Driving car without TX tags

beun · Jul 8, 2014

I also posted this on the other forum, here it goes:

So I got stopped today by one of Richardson's finest. I hadn't gone to the tax office yet so I was still driving around with the "Zero Emissions" tag and the little sticker in the rear window. The car had insurance and the inspection done. The officer was less than impressed with the rear window sticker and maintained that without TX registration I couldn't drive the car, my claim that I did everything that Tesla told me to do also didn't convince him, in his own words "who knows TX law better, me or Tesla".

I got away with a warning and a remark from him that it was stupid that I could legally buy a car in California but not in Texas, at least he gets it, now we just have to convince Austin. He also asked about driving range and other stuff like that and I happily answered all his questions.

I called Tesla to get clarification on this issue and was promised a call back from the Dallas delivery specialist. That hasn't happened yet, I will keep you informed.

purplewalt · Jul 8, 2014

I had a similar incident with an over-eager DPS trooper on the Tollway on a Sunday morning last June.

I had picked my MS up on a Tuesday night, had the posted paper taped in the rear window.
I had already gotten the car inspected (whew), I had received the final paperwork from Fremont via FedEx on Saturday morning.
Tax office was closed on Saturday, so nothing I could do (actually tax office was closed).

And I also was issued a warning (whew, again).

dsm363 · Jul 8, 2014

Amazing this still hasn't been sorted out. So basically they expect you to leave the car at the service center and take public transportation to the tax office to get the plates and stickers then public transportation to the Tesla service center to pick up your car I guess.

Congrats on your new car though! I made it to the tax office and was able to get plates and everything without any issue but other's have a similar story.

NoMoGas · Jul 8, 2014

dsm363 said:
Amazing this still hasn't been sorted out. So basically they expect you to leave the car at the service center and take public transportation to the tax office to get the plates and stickers then public transportation to the Tesla service center to pick up your car I guess.
.

This is all sorted out just fine.

There is a thing called reciprocity which is the law of the land in all 50 states. Valid paperwork issued in one state is by definition valid in all 50 states. What you have are police officers who were ignorant of the law, admittedly because it is an unusual situation for them to deal with. That does not change the fact that the law exists. This is why there is never been a citation for no registration held by any traffic court from a vehicle that has the temporary paperwork issued by the California DMV.

any officer who issues a "warning" is just trying to save face.

dsm363 · Jul 9, 2014

Thanks, good to know. I believe people have been issued a ticket for this in Texas though which means money to fight it and/or a day off of work. Hopefully law enforcement there starts to learn the paperwork is valid.

wart · Jul 9, 2014

dsm363 said:
Hopefully law enforcement there starts to learn the paperwork is valid.

Hopefully the dealer protection laws get thrown out so that Tesla can start delivering cars with normal Texas paper plates.

Cottonwood · Jul 9, 2014

NoMoGas said:
This is all sorted out just fine.

There is a thing called reciprocity which is the law of the land in all 50 states. Valid paperwork issued in one state is by definition valid in all 50 states. What you have are police officers who were ignorant of the law, admittedly because it is an unusual situation for them to deal with. That does not change the fact that the law exists. This is why there is never been a citation for no registration held by any traffic court from a vehicle that has the temporary paperwork issued by the California DMV.

any officer who issues a "warning" is just trying to save face.

Then Tesla should put these facts with references on a single piece of paper that is on the top of the packet you take with you to get your plates. Tesla should also tell the customer that, although unlikely, if you get pulled over, show the officer this fact sheet.

Chickenlittle · Jul 9, 2014

beun said:
I also posted this on the other forum, here it goes:

So I got stopped today by one of Richardson's finest. I hadn't gone to the tax office yet so I was still driving around with the "Zero Emissions" tag and the little sticker in the rear window. The car had insurance and the inspection done. The officer was less than impressed with the rear window sticker and maintained that without TX registration I couldn't drive the car, my claim that I did everything that Tesla told me to do also didn't convince him, in his own words "who knows TX law better, me or Tesla".

I got away with a warning and a remark from him that it was stupid that I could legally buy a car in California but not in Texas, at least he gets it, now we just have to convince Austin. He also asked about driving range and other stuff like that and I happily answered all his questions.

I called Tesla to get clarification on this issue and was promised a call back from the Dallas delivery specialist. That hasn't happened yet, I will keep you informed.

Reminds me of when I was stopped in Missouri 30 yrs ago with Florida license plate in rear only (they only issue single plates there). Officer went over car after my explanation looking for something to ticket. Didn't find anything and said he "would let me off this time". Being a smart ass I asked is that because I didn't do anything wrong. Wouldn't have the courage to do that anymore

Chris TX · Jul 9, 2014

Temporary CA registration is just fine. It sounds like you have an uninformed officer that just wants to see your car. Also, if you haven't done this already, get your inspection done. It's only ~$18 for safety only. If the shop insists charging your more than the safety fee, go somewhere else.

jerry33 · Jul 10, 2014

FWIW, I had no problem during the three weeks I drove the car with the CA paper strip. And that was a year ago March when there were far fewer Model S out there.

beun · Jul 10, 2014

I guess it is just a crap-shoot if you will be stopped or not. Both Richardson and Garland in my experience are "difficult".

As a follow-up, I have been contacted by the Dallas delivery specialist and he mentioned that he would take it up with Tesla legal to see if they could produce some document to explain the temporary tag situation. I guess that Cottonwoods suggestion may actually happen.

purplewalt · Jul 10, 2014

jerry33 said:
FWIW, I had no problem during the three weeks I drove the car with the CA paper strip. And that was a year ago March when there were far fewer Model S out there.

That's because you never venture onto the North Texas Tollway.
If you would have, then there would come Barney Fife with bubble gum lights ablaze.
(I have met a Plano police officer who owns/drives a MS, so maybe Plano is a bit more worldly).

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Driving car without TX tags

beun

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purplewalt

Active Member

dsm363

Roadster + Sig Model S

NoMoGas

Active Member

dsm363

Roadster + Sig Model S

wart

Less Cowbell

Cottonwood

Roadster#433, Model S#S37

Chickenlittle

Banned

Chris TX

Active Member

jerry33

(S85-3/2/13 traded in) X LR: F2611##-3/27/20

beun

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purplewalt

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