The ongoing fight against ghost cars in Texas

A single sheet of paper: that's all it takes to make a car and its occupants virtually untraceable to police and the public. State law requires auto dealers to print out a temporary license plate every time someone buys a vehicle. But police and some lawmakers say the system is being abused, allowing anyone to display fraudulent plates.

"If you've got a computer and printer at home, you can make a Texas paper tag," said Grand Prairie police chief Daniel Scesney.

[CapAnson]

1:45 "The driver ends up with four tickets, and has to walk away."

And now we know why this problem continues to happen.

[isaac]

Dude was driving around for 5 years with paper tags.😂 Can’t say you’re driving that long without questioning that vehicle… he knew!

[redzoom]

So it seems the problem is that there is no punishment for someone being caught with these fake plates other than impounding the vehicle.

[Scalamucci]

Without punishment laws become suggestions.

[opusydaisy]

Ghost cars may also be stolen vehicles. A neighbor had his truck stolen, it went to Mexico, came back to AZ with Mexico plates, the truck was in a parking lot we called the neighbor he arrived and confirmed it was his truck (personal stuff was in the back), he called the police, using the vin # and report# for stolen vehicle, he got his truck back.

[STV-HH]

Today I was driving behind enough vehicles that had paper plates that I began to think that this is not really happening. But it was.
In recent weeks or months my observations of an un believable number on cars without any plates whatsoever.

Last summer I was made aware of a store that someone had stolen several of their highest priced drones by simply walking in and grabbing them, and running out the a waiting car which had no plates on it so the security cameras had no useful information to use to catch the thieves. Masks because of covid were of course part of the crime.

After learning about this is when I started watching all the cars without identifying markings
They seem to be the type of car you might guess. Blacked out windows and some other distinguishing features that are conveniently able to be seen as a particular type of defense mechanism that get called out when the car might be pulled over by police.

It’s not acceptable.
The police have given me tickets ages ago because of expired tabs. But I don’t think any of the cars I have looked at being ticketed along the roads seem to be missing the plates.

That’s BS.

[dennisjones]

in our state fake, altered or swapped plates are a FELONY, you go straight to jail.

[cdpond]

The solution is pretty simple. Where I live, you either go to a DMV location, acquire the plate for the vehicle you've purchased... and then take the plate to dealership where you can pick up your vehicle and drive away. Alternately, the dealership will obtain the plate on your behalf for a fee. There's absolutely no need to have dealerships print out temporary paper plates. This is a nonsense process.

[robbiemckinnon]

I've never understood paper tags. Here in Alberta, you walk into the DMV with your proof of ownership, your drivers license and proof of insurance, and they issue you an actual metal license plate right on the spot. No waiting, no mailing, no paper tags. You just get your license plate within an hour of buying your new or used vehicle. And NOT at the car dealership. You have to go to the DMV to pick up your plate.

[svongsa]

These drivers know the tags are fake. Good to see they’re getting their exercise and staying healthy walking home! 😂😂😂

[demolitionman]

Crazy how easy this has been for years and they are just now catching on.

[theoldmanwithscars]

No license, registration or insurance? So basically, you haven't paid for the governments permission to drive the car you own on the roads your taxes have paid to build and maintain!

[johnfontana]

Here in Hawaii, people put out of state tags on their vehicles, knowing full well police won’t bother pulling them over because of the amount of paperwork involved!

[tetchuma]

As someone who has been hit by an uninsured driver, I commend these cops!!!

[darrencapaldi]

I’m glad no one who had fake plates actually knew they were fake. They were upstanding citizens for sure

[Roadtripmischief]

We bought a new truck in 2022 and after the permanent tags came in, we got a TOLLTAG bill for the paper tag (which we still have in our possession) - which was photographed on a Nissan sedan. Had to fight with the toll company over bogus charges because they said the DMV identified the tag as ours even though the picture showed a Nissan and the fake paper tag says 2014 Nissan. The DMV had verified it was for a 2032 truck. Toll company didn't care. Nightmare. So glad they are finally fixing that problem.

[gregleuze]

I have been seeing paper tags all over the place since COViD. I thought it was strange but makes sense people are using them to skip out on registration, insurance, and use stolen cars. I am sure there is a way to end this but all I can think is to get rid of the temp tags.

[PRBatman]

I think this problem has an easy fix; have the dealer issue the actual license plate. Since I bought my first new car in the 80's in Puerto Rico, the dealer put the official license plate immediately before I drove away. Today, they still do it that way. Another interesting fact is that in Puerto Rico, the license plate stays with the car forever until it goes to the junkyard to die. When you sell your used car, the registration has the license plate number which then changes to the new owner's name.

[apok]

The way it’s always worked for me. If I buy a used car from a person, not a dealership, I would simply go to the DMV with a title and pick up tags or temp tags. If I sold a vehicle, I would take the tags off first. License plates are supposed to be a matter between you and your state DMV, not the buyer or seller.

[louis_quinn]

It should be illegal. Cars should NOT leave the lot without real metal plates and insurance. Even if you buy it cash, you must have liability insurance and real plates before driving of the dealer's lot!