BajaNomad - Crossing border without plates

Crossing border without plates

Laureljean - 8-13-2015 at 12:40 PM

We have a new truck and want to drive it down to san juanico this fall. We won't have the new plates yet. Does anyone have experience crossing the border without plates or have any advice?

MMc - 8-13-2015 at 01:03 PM

Not a issue. I have done more than once. Sentri do need to be registered but we just use the ready lane with a new auto.

David K - 8-13-2015 at 01:16 PM

AS MMc says, no problem... I also have taken brand new Tacomas south before the plates arrived. My 2005 Tacoma went to Baja the same day I got it! Just make sure you have full coverage Mexican auto insurance on it!

Note, not plates... at La Bocana Beach, west of El Rosario in August, 2005:

BajaGeoff - 8-13-2015 at 01:44 PM

I drove my unplated Tundra back and forth across the border multiple times this past June and July. Not a problem at all....

mikeintj - 8-13-2015 at 01:54 PM

I don't know what the law is in Mexico now but back in 2002 I bought a car in the States and took it to Playas de Tijuana where I was living. It had no plates. I drove it everyday from Playas to Rosarito to Tijuana back to Rosarito and home to Playas. Many Mexicans told me to be careful because cars without plates weren't legal. For one month I didn't get stopped once. Then I got stopped twice in two days. First time I had to pay a bribe and the second time I got a ticket.

Bob and Susan - 8-13-2015 at 02:33 PM

here is your answer...
if you are worried...just go to the DMV

take your papers...and for a small fee they will hand you plates
explain your situation

when the new plates arrive...throw them away

DMV's have plates in the drawer in the office

sd - 8-13-2015 at 03:03 PM

I was stopped several times when I drove my new 2104 Tacoma down without plates. I was certainly targeted because of lack of plates. Both Federal and local police. La Paz police - 4 guys with guns kept me for about 30 minutes, wanting $100 for my "infraction". I unbelted to get my temporary registration from my window, and several minutes later they said 2nd "infraction", no seat belt. They finally settled for about $30 US-jerks! They had my drivers license, and until I paid they kept it, would not return it to me. I asked to go to the police station, I asked for a ticket. It was my first bad experience in Baja.

I had a relative bring me my plates before I drove home. In my opinion and experience, go to DMV and get plates before you drive down.

Ateo - 8-13-2015 at 03:04 PM

I drove down to scorpion bay with no plates couple years ago and had absolutely no issues.

Bob53 - 8-13-2015 at 03:26 PM

What about a not so new vehicle that has no front plate, just has the rear plate?

Bob and Susan - 8-13-2015 at 03:27 PM

i'd get a plate

Bob53 - 8-13-2015 at 03:29 PM

I have the plate. It's just not attached.

AKgringo - 8-13-2015 at 04:00 PM

This has nothing to do with plates, but it is worth mentioning here that I also had problems twice on the east side of La Paz near the Walmart.

The first time was for running through a yellow light. according to the policia, yellow means stop, red just means you can't go yet. He did not stop the Mexican plated vehicle that came through on the red behind me.

Second time was for no seat belt, although he had other police riding in the back of his pick up with no protection.

I paid the first time, but the second I held on to my license and said no mordida and I will take the ticket to the station. He let me go.

[Edited on 8-13-2015 by AKgringo]

Lee - 8-13-2015 at 04:00 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob53

I have the plate. It's just not attached.

Someone is looking to tempt fate.

No plate in front is the same as no plates to a cop looking for an excuse to pull you over and scam some mordida.

Anyone claiming they drove without plates and weren't stopped got lucky. Lots of people out there who are lucky.

Why give a cop a reason to pull you over?

Bob53 - 8-13-2015 at 04:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

Quote: Originally posted by Bob53

I have the plate. It's just not attached.

I agree. It's not that I am not going to attach it, it's just that after recently purchasing this vehicle and receiving my plates, I then realized that the front plate mounting bracket is missing and I haven't located a replacement yet. I have a trip south planned next week so I guess I can Jerry-rig it somehow.

Bajahowodd - 8-13-2015 at 04:48 PM

The responses may be informational, but, as it is mid-August and you are going down in the fall, it would seem to me that you will have your plates by that time. Moot.

