BajaNomad - April 1, US to check for current plates and registration

April 1, US to check for current plates and registration

arrowhead - 3-30-2010 at 08:46 AM

This article says that commencing this April 1, the US will be checking for current plates and registration on cars entering the US at the border.

Quote:

EUA exigirá placas vigentes al cruzar la garita.

Escrito por Fernanda López Treviño, Síntesis TV/Noticias.
Lunes, 29 de Marzo de 2010 05:20

A partir de este uno de abril los residentes de esta frontera al cruzar a Estados Unidos, deberán contar con los documentos del vehículo en regla… Las autoridades del vecino país tendrán la facultar de exigir a los conductores fronterizos los papeles que acrediten que la unidad que ingresa a territorio norteamericano es legal…

Esta disposición no compete a las autoridades en Baja California, la decisión es únicamente de los Estados Unidos… Este gobierno tiene la facultad de aplicar multas en su territorio a aquellos mexicanos que no cumplieron a tiempo con el canje de placas 2010, ya que para las autoridades del vecino país, estos conductores incurren en un delito…

http://sintesistv.info/v2/index.php?option=com_content&v...

DENNIS - 3-30-2010 at 08:51 AM

Compliments of Google:

Require U.S. force plates crossing the checkpoint.

Written by Fernanda Lopez Trevino, TV Summaries & News.
Monday, March 29th, 2010 05:20

From this one April the residents of this border crossing to the United States must have the vehicle documents in order ... The authorities of neighboring countries may require drivers to border the papers certifying that the unit entering U.S. territory is legal ...

This provision is not regulated by the authorities in Baja California, the decision rests upon the United States ... This government has the power to impose fines on its territory to those Mexicans who did not comply in time with the exchange of plates 2010, since for authorities in the neighboring country, these drivers are committing a crime ...

No Problema

MrBillM - 3-30-2010 at 09:45 AM

Right ?

If your vehicle is not legally registered, any Insurance would be void, wouldn't it ?

Woooosh - 3-30-2010 at 09:58 AM

This is a big deal you wouldn't notice from crossing the border in the SENTRI lanes. A large percentage of cars have outdated stickers on their plates, so I doubt the car insurance they have is void- it is absent. I'm glad to see this- it makes driving across the border and around south San Diego county safer.

Even my own Mexican family crosses with expired plates- so it's time to either get it legal or park it and walk across. The next step would be for Mexico to notice illegally tagged US vehicles.

durrelllrobert - 3-30-2010 at 10:13 AM

:!:

and add at least another 15 min to crossing time :?:

DENNIS - 3-30-2010 at 10:22 AM

Does the US have a data base that includes Mexico plated cars or is this new regulation only for US plated cars?

arrowhead - 3-30-2010 at 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Does the US have a data base that includes Mexico plated cars or is this new regulation only for US plated cars?

The article implies they are checking ALL cars. They will ask for a current registration and check the tags on the plates.

Dave - 3-30-2010 at 11:09 AM

It's my understanding they've been doing this for some time. On several occasions over the past several years I've been asked for current registration and U.S. insurance verification for my Mexican plated car.

I don't believe that there's a shared database but the inspectors can tell the difference between a legitimate and forged registration certificate.

DENNIS - 3-30-2010 at 12:03 PM

Where does it end? Getting into the states will soon be like getting onto an airplane.

Bajahowodd - 3-30-2010 at 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by arrowhead

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Does the US have a data base that includes Mexico plated cars or is this new regulation only for US plated cars?

The article implies they are checking ALL cars. They will ask for a current registration and check the tags on the plates.

Sorry, but I don't agree. First of all, vehicle registrations are issued by individual states. if I'm driving in California and law enforcement stops me and finds my tags are expired, I get a ticket and go on my way. The Feds at the border- what are they going to do to me? Make me turn around? They can't fine me for violating a state law. I seriously believe that any outlined program would be directed specifically at Mexican plated vehicles, which they can make turn around.

DENNIS - 3-30-2010 at 12:09 PM

Emission control will be next. Mexican drivers won't like that.

Silly boy

Dave - 3-30-2010 at 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
The Feds at the border- what are they going to do to me? Make me turn around? They can't fine me for violating a state law.

They can hold you in secondary and call the highway patrol. And while you're waiting they can tear the car apart.

They can do whatever they want.

Let's Be Practical

Bajahowodd - 3-30-2010 at 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
The Feds at the border- what are they going to do to me? Make me turn around? They can't fine me for violating a state law.

They can hold you in secondary and call the highway patrol. And while you're waiting they can tear the car apart.

They can do whatever they want.

