Pulled over quite often...

[kasusbelli]

About a couple years ago before I lost my job I was driving a Z06 corvette, and was 25 years old. I was pulled over on average once every 3 weeks, initially I had blacked-out tail lights which I changed quickly. However after that I was constantly pulled over for not having a front license plate because I didn't have any mounting points to install one and quite frankly didn't want to ruin the look. Now after I was pulled over that was always the reason why, but it seemed to always be just a reason to pull me over because it was followed up with: is this your car? And not just once it would happened more often than you'd think.

Now I know by not having the front plate, I was giving any officer an excuse to pull me over and that's my fault and I'm okay with that, I've since sold the car anyway. But my question is, when you see a younger guy/gal driving a pricey/fast/flashy/whatever car do you assume it isn't theirs or just cautiously question it? I'm dead-serious, now some officers were really cool after I explained what I did for a living, yeah some asked how I could afford the car haha, and we would get into a gearhead conversation which was pretty cool and they'd let me off with a warning almost EVERY TIME. Of course after my information was run.

So what's the deal with assuming it isn't my vehicle? I know you can't speak for other officers, it just bothered me, not being pulled over that was my fault not having the front plate.

[Ron-Solo]

It's called fishing. Sometimes you catch the big one, sometimes you don't.

Sometimes people with flashy cars are doing other illegal stuff.

I loved fishing.

[IrishJoe3]

Just because they ask if its your car doesn't mean they assumed it isn't. Thats a pretty standard question for me, and I ask it all the time along with "is this a current address on your license?" and such.

I've seen just about everything, so don't assume anything and nothing surprises me.

[kasusbelli]

Hahaha, gotcha and not having a front plate was the same as taking the bait. Fortunately I wasn't big enough to throw on the grill so they'd toss me back. I guess I'm never really concerned with being pulled over, I never carry anything in the car I shouldn't and never drink and drive even after a single beer. That reminds me, I was asked a few times if I'd been drinking and always said no, not one and have never taken a field sobriety test. I've even had other trashed people in the car and the officer always believed me, which is cool because I was being honest.

[kasusbelli]

Just because they ask if its your car doesn't mean they assumed it isn't. Thats a pretty standard question for me, and I ask it all the time along with "is this a current address on your license?" and such.

I've seen just about everything, so don't assume anything and nothing surprises me.

Hmmm okay, that makes sense, so just cautiously questioning the situation, that's understandable. I was always amused when they asked how I could afford it and what I did for a living.

And I didn't own the car for any flashy reasons, I race amateur rally on my free time and do some road racing and wanted a fast DD I could drive to work on Monday and thrash at the track on Saturday.

[kel-tec-innovations]

I guess it really depends how you present yourself. If I looked like a bum driving an exotic car they might question. Always well dressed and spoke with manners. The question is does the car match your profile. Only time I got questioned was driving my G/F car with pink stars and pink/black interior. First words from the cop with puzzled look asked if this was my car. We laughed and joked about me driving around in a pink car with stars

[kasusbelli]

I guess it really depends how you present yourself. If I looked like a bum driving an exotic car they might question. Always well dressed and spoke with manners. The question is does the car match your profile. Only time I got questioned was driving my G/F car with pink stars and pink/black interior. First words from the cop with puzzled look asked if this was my car. We laughed and joked about me driving around in a pink car with stars

When going to or coming from work, I've been in a dress shirt, slacks and dress shoes, and yeah those times I didn't hear it as often. Yet on my days off, when I'm in a t-shirt, board shorts and sandals I definitely got it more. But I can't dress comfortable on weekends? Lol, I can't always be in work gear.

I guess it just comes with the territory.

[ckim34]

I guess they always had the no-front plate excuse because I didn't want to put one on, but it obviously wasn't of any real concern because I always got off with a warning.

Not an excuse, its called PC to stop.

[Broso]

Standard question...doesn't matter if your in a Pinto or Vette and really how many 25yr old kid's do you see in a Z06. No plate just gave them probable cause to stop you not Digiorno.

[kasusbelli]

Yes, again, I'm okay with that and I know I was giving them Digiorno, that doesn't bother me.

So it's a standard question, that makes me feel a little better. Is it standard to ask what I do for a living, I could choose not to answer that I suppose since I feel it is somewhat private, although I've got a completely legitimate job and usually just tell them?

[9mmepiphany]

The pretty standard questions are:

1. Is this your car...to see if the reg and CDL will match
2. Is this your current address...to correctly complete the ticket
3. Where you coming from...to see if you are just cruising the neighborhood

It's also a test to see if they want to write you a ticket for the lack of a front plate. I had a co-worker who always stopped vettes without front plates. If they got attitude, they'd just write a fix-it ticket...because the cost to fix it is $70 for the bracket (this was a while back)

You want to hear a strange sounding question?

I remember a training class where the instructor advised officers to ask, "Are those pants you're wearing yours?" before a patdown search for drugs. There is a subculture where it is common to wear the first pants you grab when you wake up

[kasusbelli]

Well then there you go, that's why I never received a ticket, I never gave them attitude. Yet, you say it's standard; however, I haven't heard that question when driving previous vehicles and they were not as costly, or had the same reputation.

[Falconis]

I'd ask that question every time in a case like that. Ron is right, it's fishing. I am also in an area where there seems to be 100,000 25yr old millionaires too. It may not be all that impressive to see around here, but occasionally you get the deer in the headlights look

[Mr310]

It's called fishing. Sometimes you catch the big one, sometimes you don't.

That's why they don't call it catching.

Words to live by.

[Lives_In_Fresno]

It's called fishing. Sometimes you catch the big one, sometimes you don't.

Sometimes people with flashy cars are doing other illegal stuff.

I loved fishing.

Fishing is much easier than finding a guy with a front plate missing...I know of at least two LEO's who successfully fish just by running random plates. (Expired reg, etc). They find people with warrants much of the time, and often don't bother those with "just" a reg violation.