Alm - 8-13-2015 at 04:57 PM

I hope the OP will at least have temporary Ca registration sticker. Otherwise they will simply turn them back. As to the cops - I would get the plates. Without plates you stick like a sore thumb, traffic guys are getting paid $300-400 a month, they need to live somehow. What's the rush anyway, it must be fr-king hot and humid there now.

BigBearRider - 8-13-2015 at 04:59 PM

I lost my front plate somewhere in BCS last week...

Bob and Susan - 8-13-2015 at 06:10 PM

in California a "no front plate fix-it ticket" is around $100usa

PabloEss - 8-13-2015 at 08:24 PM

Some states like Arizona do NOT issue front plates. I have never had a problem. :bounce:

ehall - 8-13-2015 at 09:50 PM

From Az . Never had a front plate. Lucky so far in many, many trips to both Baja and the mainland.

Lee - 8-14-2015 at 06:20 AM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall

From Az . Never had a front plate. Lucky so far in many, many trips to both Baja and the mainland.

Just got an education: only 18 US states require front plates. Never though about it. And I've never read about anyone being stopped in Baja for not having a front plate. Maybe I'm overreacting.

While plates are the subject, here's something to ensure plate safety. http://www.jimmijammer.com/Product,%20Plate%20Keeper.html

Parked at a 30 minute zone years ago in Cabo and set my watch. Back in 25 minutes and a cop was standing there with a screw driver in his hand. He must have set his watch too or something.

mjs - 8-14-2015 at 08:55 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan

in California a "no front plate fix-it ticket" is around $100usa

That is incorrect. The fix-it ticket fine is $25. Calif posts all the traffic fines online (google is your friend)

Bob and Susan - 8-14-2015 at 02:40 PM

there's no $25 ticket anymore...they call it added surcharges

you better show your source

ZipLine - 8-14-2015 at 02:57 PM

Took a new car and a new motorcycle, both without plates, into Mexico with no problem. As long as you have your paperwork you are probably fine.

Lee - 8-14-2015 at 04:15 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ZipLine

Took a new car and a new motorcycle, both without plates, into Mexico with no problem. As long as you have your paperwork you are probably fine.

You probably think wearing your seat belts will prevent you from being pulled over and cited for not wearing seat belts.

elgatoloco - 8-14-2015 at 05:19 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob53

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

Quote: Originally posted by Bob53

I have the plate. It's just not attached.

I have a trip south planned next week so I guess I can Jerry-rig it somehow.

I recommend 100 MPH duct tape. :saint:

Your welcome. :dudette:

mjs - 8-14-2015 at 05:57 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan

there's no $25 ticket anymore...they call it added surcharges

you better show your source

And maybe you should check / site your's.

Google if you care to look up the specific violation. Fee schedule at http://www.riverside.courts.ca.gov/uniformbail.pdf and other county websites. Same fee schedule for all Calif courts (fees are set by the State). Fix-it tickets are $25. And that includes the non-applicable surcharges which are listed in the fee schedule.

[Edited on 8-15-2015 by mjs]

Bob and Susan - 8-15-2015 at 03:25 AM

sect 5017b = $121

you don't think they's waste their time on a $25 ticket....time to make money in California

basautter - 8-15-2015 at 06:33 AM

You don't have time before "this fall" to get new plates???

mjs - 8-15-2015 at 09:12 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Bob and Susan

sect 5017b = $121

you don't think they's waste their time on a $25 ticket....time to make money in California

You're close. First you need to look up the violation in the Vehicle Code. Division 3, Chapter 1, Article 8, Section 5017 refers to special identification plates (typically for trailers, special construction vehicles, farm implements, etc.) and gets its authority from Section 5014.

License plates are under Division 3 Chapter 1 Article 9 Section 5200 (https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/vctop/vc/d3/c1/a9). If you look up the 5200 violation in the Fee Schedule you will be in the correct section. Now look at the Notes letter next to the infraction number. You will see a Note A and a Note B listed. Note A will show a fine of $197 and Note B a fine of $25. So now you need to determine what the notes reference.

