Got a ticket for an expired license plate sticker... [Archive]

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jltapawan

Sep 26th, 2008, 12:23 AM

Whitedart

Sep 26th, 2008, 12:52 AM

Hi,

I got a ticket for an expired license plate sticker (expired sept. 11) I got pulled over Sept 24. I also didn't have my insurance card in the vehicle and i was issued a ticket for that as well.

The total for both tickets is $175 ($110+$65)

I want to fight it in court do you have any advice for me?

What were you pulled over for? And why did you not renew the validation sticker?

Also on the tickets the officer made an error and put my vehicle as model year 2008 when in fact it is not a 2008. I was told that could invalidate the ticket is that true?

That is not an error. If is for the year of your plate, not your vehicle.

CheapScotsman

Sep 26th, 2008, 01:00 AM

wow ... you got off easy.

Here in BC, the government runs auto insurance along with the license plate "stickers". They are all in one.

No up to date sticker means no up to date insurance. My sister hit a road block about 15 years ago and had "forgotten" to get her license plate/insurance renewed.

A $1000+ fine, plus she had to buy insurance before she could drive it again plus she had to have her vehicle towed from the road block.

jltapawan

Sep 26th, 2008, 02:12 AM

What were you pulled over for? And why did you not renew the validation sticker?

The officer told me I had not commited any driving infractions. She said she just noticed I had Sept Stickers and looked up my plates while she was behind me. I actually went to renew my sticker however my vehicle didn't pass emissions and I am/was in the process of fixing that.

That is not an error. If is for the year of your plate, not your vehicle.

I see, thanks for clearing that up.

gman

Sep 26th, 2008, 02:44 AM

Hi,

I got a ticket for an expired license plate sticker (expired sept. 11) I got pulled over Sept 24. I also didn't have my insurance card in the vehicle and i was issued a ticket for that as well.

The total for both tickets is $175 ($110+$65)

I want to fight it in court do you have any advice for me?

Also on the tickets the officer made an error and put my vehicle as model year 2008 when in fact it is not a 2008. I was told that could invalidate the ticket is that true?

Thanks in advance.

What would be your argument?

By the way, if you want to use the following as an excuse, the chance is it probably will not help if it does not make it worse.

I actually went to renew my sticker however my vehicle didn't pass emissions and I am/was in the process of fixing that.

That means you knew you have an expired sticker but you drove it anyway.

gfong

Sep 26th, 2008, 06:40 AM

From what you stated you do not have anything to go to court with. It is too bad that they did not tjust tell you to show up at the Police station with proof, but I guess as you had no insurance and the plates were out that is why the fine. Good luck.

pintobean

Sep 26th, 2008, 11:56 AM

I want to fight it in court
What would be your argument?

By the way, if you want to use the following as an excuse, the chance is it probably will not help if it does not make it worse.
I actually went to renew my sticker however my vehicle didn't pass emissions and I am/was in the process of fixing that.
That means you knew you have an expired sticker but you drove it anyway.
I received a ticket for expired plates in September 2007.

I had tried to renew the sticker on time, but the ServiceOntario machine said that I needed to pass an emissions test first.

So I went to do the emissions test, but I failed. Apparently something was wrong with my catalytic converter. I had the catalytic converter replaced, and then tried the emissions test a second time. Unfortunately, I failed again.

My auto shop then did some more diagnostics, and found something else that was wrong (I can't remember what). A part needed to be replaced, but since it was still covered under my warranty from VW, my auto shop told me to take it back to a VW dealer and have it replaced there for free. So I took my car to VW and asked them to replace the part. They agreed to replace the part, but it took them 4 days to get the part delivered. In the meantime, my plates expired.

After the part was replaced at VW, I (illegally) drove my car 5 minutes back to my auto mechanic and had a third emission test done. Shockingly, I failed again. The mechanic said that there was nothing else wrong with the car, and he suggested that I needed to drive the car for a few days to "work in" the new parts and burn off the "oils and lubricants" that were probably making me fail the emissions tests.

