I know its normal to get asked for license, registration, and proof of insurance. But why ask for the registration? When I register every year, the county sends me a sticker with the plate number and expiration date to stick on the lic plate. The cops van see the plate and date right? Plus I’m sure they run the plate when they pull you over anyway. Seems to me they already know the registration status.

So why do they still ask for the registration paper?

  • FriendOfDeSoto@startrek.websiteEnglish
    15·
    2 days ago

    Stickers can be forged. Checking your papers against a database is a lot more certain. The sticker is just there (or out of date) to justify pulling you over.

    • Drusas@fedia.io
      16·
      2 days ago

      And it’s common for vehicle thieves to swap plates on vehicles that they steal. They may want to check to match the registration and the plate.

      • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
        92·
        2 days ago

        Nah. The plate either matches the vehicle or it doesn’t. Sure, you can steal one from a very similar car, but then that tag is in the db for being stolen. Not having that piece of paper is one more angle for getting probable cause to fuck with you, and deliver a ticket.

        • OwOarchist@pawb.socialEnglish
          8·
          2 days ago

          but then that tag is in the db for being stolen.

          Not if you put the plates from the stolen car onto that car and that car’s owner doesn’t notice…

        • Vandals_handle@lemmy.worldEnglish
          41·
          2 days ago

          Some cases they don’t need your license either, they can see an image of your license by entering your name and birthdate into their cars computer.

          • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
            2·
            2 hours ago

            I’ve been pulled over because they saw my license was suspended. Later I learned that case law prohibits that from being used as probable cause.