Note A states: "Violation cited on a notice to appear as not eligible for correction (emphasis added). (VC 40303.5, VC 40522, and VC 40610.) A citing officer may issue a noncorrectable notice to appear for an equipment, driver's license, or registration offense that is potentially eligible for correction if the officer determines that the violation presents an immediate safety hazard, there is evidence of fraud or persistent neglect, or the violator does not agree to, or cannot, promptly correct the violation. (See California Highway Patrol v. Superior Court (2008) 158 Cal.App.4th 726 [riding a motorcycle without wearing any helmet presents an "immediate safety hazard" when an officer makes that determination and issues a noncorrectable citation].) If a citation does not indicate that an offense is eligible for correction under VC 40522, a court may presume that the offense is cited as noncorrectable. "

Note B states: "Violation cited on a notice to appear as eligible for correction (emphasis added). (VC 40303.5, VC 40522, and VC 40610.) A potentially eligible equipment, driver's license, or registration offense may be cited as correctable on a notice to appear unless the citing officer determines that the violation presents an immediate safety hazard, there is evidence of fraud or persistent neglect, or the violator does not agree to, or cannot, promptly correct the violation. (See California Highway Patrol v. Superior Court (2008) 158 Cal.App.4th 726 [riding a motorcycle without wearing any helmet presents an "immediate safety hazard" when an officer makes that determination and issues a noncorrectable citation].)"

It is pretty hard to argue that a missing front license plate " presents an immediate safety hazard, there is evidence of fraud or persistent neglect, or the violator does not agree to, or cannot, promptly correct the violation." and most (never say all as there could be exceptions) will be issued as a correctable offense. With a $25 fine.

As a personal aside, until recently sold I never ran a front plate on my Corvette (and still don't on my hot rod) and would on occasion get a missing license plate ticket. Always from a parking cop. Always $25. Mount plate, sign verification that correction was done, mail notice and $25 to court, remove plate.

YMMV

junevjohnson - 8-19-2015 at 07:20 AM

I took a trip from Houston to Northern Baja in the last year without plates and I didn't have a problem. You should be good to go.

David K - 8-19-2015 at 09:34 AM

Yet, some of us who have been going to Baja for over 50 years have NEVER been pulled over for such a thing... In the past 10 years, I have taken a brand new Toyota Tacoma 4X4, without plates (just the sticker in the front window you get when you get a new car) multiple times.

I don't recall if I did as well with my 3 new Subaru 4X4s or my new Jeep, as it was so long ago... This seriously should not be an issue to prevent you from going to Baja. Just make sure your Mexican auto insurance covers the new vehicle, and it will state no plates but have the VIN number, and once you get your plates, add that to the policy (if it is an annual one).

Lee - 8-19-2015 at 11:14 AM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Yet, some of us who have been going to Baja for over 50 years have NEVER been pulled over for such a thing... In the past 10 years, I have taken a brand new Toyota Tacoma 4X4, without plates (just the sticker in the front window you get when you get a new car) multiple times.
.

Always a first time, David.

Here we go. ''I've been in Baja 50 years and have never paid mordida or been stopped by a cop. It CAN'T be happening.''

Think you're also assuming that YOU would have heard about someone being hassled for not having a front plate.

That may or may not be true. Your logic escapes me.

David K - 8-19-2015 at 11:21 AM

Reality is what I dwell on mostly Lee. The good people of Baja don't need more reasons for Americans to not go south... It is tough enough with the sensationalism provided by the media, and a few here on Nomad!

I have paid mordida, when I suggested it to the cops... we are talking back in the 1970's and 1980's, however. So yes, I have been stopped by the cops.

I was not speaking of front plates (AZ cars don't have them), but about the topic of this thread NEW CARS with NO PLATES.

To THAT question I have personal experience. Do you?

The paper taped in the front windshield is = to a plate when you buy a car.

Lee - 8-19-2015 at 01:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Yet, some of us who have been going to Baja for over 50 years have NEVER been pulled over for such a thing... .

David, it doesn't matter how many years I've been going to Baja. And it doesn't matter how many years anyone else has either.

A paper plate might be fine between the border and Ensenada. It'll probably get the attention of cops in La Paz. David, do you have any experience with paper plates in La Paz?

Legality and illegality is determined by luck and the mood of the cop that sees your car.