I told him that my plates were expired and that I wasn't allowed to drive the car until I passed the emissions test...he told me I wouldn't pass the test until I drove the car for a bit.

So I was stuck in a catch 22.

I took the car home and decided to take it out for a drive the next day before taking it back for a fourth emissions test. While I was driving around, I got stopped by a cop. I explained this story to him, but he didn't care and issued me a ticket. Since I had already spent $400+ trying to pass the test, I decided to fight the ticket.

When I went to court for my First Attendance appointment, I took all my receipts with me. I presented my story to the prosecutor and he asked to see the receipts so he could see how much I had spent on fixing up my car. I showed him the receipts, and he agreed to withdraw the ticket.

So to gman, it is indeed possible to win such a ticket by saying that you were in the process of having the emissions test done (but obviously you have to be able to prove it).

To OP, If you are in a similar situation, you could probably win your case too.

help_questions

Sep 26th, 2008, 12:07 PM

Hi,

I got a ticket for an expired license plate sticker (expired sept. 11) I got pulled over Sept 24. I also didn't have my insurance card in the vehicle and i was issued a ticket for that as well.

The total for both tickets is $175 ($110+$65)

I want to fight it in court do you have any advice for me?

Also on the tickets the officer made an error and put my vehicle as model year 2008 when in fact it is not a 2008. I was told that could invalidate the ticket is that true?

Thanks in advance.

MY ADVICE IS SCHEDULE A COURT DATE, AND FIGHT THE TICKET.
Don't plead guilty, do not pay the fight. Book the court date.

gman

Sep 26th, 2008, 12:18 PM

MY ADVICE IS SCHEDULE A COURT DATE, AND FIGHT THE TICKET.
Don't not plead guilty, do not pay the fight. Book the court date.

So, you are asking him to go to the court to fight and plead guilty??? :confused:

googoo

Sep 26th, 2008, 12:25 PM

What would be your argument?

Sorry, I forgot when my birthday was:)

Brent

help_questions

Sep 26th, 2008, 12:29 PM

So, you are asking him to go to the court to fight and plead guilty??? :confused:

good eye.....it was a typo. I have corrected my post

3weddings

Sep 26th, 2008, 01:03 PM

techwiz

Sep 26th, 2008, 01:10 PM

I told him that my plates were expired and that I wasn't allowed to drive the car until I passed the emissions test...he told me I wouldn't pass the test until I drove the car for a bit.

You could've gone to the MTO for a 10-day permit. Just FYI, in case it happens again. ;)

SimSV

Sep 26th, 2008, 01:18 PM

What was the part that was under warranty when your catylic converter wasn't? is the car still warranty or not? :confused: This story puzzles me...

Anyway, you can schedule a court date and bring the insurance slip that shows you have coverage on the day of the offence and the no insurance charge will most likely be withdrawn by the prosecutor. I have recently been to court for something else and heard the prosecutor telling this to few people.

Kranberry

Sep 26th, 2008, 01:26 PM

What did you fail on the emissions? I mean my car is no where near close to failing emission testing and my warranty expired years ago. Sounds like either VW makes crap or you got a lemon.

In terms of your argument, since you really don't have much to go on, you can try to plead your way out of the argument. Who knows what it will end up as.

Good luck

pintobean

Sep 26th, 2008, 01:33 PM

What was the part that was under warranty when your catylic converter wasn't? is the car still warranty or not? :confused: This story puzzles me...
I checked my service records...
The part that was replaced for free was the mass air flow sensor. The only reason it was replaced for free was because VW recognized that these parts were defective on my VW's model year and therefore they instituted a program wherein they'd be replaced for free even if the car's warranty had expired.

So I had to replace the catalytic converter myself because the car was no longer under warranty, but VW paid for the MAF.

pintobean

Sep 26th, 2008, 01:40 PM

What did you fail on the emissions? I mean my car is no where near close to failing emission testing and my warranty expired years ago. Sounds like either VW makes crap or you got a lemon.
I failed the "HC ppm" and the "NO ppm".
The sheet says that the limit for HC is 68 and I was over 300.
The sheet says that the limit for NO is 526 and I was over 1000.
After having my car serviced, my reading was 4 for HC and 188 for NO.

