[SuperCooperS2B]

Hi,

I just ordered my MCS last week...YEA....and sold my CRX over the weekend...got a call from the guy who bought the car saying it was not registered. Well of course it was, some ahole stole the tags. So when I get my MINI I want to be able to keep the tags from being stolen but I have yet to find out if a license plate cover is legal in CA...anyone know?

Thanks

[NEMINI]

since a cover would just be screwed in with the same 4 screws holding the license plate on how would that stop a thief from stealing your plate?

BTW: dunno about CA but they are not legal in NY tho its unenforced

[SuperCooperS2B]

hmmm, because I said tags not plate....I am trying the keep the TAGS from being ripped off the plate so if the guy has to unscrew the plate to get a cover off to get at the tags he is less likely to take my tags and will go for someone's tags that does not have a covered plate.

Anyone know if they are legal in CA or not enforced?

[stryder]

I think it depends where you live in CA. Like missing license plates, they're illegal, but rarely enforced except when you've done something to irritate a cop, they'll get you for it.

Also It would depend what color, I think you'd way more likely to get into trouble if you have one that isn't totally clear.

Why not just use some security bolts to attach your plate? You could order some online from a industrial supplier, or there's more generic ones available at auto places, usually security Torx.

[skinnybonedog]

I sure think I am being clear about this....I am talking about the TAGS....the registration tags being stolen, not the plate itself...although now that has me thinking too since I will be getting custom plates. But I found this that should be pefect and IS legal in CA....www.lockum.com...kinda ugly but I am trying to find out if they have a thin black version.

[moorlockx]

I don't think anything would be said about a clear plastic cover over the plate. The laws were passed to stop the use of tinted covers that you had a hard time reading the plate through.

[NEMINI]

Just for clarification Skinny, some states refer to the entire license plate as a tag ... I now know you are refering to the registration stickers That lockum thing looks like it would do the job for you though

[ches]

I think you should be OK:

California Vehicle Code Section 5201.2: "The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs. No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number."

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/wa...ion=re trieve

[stryder]

Yeah, sorry, I'm used to Tags being slang for plates, not related to registration stickers, Also aparently I just totalled missed your second post.

Anyway, that lockum things looks like its probably 1/2" or thicker, since it needs keys, I think a clear cover would a better idea, though be careful it doesn't fade in the sun. Of course you could always dremel a clear cover... then you'd have most of the protection of the lockum without its general ugliness, and cheaper too.

[Polmear]

Michigan used to have the same problem,people clipping the corners of plates to steal the date tags, a couple of years ago, the state passed a law requiring the plate # be printed on all tags, and , miracle of miracles, the clipping has almost completely stopped.
Call your state rep and request they look into adopting a similar requirement......... or use a cover

[skinnybonedog]

sorry, didn't know "tags" were also a name for the whole plate...so I really was not being clear But thanks for the thoughts....seems in CA it is only legal to cover the area where the stickers are and so far all I have seen is the Lockum and another little device that locks onto the holes and covers just the right hand sticker....so I will have to see if I can find them locally to see how ugly they are.

Thanks

[NEMINI]

thats probably the reason NY has registration and inspection stickers in the front window and not on the plate

[stryder]

A very commong dealer phrase is 'that doesn't include tax or tags' aka, you have to pay sales tax, and the fees involved in licensing a new car.

Check out the dremel route, it may be easier and while not as protective as the whole locking thing, its at least a deterrant, they can steal the stickers off the next car down the block.

I think the reason NY reg + inspection are on the front window are 3 main reasons: they can fit barcordes and all the other stuff they have on there like the year of the carm, they can do traffic checks by standing in the middle of the road, and since you can keep your plate indefinetly (until they get bored and change the design) it just doesn't make sense to stick things to a plate for one car, when you can move it to another car.

Since CA and many other states assign the plate to one car only, it makes more sense to apply stickers directly to the plate.

[SuperCooperS2B]

What's "the dremel route"...I know what a dremel tool is but I am not sure what I would do with it to make my plate and tags less likely to get stolen...sorry for being dumb.

[stryder]

This is just a suggestion off the top of my head, i'm not sure how it would work, but it should be cheap (since clear covers are only a few bucks)

Borrow a dremel and cut out a normal plate cover, so its only really covering the stickers, just leave enough on the sides for stability.

You should end up with something that looks like the locking one, but is much thinner and doesn't cover the numbers, so would be entirely legal, and covers the stickers enough that unless someone feels like prying the cover off and breaking it, they can't remove the stickers.

[SuperCooperS2B]

OK, yeah....I was thinking about that today...I have cut lexan on my table saw with pretty good results. Have quite a bit of it around because I use it on frog tanks. Maybe I will try to cut something this weekend.

Thanks