I think you know maps and missions. Not sure you know Baja reality though. Don't think you know cops either. I've read your comments on Tecate cops and think your responses are generally naive.

Just an observation and doesn't take away from liking you.

David K - 8-19-2015 at 03:17 PM

It matters if someone is asking IF it happens, I think?

Someone who first went to Baja last year vs. someone who first went in the last century would have different amount of knowledge or personal experience with this sort of thing, wouldn't they?

Let's have EVERYONE on Nomad who got pulled over in a new car BECAUSE it didn't have metal plates and EVERYONE who drove a new car and didn't get pulled over BECAUSE it didn't have metal plates compare notes.

This can only be responded to by people who drove new, unplated cars into Baja. U.S. or Canadian new cars driven in Baja California.

Let's begin... I will start, and update the poll based on replies in this thread.

1. Pulled over because no metal plates on new car: 1

2. Not pulled over when drove without metal plates on new car: 3

[Edited on 8-19-2015 by David K]

Lee - 8-19-2015 at 08:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by David K

Reality is what I dwell on mostly Lee. The good people of Baja don't need more reasons for Americans to not go south... It is tough enough with the sensationalism provided by the media, and a few here on Nomad!.

Help me out David. What part of your reality thinks tourists are staying away from Baja because of the media -- and ''a few here on Nomad''?

Nomads contributing to sensationalism in Baja? Whatever you're smoking I want some.

David K - 8-19-2015 at 09:29 PM

I hear it's legal in Colorado, Lee! Enjoy your evening.

vacaenbaja - 8-21-2015 at 07:27 PM

I would strongly suggest getting plates if at all possible. Back in

1981 I took a brand new Nissan truck without plates to La Paz.

Had a great time and was about to leave to go to pick up some

shrimp a t a friends house in Los Bariles, before the long drive to

the USA. As I headed out of town I was being tailed

by a Federal de los Caminos who pulled me over as soon as I

cleared the city limits. He Impounded my car for "Falta de Placas"

They did not care what was acceptable in the USA, I was in

Mexico and in violation of their "letter of the law" It took a lot of

fast work ,apologies, and help from the La Paz Tourism

department to get my truck back. The tourism people were

crestfallen when they found out it was the Federales. If it were

Transito, Municpal or the city cops it would have been no problem.

Well within their sphere of influence. But they said I was at the

mercy of the Jefe of the Federales de Caminos BCS.

Not fun and I speak the language. I was told that they have been

in the habit of unjustly taking cars and that they were going to kill

what little tourism they had with all the bad press.

So like speeding everyone does it without getting caught, but

when YOU are caught it is a whole different story.

Don't give them an opportunity.

Lee - 8-21-2015 at 09:23 PM

Quote: Originally posted by vacaenbaja

I would strongly suggest getting plates if at all possible. Back in

1981 I took a brand new Nissan truck without plates to La Paz.

Had a great time and was about to leave to go to pick up some

shrimp a t a friends house in Los Bariles, before the long drive to

the USA. As I headed out of town I was being tailed

by a Federal de los Caminos who pulled me over as soon as I

cleared the city limits. He Impounded my car for "Falta de Placas"

They did not care what was acceptable in the USA, I was in

Mexico and in violation of their "letter of the law" It took a lot of

fast work ,apologies, and help from the La Paz Tourism

department to get my truck back. The tourism people were

crestfallen when they found out it was the Federales. If it were

Transito, Municpal or the city cops it would have been no problem.

Well within their sphere of influence. But they said I was at the

mercy of the Jefe of the Federales de Caminos BCS.

Not fun and I speak the language. I was told that they have been

in the habit of unjustly taking cars and that they were going to kill

what little tourism they had with all the bad press.

So like speeding everyone does it without getting caught, but

when YOU are caught it is a whole different story.

Don't give them an opportunity.

Just a reminder: US laws are meaningless down here. You are guilty until you prove your innocence. (That'll probably take mucho pesos.) Cops profile US plated cars and tourists.

Just the way it is. Doesn't mean anything to me.

Game on.

mtgoat666 - 8-21-2015 at 09:34 PM

I drove a new car to Baja sur this year with temp tag (no plates). Never got stopped by cops. Military check points never said anything about the plates.