And by the way, I agree wholeheartedly that VW makes crap (at least they did when I bought my car back in 2000). There are multiple websites dedicated to crappy VWs. If you google the words "lemon" and "volkswagen" you'll see what I mean.

Sorry to hijack your thread OP.

HBP

Sep 26th, 2008, 01:42 PM

I didn't want to read the thread.

I recently got a license expired ticket. I just bought the new sticker the next day, took it to court a few days after. Went to go see the FA lady. This entire process (waiting and crap) took about 2.5 hours.

After I see her, I present her with the ticket, give her my receipt... she says OK you can leave. Less than a minute, she drops the charge.

Oh well $110/2.5hrs is more than I make.. but such a waste of time.

Edit: I decided to read the thread, pintobean, my situation was nothing like yours... I simply forgot (I was on vacation, but that's hardly an excuse). They didn't even ask me to explain it, just presented my receipt and that was it. This was in Toronto, on Edward street. I'd imagine it might be a bit different if I went to the York Region courts (less busy--more time to **** with you).

Whitedart

Sep 26th, 2008, 05:40 PM

You could've gone to the MTO for a 10-day permit. Just FYI, in case it happens again. ;)

Yes, that would have covered the situation is several messages here, where a failed etest caused a delay getting a new val tag.

But it isn't a situation of short notice, as MTO sends out renewal notices 6-8 weeks before the expiration date. Leaving renewal till the last minute is the problem.

FazerRider

Sep 26th, 2008, 06:03 PM

fight it? fight what? one more **** that's gonna clog up the court system, and waste a judge's time.

iluvmikeharris

Sep 26th, 2008, 06:18 PM

So you were aware of the fact that you were driving without the sticker AND didn't have your insurance in your vehicle and you want to get a free pass??

I can understand a day or so....but almost TWO weeks!!???

Pay the fine and
http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a112/3weddings/Blinkies/buttercup-Theresa.gif

Book your day in court and hope for the best (i.e. cop no-show, other tech glitch, etc.). Retail is for suckers, as is sucking up a traffic ticket without a fight.
:cheesygri

iluvmikeharris

Sep 26th, 2008, 06:19 PM

fight it? fight what? one more **** that's gonna clog up the court system, and waste a judge's time.

Yes, and yes (ROFLMAO at how this apparently grinds your gears!)

gman

Sep 27th, 2008, 01:07 AM

But it isn't a situation of short notice, as MTO sends out renewal notices 6-8 weeks before the expiration date. Leaving renewal till the last minute is the problem.

Bingo!

jltapawan

Sep 29th, 2008, 10:52 PM

I received a ticket for expired plates in September 2007.

I had tried to renew the sticker on time, but the ServiceOntario machine said that I needed to pass an emissions test first.

So I went to do the emissions test, but I failed. Apparently something was wrong with my catalytic converter. I had the catalytic converter replaced, and then tried the emissions test a second time. Unfortunately, I failed again.

My auto shop then did some more diagnostics, and found something else that was wrong (I can't remember what). A part needed to be replaced, but since it was still covered under my warranty from VW, my auto shop told me to take it back to a VW dealer and have it replaced there for free. So I took my car to VW and asked them to replace the part. They agreed to replace the part, but it took them 4 days to get the part delivered. In the meantime, my plates expired.

After the part was replaced at VW, I (illegally) drove my car 5 minutes back to my auto mechanic and had a third emission test done. Shockingly, I failed again. The mechanic said that there was nothing else wrong with the car, and he suggested that I needed to drive the car for a few days to "work in" the new parts and burn off the "oils and lubricants" that were probably making me fail the emissions tests.

I told him that my plates were expired and that I wasn't allowed to drive the car until I passed the emissions test...he told me I wouldn't pass the test until I drove the car for a bit.

So I was stuck in a catch 22.

