
Quoting
djb0501
So my concern is that instead of a simple fix-it-and-be-done-with-it scenario, I was cited for operating a vehicle with illegal lighting equipment and will be assessed a moving violation.
Can anyone shed light on this?
The total fine and fees should come to about $108 and it is worth 0 points against your license ... according to the 2008 CA Bail and Fee Schedule.
Also, I was recently issued a fix-it ticket by LAPD for having no front plate. My car has a Euro-style body kit and doesn't have a bracket for a front plate, and I'm not too keen on drilling into the body to add a bracket. My questions are 1. If I affix a bracket with double sided tape or some other similar mechanism, will I pass inspection and 2. If I am given a second fix-it ticket for the same violation, do the penalties increase, and if so, how?
The sections that cover license plates are primarily addressed in CVC 5200 and 5201. CVC 5201 says, in part:
5201. 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, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible,
and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible.
If your double sided tape or other adhesive is sufficient to prevent it from falling off in wind, rain, traffic, speed, etc., then it should be sufficient. Most tapes I know suffer in weather.
Check with a dealer that specializes in your vehicle - they likely have a fix for you.
As for subsequent violations, yes, the penalties CAN increase. For instance, a failure to correct a violation could result in a misdemeanor citation rather than an infraction. There are other options for the creative officer, but unless you are unfortunate enough to catch the attention of the same officer or live and work in a jurisdiction small enough that they will all know you, it is doubtful that you will suffer an enhanced citation. But, the court might get tired of seeing you after a while.
- Carl