Legal Limits on Aesthetics
Vanity plates can add another layer of aesthetic appeal to a car, with some designs even supporting causes such as Breast Cancer Awareness through pink plates. However, the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) warns that modified license plates are illegal and may result in confiscation or even vehicle impoundment, as altered plates can pose safety concerns.
In a report by CBS 8 San Diego, SDPD Officer Anthony Carrasco said dozens of illegal license plates were confiscated within a single month. Many of the plates were created using wrap kits purchased online for around $10, with the most common being black-themed designs, a visual throwback to California’s license plates from the 1960s. By comparison, official specialty plates from the California Department of Motor Vehicles can cost up to $110 initially, plus an annual renewal fee of roughly half that amount.
Ignorance Isn’t a Defense
The report noted that price isn’t the sole reason car owners turn to modified plates, as some are simply unaware they are breaking the law. Given the potential fines and the time-consuming process of recovering an impounded vehicle, Carrasco said using an illegal plate is not worth the risk of getting caught…