Register and Insure your car.

[e30onBBSs]

Register and insure your car. I was waiting for a paycheck to reg and insure the new e30 ai bought and stupidly swapped plates off the old e30, ran no front plate because of euro bumps. Got pulled, gave the reg from the old e30. Cop asks for the VIN of this one. Had to tell him that reg was from a different car. Swapping plates is a CRIMINAL CHARGE. I had no idea how serious it was. Don't do it. You may have just bought the sickest car but it can wait. Wish me luck, if I can't get the charges dropped then I have a criminal record and almost definitely won't be able to work for BMW as a tech. I think I have a good chance in court because I have no priors but holy shit. Learn from my dumbassery if you are going to do this or have done it. They may not ask for your VIN but if they do.. It's game over.

I wasn't breaking any trafffic laws. The car is low and loud when you step on it but they didn't pull me for that. They pulled me for no front plate, so at the very least put both plates on. I thought they would never ask for the VIN's but he did and damn. There are some weird discrepencies on the VIN's too, even tho they all appear as the same car on the vin decoders, and the one on the title is correct. Since the cops vin decoder thing couldn't get anything they might have the registry run an investigation on the car to make sure it wasn't stolen ever. It's really unlikely but now there is a possibility I could get my car taken just cuz I had to show cops the VIN's. And they are pulling the reg off the old car, so I can't drive that shit anymore. Luckily I'm parting it out but I would have to re-reg and insure it I think. This shit is no joke.

And Hey to the dude in the e24 and the e30 that drove by! What a weird coincidence to see an e30 as mine is being towed..

[fight4life28]

Thanks for the heads up, thought about doing this to transport a e30 form friends to home..

[matthugie]

Different states vary. In NC you have to have the car inspected before you can register it even if the annual inspection isn't due. That means if you buy private party you have to drive it to get inspected, and unless the seller leaves you their plate (which is inadvisable) the only way to do that is with a plate from a different car. It's obviously illegal to swap plates on cars, but as long as you have the paperwork with you the cops generally won't give you a ticket for it given the inherent flaw in the system.

[Exodus_2pt0]

I kind of feel bad now, I remember a thread not too long ago. In the thread, someone was asking about temp plates to transport vehicles. I was going to mention that it is a possible felony to put bad plates on your car.

I learned a lot from my JETS (Juvenile Education Training) Program. Had to take it because I got into some trouble as a minor. That, among other things, was an alternative to bars. The Police officer who held the class informed us that you are better off running with NO plates than false plates. No plates will get your car towed and a slap on the wrist.

Sorry for not warning you. But I'm sure you knew this was a bad idea.

Also, I've learned to just follow the rules on visual shit. If it will give the cops a reason to bother me I won't mess with it. Both plates, not lowered ridiculously, no loud exhausts, ect. Looking cool just isn't worth being stopped and bothered.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Different states vary. In NC you have to have the car inspected before you can register it even if the annual inspection isn't due. That means if you buy private party you have to drive it to get inspected, and unless the seller leaves you their plate (which is inadvisable) the only way to do that is with a plate from a different car. It's obviously illegal to swap plates on cars, but as long as you have the paperwork with you the cops generally won't give you a ticket for it given the inherent flaw in the system.

You're better off just leaving plates off, and keeping your paperwork on you. Luckily in VA you can get a transport plate. Otherwise best bet is to insure the vehicle before taking possession, and have the signed title in hand. At least then you are showing you are being as responsible as possible without committing a possible felony (Fraud).

[Das Delfin]

That sucks bro. I know how it feels to do stupid things... my last car was a really clean and original e36 325i convertible in boston green with a tan interior, power top worked, had an original M3 front bumper and a matching green convertible top. Car was MINT. I paid like 2400 for it and not two weeks after picking it up I swerved it into a '99 Audi S4, totalling the car. My title came in the mail the next day and for the first time in my life I actually felt like a failure. So don't worry, you're not alone in how you feel. They shouldn't take your car as long as you're honest and genuine. The best you can do when you're in court is be honest and tell them you didn't realize it was against the law and you were planning to insure it with your next paycheck. Say you know those sound like excuses but you'll do whatever you can to make good and you hope to put it behind you and move forward. And keep your car so you can drive to work and hopefully be a bmw tech.

In some states you have a grace period between buying the car and having to insure it. In CT you have to insure the car before going to the DMV to have it registered.

Did you have the car towed home or did they impound it?

[e30onBBSs]

Thats sound advice Exodus. Do what you have to do when transporting it, but until you insure and reg it DON'T drive it. In most places you will probs get away with it but when you get in an accident or something it's going to be ugly.

What do you think is gonna happen to me? I sent in the citation saying I would like to see a clerk hearing before I get summonsed.

Best case scenario I get off with just some community service?

Worst case scenario I get the charges and possibly derail my education and future?

If it goes past the clerk do I have to pay for an attorney even if it's assigned by the state?

[Das Delfin]

I've gotten tickets and gone to traffic court to contest them and at least the judge I had was very lenient with people as long as they were honest. Ie reducing fines over 1000 to only a couple hundred. I would volunteer for community service and try to be as helpful and positive as you can.

