A California driver is overwhelmed by a flood of tickets for violations she never committed. The source of the problem? Custom license plates sold online that are nearly identical to her actual license plate.
A Driver’s Administrative Nightmare
This unusual case highlights the potential abuses related to the sale of personalized plates. The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, began receiving fines for speeding, running red lights, and illegal parking in cities she had never visited.
The Scourge of Online Novelty Plates
Authorities quickly identified the source of the problem: near-perfect replicas of her official plate, ordered by third parties online. These fake, so-called “novelty” plates allow their buyers to commit offenses with impunity, while the legitimate owner of the copied registration bears the financial and administrative consequences.
A Complex Appeals Process
The procedure to clear her name and have each unjustified ticket dismissed proves to be lengthy and tedious. The driver must provide proof of her innocence for each alleged violation, a process that can take months and generate considerable stress.