I own a BMW with German front license plate. It has a valid...

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Answer by Kines
Submitted on 10/14/2005
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Calif. vehicle code: 5200 CVC - When two license plates are issued by the DMV for a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear. 5201 CVC - License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from swinging and shall be mounted in a position to be clearly visible, and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible. The front license plate shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground. 5201 (e) CVC - No covering shall be used on license plates, excluding license plate security covers. 5202 CVC – Every license plate issued by this State or any jurisdiction within or without the United States shall remain attached during the period of its validity to the vehicle for which it is issued while being operated within this State. Therefore, unless the plate had expired, you are required to keep it on your vehicle. If you were not issued a California front plate then the German plate, or even not having a front plate is allowed. Further, if the vehicle is rgistered in another state, your plates, license, registration, etc., are still valid in claifornia until they expire,and you may have whatever license plate is allowed in THAT state under the "Full Faith and Credit" clause of the US Constitution. They may even be renewed as long as you maintain legal residency in the locality they were issued. However, if you claim residency in California you are required by many various regulatory agencies to register/license in California. Also note the CVC (California Vehicle Code} is a regulatory manual, not all parts of it are really Law, many portions are "interpretations" of other regulations drafted by beaureucrats with more time than brains. Regulations are NOT Laws, regulations usually have little or no legislative review,and are NOT passed by elected representatives. They are constructs of executive branch opinion, not properly drafted and validated laws, an important distinction indeed.

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Question by Janie
Submitted on 12/13/2003
Related FAQ: FAQ: California Driving (and Surviving)
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I own a BMW with German front license plate. It has a valid CA number. I was ticketed for not having a valid CA license plate on the front of my car. Are European plates illegal even if the CA license plate number is on the european plate?

Answer by lwpat
Submitted on 12/14/2003
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"I own a BMW with German front license plate. It has a valid CA number. I was ticketed for not having a valid CA license plate on the front of my car. Are European plates illegal even if the CA license plate number is on the european plate?" The law requires you to display the tag issued by the Department fo Motor Vehicles. This is kind of a "ticky-tacky" traffic ticket. Sounds like you may have been speeding and the officer gave you a break and wrote a non-moving violation instead.

Answer by Mary
Submitted on 4/5/2004
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California State law requires that all vehicles Registered in California) display California plates

Answer by Johnny G
Submitted on 2/17/2005
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Does anyone have the wording for the law that states it is required to display a Maryland License Plate on the FRONT of you car in Maryland??? THANK YOU!!!

Answer by bestbude
Submitted on 2/20/2005
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I discovered that my front car license plate was stolen when I received a ticket for not having the front plate. Would I be able to have this ticket void?

Answer by Leif
Submitted on 4/17/2006
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can i buy germany license plates and register them in calforina and drive around without getting a ticket?

Answer by jeeperjim
Submitted on 11/22/2006
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beast1

Answer by european license plates
Submitted on 5/21/2007
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<a href="http://www.customeuropeanplates.com">european license plates</a>

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