I took the car home and decided to take it out for a drive the next day before taking it back for a fourth emissions test. While I was driving around, I got stopped by a cop. I explained this story to him, but he didn't care and issued me a ticket. Since I had already spent $400+ trying to pass the test, I decided to fight the ticket.

When I went to court for my First Attendance appointment, I took all my receipts with me. I presented my story to the prosecutor and he asked to see the receipts so he could see how much I had spent on fixing up my car. I showed him the receipts, and he agreed to withdraw the ticket.

So to gman, it is indeed possible to win such a ticket by saying that you were in the process of having the emissions test done (but obviously you have to be able to prove it).

To OP, If you are in a similar situation, you could probably win your case too.

Wow,

my situation is indeed quite similar to yours. I did attempt to get an emission test done a few days prior to the expiry of my plates, and failed. I then attempted to do a few repairs. tested and it failed again, by this time my plate sticker had expired and obviously I was unable to buy a sticker without the emissions pass, then I was told to buy a Catalytic converter (for a painful $250). Installed that and then got pulled over. The following day I took an emissions test and passed. :(

unfortunately I do all my repairs so I don't have any receipts from any dealers, but I think I still have receipts for my parts. Will they still accept them as proof that I was repairing my vehicle to pass emissions?

Also with regards to my insurance. I did not have the insurance card that goes in the car, in the vehicle with me, however I did have my insurance documents (this thick booklet, with the correct page already opened for the officer to look at) from my insurance company which stated EVERYTHING the officer needed. Policy no. policy holder. everybody on the policy, their date of birth, even license no.'s date of start and exp of insurance (btw exp. jan 2009) I explained that to the officer and she told me that it was no good to her. >:(

actually as a matter of fact, she came back to my vehicle after writing up my tickets and she noted how "oh i see you have all your insurance info there..." referring to the insurance booklet i had opened beside me. But still insisted on giving me the ticket for not having my insurance card.

googoo

Sep 30th, 2008, 12:16 AM

But still insisted on giving me the ticket for not having my insurance card.

because you didn't!

bythehour

Sep 30th, 2008, 08:31 AM

Anyway, you can schedule a court date and bring the insurance slip that shows you have coverage on the day of the offence and the no insurance charge will most likely be withdrawn by the prosecutor. I have recently been to court for something else and heard the prosecutor telling this to few people.

This, and the OP's success, is all contingent on the prosecutor or JP being willing to accept extenuating circumstances. Drivers are required to show proof of insurance upon demand and to maintain proper registration of their vehicles. (Hey, notices of renewal appear 30 to 60 days before expiration; it's not like a last minute thing.)

So, I wouldn't be bet on being to beat the registration or insurance rap anytime/everytime....

hagbard

Sep 30th, 2008, 10:29 AM

new_vr

Sep 30th, 2008, 10:37 AM

The emissions test thing is a bit of a joke. My wife's diesel smart car was hooked up to the testing equipment, everything came up N/A, and she passed. Same with all diesel cars...they just collect the money.

Last time I did mine, they didn't even turn on the car...
Closer to on topic..sometime check the number of trucks with expired plates...it's easier for them to get away with it, since they sticker is on the front...

Whitedart

Sep 30th, 2008, 08:43 PM

Closer to on topic..sometime check the number of trucks with expired plates...it's easier for them to get away with it, since they sticker is on the front...

Not when trucks must often pull into highway weigh scales or are pulled over in a truck safety blitz. An improperly plated truck gets towned away.

at1212b

Oct 1st, 2008, 12:11 AM

For those who couldn't pass emissions, that is a poor excuse.

That's just called being lazy. Everybody gets that notice in the mail well in advance reminding of the test. Plus, it is common knowledge for it to be tested every 2 years.

Just remember for next time and try to avoid.

belowzeros

Oct 1st, 2008, 12:42 AM

ugh I got one of these the day after it expired. The officer pulled up behind me in traffic by chance and blammo he noticed lol. sucked to be me.

forzamilan27

Apr 4th, 2009, 06:01 PM

googoo

Apr 4th, 2009, 06:44 PM

NOPE, and because of your bad driving you SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING

forzamilan27

Apr 5th, 2009, 11:38 PM

look30

Apr 5th, 2009, 11:45 PM

Frigging cops turn a blind eye to the discoloured plates but they have hawkeyes to see that tiny sticker.