My friend just had a huge thing where he bought a brand new car and the guy at the dealership didn't fill out his insurance paperwork right. He got into an accident a month after buying the car and found out his insurance was only covering his old car. He called the bank which has the loan on the car and they ended up suing the dealership because they had sold a car which they hadn't properly insured. It was pretty dramatic and the guy who owned the dealership kept trying to screw my friend over. Eventually my friend just said he fuck it I'll get a lawyer too and the dealership agreed to straight refund him on the car. He went with a different make after that...

[e30onBBSs]

That sucks bro. I know how it feels to do stupid things... my last car was a really clean and original e36 325i convertible in boston green with a tan interior, power top worked, had an original M3 front bumper and a matching green convertible top. Car was MINT. I paid like 2400 for it and not two weeks after picking it up I swerved it into a '99 Audi S4, totalling the car. My title came in the mail the next day and for the first time in my life I actually felt like a failure. So don't worry, you're not alone in how you feel. They shouldn't take your car as long as you're honest and genuine. The best you can do when you're in court is be honest and tell them you didn't realize it was against the law and you were planning to insure it with your next paycheck. Say you know those sound like excuses but you'll do whatever you can to make good and you hope to put it behind you and move forward. And keep your car so you can drive to work and hopefully be a bmw tech.

In some states you have a grace period between buying the car and having to insure it. In CT you have to insure the car before going to the DMV to have it registered.

Did you have the car towed home or did they impound it?

Thanks Das =)

I hope it all goes well too and hell yea I'm keeping it if they don't rob me lol. I'm gonna probs reg and insure it tomorrow because I have no classes, just work at 1. That's shitty about the e36.. You had it insured right?

They towed it to my house and didn't arrest me which was cool. The tow truck driver was the same driver who towed the meth junkies from walmart!!

Thanks for the legal advice too. I really hope I get a chance. I'm stressing hard about this. I guess I just gotta put my head down and wait til the court date shows up and prepare myself. Gonna print bank statements and text messages with the seller to prove I bought it when I did. Hopefully reg and insuring it will be good for me too.

[Das Delfin]

I was wondering if you'd been arrested. If they didn't it sounds like it will work out for you. As a precaution I would be tempted to remove anything of value off your euro car (wheels, interior, bumpers) and replace them with stuff you would have parted from your old car. Just in case they come by and repo your car when you're not there. But I would still register it tomorrow like you said because when you're in court you can show that as evidence of you being serious and taking care of it. Best thing you can do with the law is be honest and don't try to hide anything.

My old car was insured but was still on the temp reg.. in CA it's a bit different. Wrecking that car was a big part of why I moved to the east coast :P

[e30onBBSs]

I was wondering if you'd been arrested. If they didn't it sounds like it will work out for you. As a precaution I would be tempted to remove anything of value off your euro car (wheels, interior, bumpers) and replace them with stuff you would have parted from your old car. Just in case they come by and repo your car when you're not there. But I would still register it tomorrow like you said because when you're in court you can show that as evidence of you being serious and taking care of it. Best thing you can do with the law is be honest and don't try to hide anything.

My old car was insured but was still on the temp reg.. in CA it's a bit different. Wrecking that car was a big part of why I moved to the east coast :P

The cops were pretty chill, and were like this is arrestable but you have a clean record and they could tell I wasn't lying to them once I told them about the reg. I'm gonna do the work and ask for community service no doubt!

I can't swap anything but wheels, may do that. Both interiors are sport seats and one has plastics. How's the east coast compared to the west?

[Exodus_2pt0]

Put on a suit and tie for Court. Explain to them that you have a job, and wouldn't have done this had you realized that it was considered a crime.

The suit and tie goes a long way. It will show respect and responsibility. Might get PBJ.

[nando]

Darwin award material right here...

good luck with court! lucky you avoided jail.

[e30onBBSs]

Just got "the con" insured and am about to go to the DMV

Put on a suit and tie for Court. Explain to them that you have a job, and wouldn't have done this had you realized that it was considered a crime.

The suit and tie goes a long way. It will show respect and responsibility. Might get PBJ.

No doubt about the suit and tie. That would be nice. Probation would be extremely easy for me, I barely ever break laws.. Don't smoke weed, don't underage drink and what have you, don't speed anymore or do dumb shit.

Darwin award material right here...



good luck with court! lucky you avoided jail.

I know man. I feel like an idiot. Especially after wrecking those junkies and being like "LOL get towed dummies" 2 days later.. My car is the one on the truck and I'm the "criminal".

[613EDRTY]

There should be no loop hole in any state or province when purchasing a new to you used vehicle. 100's of used vehicle purchases happen daily in most states and provinces. If you think there is a loop hole, your doing it wrong, call your local dmv and ask questions before driving it.

In Ontario your insurance company will automatically cover a new vehicle purchase for 30days without notice. However its advised to actually list it on your policy asap aka as Monday when purchased on a weekend.

Ontario government has 10 day temporary plates, you have to pay your sales tax and show proof of insurance to get it. This is when the ownership gets put in your name as well. Temporary plates are used to transport the car from the seller to the new owner, and then you have 10 days to get it safety'd and emissions tested. Then back to the DMV for your regular plates.

In Ontario you would have got a $5000 criminal charge for driving uninsured. After that your instantly put into the high risk insurance category, criminal record etc.

If you play with fire you get burned. Sorry op but this is shit everyone on R3v should know by the time they are 18 years old.