License Plates
Having recently lost or had stolen two front license plates, I question why we have identical-sized plates on the front and back of our cars. It makes sense to me to have a flat, different-sized plate for the front so they could not be transferred to the rear of another car. This is done in Europe. However, I’m told that their rear plates are cheaply made and easily forged. We have a system that makes forging plates difficult, but easy to obtain.
How many lost or stolen plates go unreported? Thieves know it must be a lot or why bother. Chances are you won’t be cited for a missing plate, so why go to the hassle of reporting it first to the police, then the Department of Motor Vehicles, and then being charged for a new set of plates. If the front plate was not able to be used on another car, car owners could simply write for a replacement, therefore saving police and taxpayers time and money.
Enough cars are stolen, let’s revamp our license plate system so thieves can’t make them appear legitimate on the streets with stolen plates.
MARY SCHWARTZ Santa Ana
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