Fight the ticket...

Whitedart

Apr 6th, 2009, 12:20 AM

HBP

Apr 6th, 2009, 12:32 AM

coriolis

Apr 6th, 2009, 12:45 AM

One measly incident and you'll probably never get to drive again.

Considering the amount of crappy drivers there are, even if its not your fault, you'll still get the bad end of the stick. Take public transit now, work to pay for insurance, or wait til you have enough. Beats taking public transit for the rest of your life.

Or actually, continue to drive without insurance. Then get caught. One less idiot on the road :cheesygri

sidshock

Apr 6th, 2009, 03:22 AM

Wow,

my situation is indeed quite similar to yours. I did attempt to get an emission test done a few days prior to the expiry of my plates, and failed. I then attempted to do a few repairs. tested and it failed again, by this time my plate sticker had expired and obviously I was unable to buy a sticker without the emissions pass, then I was told to buy a Catalytic converter (for a painful $250). Installed that and then got pulled over. The following day I took an emissions test and passed. :(

unfortunately I do all my repairs so I don't have any receipts from any dealers, but I think I still have receipts for my parts. Will they still accept them as proof that I was repairing my vehicle to pass emissions?

Also with regards to my insurance. I did not have the insurance card that goes in the car, in the vehicle with me, however I did have my insurance documents (this thick booklet, with the correct page already opened for the officer to look at) from my insurance company which stated EVERYTHING the officer needed. Policy no. policy holder. everybody on the policy, their date of birth, even license no.'s date of start and exp of insurance (btw exp. jan 2009) I explained that to the officer and she told me that it was no good to her. >:(

actually as a matter of fact, she came back to my vehicle after writing up my tickets and she noted how "oh i see you have all your insurance info there..." referring to the insurance booklet i had opened beside me. But still insisted on giving me the ticket for not having my insurance card.

because you didn't!

But he DID have proof of insurance to show her with REAL insurance documents.
It doesn't have to be some little card. The card is made that way for convenience and size, so you do not need to carry the papers with every little detail. However, that should have sufficed...
Seriously, she sounds like a prick cop to give you an insurance ticket when you had proof. You BETTER take this to court! At least one charge will be dropped!

sidshock

Apr 6th, 2009, 03:27 AM

This has nothing to do with bad driving.I never had an accident or a ticket.My insurance quotes are high because I've had a policy cancelled and I'am young ,21 years old...So if anyone has any advice for me please let me know.I will take my chances...I heard i can use my old policy to renew my sticker ,is this true ?

It doesn't matter if you are the worlds greatest driver, sh*t happens.
It's the other drivers that are bad out there that I worry about. You can be parked and get T-boned, and it's your fault b/c you have no insurance.
Guess what, then you are looking at around a 5K fine!!! and some other charges, and THEN even higher insurance.
Best bet, wait 3 yrs since the cancelled policy was reported, it then falls off, and then drive. OR: have a family member register the car and insure it for you, etc... be smart about this, get creative, there's always a way... but driving without insurance is just stupid and will cost you SO much more in the long run.

forzamilan27

Apr 6th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Thank you sishock...I will just get someone to insure for me ? .....

ispiratica

Apr 6th, 2009, 04:38 PM

It doesn't matter if you are the worlds greatest driver, sh*t happens.
It's the other drivers that are bad out there that I worry about. You can be parked and get T-boned, and it's your fault b/c you have no insurance.
Guess what, then you are looking at around a 5K fine!!! and some other charges, and THEN even higher insurance.
Best bet, wait 3 yrs since the cancelled policy was reported, it then falls off, and then drive. OR: have a family member register the car and insure it for you, etc... be smart about this, get creative, there's always a way... but driving without insurance is just stupid and will cost you SO much more in the long run.