Maybe a bit of hyperbole there. And sure, they could theoretically send me to secondary and call the CHP. But keep in mind, the only thing the CHP would do is ticket me. And the customs people have bigger fish to fry. That's why I am of the mind that the program is designed for Mexican plated vehicles only.

Dave's Right.

MrBillM - 3-30-2010 at 01:18 PM

They can DO whatever they decide and make your life miserable.

As far as enforcing a STATE's laws, they did that years ago when they enforced California's prohibition against residents bringing in ANY liquor at all.

k-rico - 3-30-2010 at 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
Where does it end? Getting into the states will soon be like getting onto an airplane.

They're effectively closing the border step-by-step, like many want. Just make it a giant hassle and folks won't cross.

My windshield had a 6" horizontal crack at the bottom from a small stone that hit it while following a dump truck. The SENTRI guy sent me to secondary where they scraped off the sticker after waiting about 1/2 hour. I had to get a new windshield and go to Otay for another sticker.

I wonder how many years it will be before everybody needs to qualify for and get a SENTRI pass.

[Edited on 3-30-2010 by k-rico]

k-rico - 3-30-2010 at 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
They can DO whatever they decide and make your life miserable.

As far as enforcing a STATE's laws, they did that years ago when they enforced California's prohibition against residents bringing in ANY liquor at all.

Reminds me of the time when I crossed on foot after buying some anti-hypertension medicine. It was the first time I did it so I declared the meds like a good boy - I was sent to talk to the customs guy. I told him I had read the rules on the US Gov website and he said:

"I don't care what the website says, I make the rules here!"

No kidding - he really said that.

He let me go after a lecture about how inferior Mex meds are.

k-rico - 3-30-2010 at 02:39 PM

Along the lines of car registration, a Mexican friend had his car stolen 2 days ago from a Plaza Rio parking lot. He just told me that when he filed a report with the TJ police they told him that if a San Diego cop runs the plates (BC plates) it will come up as stolen. The TJ and San Diego cops are sharing stolen car info in both directions. That's a good thing. I suppose the border guards could also have access to the database.

TBcountry - 3-30-2010 at 03:18 PM

I came through a couple of weeks ago through Sentri and was pulled into Secondary. I was told it was just a random check and they wanted to make sure registration and insurance was current. It didn't take long(10-15 minutes) and everything was fine. First time that has happened in the 3 years of having Sentri

flyfishinPam - 3-30-2010 at 03:43 PM

starting April 1st :lol:

April Fool's Day

Bajahowodd - 3-30-2010 at 04:08 PM

Given what TBcountry posted, maybe the end is near. If true, that the federal customs and immigration people are checking for the currency of US- plated vehicle registration, as well as proof of insurance, it somehow becomes clear to me why we haven't been able to find and capture Osama Bin Laden.

roadhog - 3-30-2010 at 04:15 PM

As the 'recession' continues...
So this is a warning
and good good.
The road is narrow.
how would the BP look with:
MEXICAN JALOPY KILLS SENATOR'S DAUGHTER WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES
?

Don Alley - 3-30-2010 at 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by roadhog
MEXICAN JALOPY KILLS SENATOR'S DAUGHTER WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES

No, it was a late model Toyota.

current plates more likely to be insured

akshadow - 3-31-2010 at 08:39 AM

I am not for longer lines at the border, but I am for licensed vehicles with valid registrations. Less stolen vehicles being used and more likely to have insurance.
For Sentri lanes they certainly can reject you if either plates or insurance are not in effect. These are both checked when you apply and obtain the sticker for the window.

BajaBlanca - 3-31-2010 at 10:52 AM

Woooosh - 3-31-2010 at 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by akshadow
I am not for longer lines at the border, but I am for licensed vehicles with valid registrations. Less stolen vehicles being used and more likely to have insurance.
For Sentri lanes they certainly can reject you if either plates or insurance are not in effect. These are both checked when you apply and obtain the sticker for the window.

Ill bet the wait will be shorter, not longer. Less people with bad tags will even try. And by the time you get to up the booth, your front and back license plates are already scanned and entered. All they need to see is the sticker color for the most part anyways. With current tags- I doubt they will ask for the matching registration.

DENNIS - 3-31-2010 at 12:31 PM

I doubt they'll have lasting interest in doing DMV work anyway.
What's next? They write you a ticket?

Bajahowodd - 3-31-2010 at 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I doubt they'll have lasting interest in doing DMV work anyway.
What's next? They write you a ticket?

