anyone know for sure if they do that? Should I have kept my mouth shut?

It's a shame the system is designed to deal with the dishonest and dumb.

If something had happened involving your license plate last night, but your plate was stolen yesterday, that would obviously make a difference as to whether it was stolen yesterday or today, and he would want to make sure (as they probably do in interrogations) that you were telling the truth. As for him asking multiple times, then not answering the consistency question, you have your answer. He was trying to catch you in a lie, trying to see if you'd forget what your answer (alibi) was.

Since someone was thievish enough to steal your license plate, they may have been criminalish enough to use it on their car in the commission of a crime. You may want to make sure you have an alibi for the time between when it was stolen, and when you reported it, just in case.

The fact that you asked him shows your intelligence, which could be good or bad. Just hope that nothing actually happened with your plate. If something did, then you've tipped your hand. An innocent thing for an innocent person to ask, but a setup thing for a guilty person to ask.

generally people steal plates to wash the stickers off and re-apply valid stickers to expired vehicles. they generally dont steal plates for use in the commision of crimes.. thats what stolen cars are for. Reporting it is definitely something you should have done. As for driving without them, you'll probably get stopped but i don't know of a single cop who would actually cite someone for that, especially if you reported it.

Call the office back where you reported them stolen, give them your name and ask for the case number. It shouldnt take any longer than an hour or two before a case number should have been pulled and with that it lends credibility to your story.

Also make sure you have the registration to the vehicle handy so that you can quickly show the cop that it is indeed a case of missing plates instead of someone stealing the vehicle and tossing the hot plates.

I don't see how this in any way punishes the victim. As a vehicle owner, i'd be downright pissed if i thought someone could steal my car and then simply pull the plates off and be able to run around unsuspected of anything.

Right. I don't mean it like that. I only meant I shouldn't get a citation. The cops should definetely pull over and check cars with no plates to make sure they arnt stolen, if they are then get them for that. But if I have proper registration, and have reported it stolen, I should have a fair amount of time to get new plates. Not have to take off work the next day, and pay for a cab to get down there legally. Like you said, most cops probably wouldn't cite me for it anyway, but the law is still there.

Even if they did cite you you'd go in front of a judge, show your report, show you have replaced the tags, and he'd dismiss the charges.

Back in "the day", what I would do is issue a "fixit" citation. Basically what this does is to put the citation in a hold status. You have 3 days to have the problem corrected, then present the citation with verification of the corrected problem to any law enforcement official, who then signs off that the problem was in fact corrected, and the citation goes bye-bye. Do not have the problem corrected, then the citation is issued, often turning into a warrant for your arrest, as most people tend to "forget" that it was written.
Most cops, contrary to popular belief are not soulless automatons with ice water in their veins. Ok...a few...but still. We know that you were on your way to the DMV just as we pulled you over. ;) Just get it taken care of.

If they wanted to speed on the 101 (that is if the theif is in Scottsdale, AZ) and not get a ticket, this seems like a way to do that.

I would be worried about tickets showing up in the mail. It could be obvious it wasn't your car, but if the guy was smart, he took it off of the same model.

I would suggest investing in some anti-theft license plate screws that they sell at a auto parts store.

I live in Tempe and I recently had my plate stolen, too. Actually, not only did they steal my plate and frame, but they gave me someone else's plate - complete with their license plate frame. How weird is that?

I called the police and they filled out a report (which you need to get another plate). You can print out a temporary 3-day restricted use permit online, which you print out and tape in your back window, for $1. Go to https://servicearizona.com/webapp/permit3/start.do and follow the instructions. With this permit you can legally drive to and from work, etc., until you can get another plate (which is $5) at the MVD. I would definitely NOT drive without it, as the fines can be very hefty.

What an inconvenience, huh?