He's right. You could have ended up with a $5000 fine instead of just $175. See cops are going to see black and white and let the courts sort out the gray. So you can't ever expect to talk a cop out of anything if you're in a halfway position of doing anything to make your vehicle legal.

You should have got a temporary licence sticker from the MTO. They allow you to drive for 5 days I think while you get your safety or emission tests done. I think you didn't put much thought into this.

Everyone knows when the plates are up for renewal and you should have done the work necessary at least a month in advance.

The cop wasn't a prick just because she followed the law. No pink slip, no proof of insurance. Theres a reason why companies give you 4 pink slips per vehicle. It fits in anything and you ought to leave it in the glove box all the time.

Why do OPs here always complain of the most obvious things they should have done in the first place with common sense rather than asking for advice when you should have asked "where and how to fix my emission problem?" months ago.

ispiratica

Apr 6th, 2009, 04:40 PM

Thank you sishock...I will just get someone to insure for me ? .....

Add yourself to a family or spouse's policy as an occasional driver. You can they pay the policy holder a smaller monthly amount rather than a large one by yourself.

forzamilan27

Apr 7th, 2009, 02:30 AM

Okay...Another question...My girlfriend doesn't have a license but can I put the car under her name and have her insure it ?

alpaak

Apr 9th, 2009, 07:16 AM

Pete_Coach

Apr 9th, 2009, 09:33 AM

Hey ,I'am new here ...I was just wondering if there is any possible way to "renew my license plate sticker without insurance"...I need some advice lol...I just can't pay 10,000 a year....I will take my chances lol...
In short, no. I cannot believe that you would do that.
This has nothing to do with bad driving.I never had an accident or a ticket.My insurance quotes are high because I've had a policy cancelled and I'am young ,21 years old...So if anyone has any advice for me please let me know.I will take my chances...I heard i can use my old policy to renew my sticker ,is this true ?

You are an adult, with all the problems that come along with it. You are supposed to be intelligent and mature enough to know right and wrong.
If you have to pay $10K, there is something you have not said. Drive without insurance and see what will happen and what your premiums will be after that.

nalababe

Apr 9th, 2009, 10:49 AM

got a ticket once for having an expired tag eight months later...embarrassing but true. the cop was nice enough to let me drive home after handing out a ticket & telling me to park my vehicle until the plate was renewed.

Interestingly, during big digout of Toronto two years ago, the cops driving around assisting told us that effective soon (so I suspect that it is in place now) a car parked on the street with an expired sticker is considered "abandoned" and can be towed away.

new_vr

Apr 9th, 2009, 11:03 AM

Hey ,I'am new here ...I was just wondering if there is any possible way to "renew my license plate sticker without insurance"...I need some advice lol...I just can't pay 10,000 a year....I will take my chances lol...

I am pretty sure you are a lot better off not renewing the plate, but having the insurance, if you get caught
Either way, you shouldn't be on the road.

Nikita

Apr 9th, 2009, 05:24 PM

Okay...Another question...My girlfriend doesn't have a license but can I put the car under her name and have her insure it ?

Ugggh dude, it's people like you that ask stupid questions like that that scare the crap out of me knowing you're on the roads...:rolleyes:

I am pretty sure you are a lot better off not renewing the plate, but having the insurance, if you get caught
Either way, you shouldn't be on the road.

+1!

ispiratica

Apr 9th, 2009, 06:50 PM

Ugggh dude, it's people like you that ask stupid questions like that that scare the crap out of me knowing you're on the roads...:rolleyes:

+1!

+1 You got to wonder how the hell did he get a licence in the first place and his girlfriend is going to be the next bad driver to follow him on the road soon!

OP, go to the damn MTO website and READ. You're sitting in front of the damn computer right now so go and read. Ask your girlfriend to read for you if you can't. Could have saved yourself alot of scorn and criticism if you just went and consulted the legal method of what do to when DRIVING.

My renewal premium just went up today and it was the select dumbass drivers of Ontario that caused rates to go up!