That was sort of my point to begin with. get a ticket and go to Federal Court? It just seems to me that the world is going mad when it comes to spying, snooping and generally keeping tabs on everyone's business. The guys at the border have a difficult job, and their mission is fundamentally to keep the wrong people, the bad people out. Why be diverting resources to assist a state DMV?

mtgoat666 - 3-31-2010 at 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I doubt they'll have lasting interest in doing DMV work anyway.
What's next? They write you a ticket?

bajawood:
the border guys already run license plates as part of the entry inspection (that's what those cameras are doing just before you enter booth area). i think they should check license status and reject expired tags from entry. expired tags is a good indicator of bad people (it's almost a given that an expired tag on a car is an uninsured car or driven by an uninsured driver).

what they also should also do is catch tax cheats who register their cars out of state to avoid motor vehicle fees. if passport record shows one address and vehicle registration is different address, then send them to secondary and let IRS and local authorities sort it out.

we have a deficit, caused by necessary steps of the great Obama to save us from GWB's econ meltdown and GWB's transfer of citizen home equitty to wall st bankers, so catching tax dodgers is good for the country :lol:

Bajahowodd - 3-31-2010 at 02:16 PM

And while they're at it maybe they can check for outstanding parking tickets? Or, since there's so much time spent in line, they can do cholesterol screening.

elgatoloco - 3-31-2010 at 05:57 PM

For what it is worth. I just got back from SENTRI office today. I finally replaced a cracked windshield and needed to get the new sticker. I asked the agent why you have to replace a cracked windshield and he gave me that 'are you ffing kidding me' look and said "becuase it is violation of the law to operate your vehicle with a cracked windshield". I mentioned the fact that I had been thru SENTRI crossing several times with no problem and he said the agent(s) either did not notice crack or used his or her own discretion on matter. He said it is just a matter of when, not if, you get pulled into secondary and have sticker removed for cracked windshield.

DENNIS - 3-31-2010 at 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elgatoloco
he gave me that 'are you ffing kidding me' look and said "becuase it is violation of the law to operate your vehicle with a cracked windshield".

That's Homeland Security keeping America safe from the likes of you and your cracked windshield.
It all gives me this warm, protected feeling. :mad:

Woooosh - 3-31-2010 at 11:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd

Quote:

Originally posted by DENNIS
I doubt they'll have lasting interest in doing DMV work anyway.
What's next? They write you a ticket?

I think there are more "Import" cheats than anything else. It is so hard and expensive to get a US car imported and the Mexico plates that most people don't do it. They just take them down and drive them. Why not? That's what needs-based mordias are for, the people don't mind paying the cop, the cop needs the money and they both come out ahead financially- until they get in a an accident.

[Edited on 4-1-2010 by Woooosh]

jeans - 4-1-2010 at 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by k-rico

My windshield had a 6" horizontal crack at the bottom from a small stone that hit it while following a dump truck. The SENTRI guy sent me to secondary where they scraped off the sticker after waiting about 1/2 hour. I had to get a new windshield and go to Otay for another sticker.

They must not like you. I've had a foot-long horizontal crack in my windshield on the passenger side for two years and no one has said a thing. :lol:

Now I'm jinxed...

durrelllrobert - 4-1-2010 at 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Alley

Quote:

Originally posted by roadhog
MEXICAN JALOPY KILLS SENATOR'S DAUGHTER WITH DEFECTIVE BRAKES

No, it was a late model Toyota.

why does his daughter have defective brakes? or did you mean braces? :lol:

durrelllrobert - 4-1-2010 at 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by elgatoloco
"becuase it is violation of the law to operate your vehicle with a cracked windshield". I

God bless Momeland Security who makes the rules for Sentri and NEXUs and the "trusted travelers" who utilize those lanes. CBP makes the rules for the regular lanes :?:

jeremias - 4-5-2010 at 10:43 PM

About two weeks ago on the way down through San Ysidro, the customs or cops(i cant be sure) stopped me before i crossed and asked me about 20 questions, one which was "why" I would want to go to Mexico. I answered them all, but later thought about the fact I could really have said "Nunya business!" Weird, i guess you cant flee the country as easily these days.

Bob and Susan - 4-6-2010 at 05:53 AM

window...the real problem is not with the crack

it's the fact that the crack will weaken the windscreen.

this means it WILL shatter with little warning

not good when you're driving on a freeway at 70mph...

and while the window won't actually break
it’ll shatter

it’ll mean that you won't actually be able to see where you're driving

i hope you’re not next to me when that happens

Solution: buy a new car…support the economy :yes:

when you drive across the border the technology is in place to "flag" you plates...
weather they use it or not is up to "them" your "big brother"

it isn't thay bad
there are many more ways people collect data on you anyway

anyone have a "grocery store club card" ???? :lol: