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Doh! Got a ticket

This is crazy. I knew I had to get my license plate sticker renewed (expired 1/31), but I had no money. I got paid today so I brought the renewal form to work so I could fill it out online and print out the receipt showing that I purchased it and it would be coming in the mail in a few business days. I get about halfway through and I see that they require insurance information. Darn, my insurance card is in my car and it's cold and snowing outside. I figure no big deal, I'll just do it at home. It shows that I don't get a late fee as long as I pay it this month. If I buy it after 2/29 then I get charged a $20 late fee.

So I leave work and head to the gym. I'm in there for about 2 hours. When I get out I see some soggy paper under my windshield wiper. I'm thinking it's a stupid flyer for something. I grab it and wipe off the snow, and I see it's a ticket. I'm like, "Wow, seriously?". I thought I had a grace period. I could see if it's March and I don't have it yet, but it's only been a few days and I didn't have the money.

I got home and called the police department. I figure I'll just tell them the truth and see what they say. Maybe since I have a clean record and I bought the sticker they will cut me a break. They said the people that handle tickets are only there from 8-5 so I need to call back in the morning.

🙁

Cliffs
- Vehicle sticker expired 1/31
- Got paid 2/6
- Wanted to buy sticker but needed car insurance card
- Figured I would buy it at home when I had the card
- Went to work out
- Ticket waiting when i got out
- I'm a sad panda now 🙁
 
There's usually a 30+ day grace period, at least in Oklahoma.
Usually in cases like this if you get the sticker and show them proof, they will drop the ticket.
Nothing to worry about!
 
That's chicken shit. Cops should be out busting real criminals, not law abiding citizens who are 6 days late on renewing their license.

 
Don't know about the frozen wasteland known as Illinois, but here in Kahleeforneeya, you're subject to a citation the day after your registration expires...however, it comes under the category of a "fix-it" ticket, so if you get your registration paid and updated,(there will be a penalty for late payment) you can have any law enforcement officer sign off on the ticket, and IIRC, it then costs you $10 to clear the ticket. (might have increased to $20...not sure)
 
Originally posted by: thegimp03
That's chicken shit. Cops should be out busting real criminals, not law abiding citizens who are 6 days late on renewing their license.

Years back, I got pulled over at 8AM the very day mine expired and got a ticket.
 
I often wonder what the local cops do with all their time while crusing between donut shops. Every time I go out, I see at least a couple of cars with plates that are more than 6 months expired, if not a couple of years.
Kahleeforneeya law only says that you have to have submitted your renewal (either by the internet or with a postmark) by the due date. If you get stopped by the cops, the ticket is automatically dismissed by the DMV and the ticketing agency as long as you have proof that you met the deadline.

Hey...I've got a revenue-enhancing idea for Ah-nold...start paying good citizens like me to snitch on my fellow drivers who have expired plates...Let us get 10% of the license fee and fines....😀
(I can see that getting FUGLY very quickly)
 
Don't they have to PULL YOU OVER to give you an expired registration ticket?

Your car has to be registered to DRIVE it, not to PARK it.
 
Originally posted by: jagec
Don't they have to PULL YOU OVER to give you an expired registration ticket?

Your car has to be registered to DRIVE it, not to PARK it.

Each state is a bit different on that issue. In Kahleeforneeya, if it's parked on a city street with expired registration, it gets ticketed (if they catch you or your neighbor turns you in) if it's on private property, then no ticket, but you still have to pay the late penalties.
 
Originally posted by: jagec
Don't they have to PULL YOU OVER to give you an expired registration ticket?

Your car has to be registered to DRIVE it, not to PARK it.

Actually, my town has a local ordinance for parking with an expired registration...but only on the street.

As for IL, the grace period is the month your plate is up for renewal. 02-08 means you have the entire month of February to renew. It's really not that hard to keep up. Yes, I do give tickets for plates that are expired for more than a month. Bite me.
 
I'm in CA and mines due in a couple weeks, with the smog certificate that costs another $75. If its late here in CA (no grace period) they hit you with some pretty major fines.

My problem is I need to get it smog checked but my "check engine light" is on, which (I think) is an automatic fail. It's been on since I recharged my A/C nearly two years ago, so I know it has to do with that. (happened within a day, and I checked everything else)

Don't mess with the DMV, or if you saw my other thread, the IRS.
 
When did you first get the renewal notice for the sticker and the insurance?
 
Originally posted by: 911paramedic
I'm in CA and mines due in a couple weeks, with the smog certificate that costs another $75. If its late here in CA (no grace period) they hit you with some pretty major fines.

My problem is I need to get it smog checked but my "check engine light" is on, which (I think) is an automatic fail. It's been on since I recharged my A/C nearly two years ago, so I know it has to do with that. (happened within a day, and I checked everything else)

Don't mess with the DMV, or if you saw my other thread, the IRS.

most owners manuals tell you how to turn that off.
 
Originally posted by: BoomerD
Originally posted by: jagec
Don't they have to PULL YOU OVER to give you an expired registration ticket?

Your car has to be registered to DRIVE it, not to PARK it.

Each state is a bit different on that issue. In Kahleeforneeya, if it's parked on a city street with expired registration, it gets ticketed (if they catch you or your neighbor turns you in) if it's on private property, then no ticket, but you still have to pay the late penalties.

Depending on how long the tags are overdue, they can, and will tow it. As to being on private property, wrong Boomer, if they see it, or a neighbor snitches, they can, and will come and tow it, (happened to me).
 
Originally posted by: EagleKeeper
When did you first get the renewal notice for the sticker and the insurance?

The insurance was never an issue. That's always been current.

I got the notice for the sticker towards the end of January. I just didn't have the money to buy it until now.

I'm going to call in a bit and see what they say. Hopefully they're in a good mood!
 
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