Fresno, CA asked in Traffic Tickets for California

Q: If received a ticket for your exp. reg. & tags can the cops still tow your vehicle if it's before your ticket court date

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1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: If you received a ticket for expired registration and tags in California, law enforcement officers can still tow your vehicle, even before your court date. The ticket does not provide immunity from towing, and the vehicle is considered not legally registered if the tags are expired. If an officer encounters your vehicle with expired registration, they are within their rights to tow it.

The court date is meant to address the ticket and potentially reduce fines or dismiss the charge if you resolve the registration issue. However, until you address the expired registration, your vehicle remains at risk. You should take immediate steps to renew your registration to avoid further issues.

To prevent towing, it's a good idea to visit the DMV as soon as possible to renew your tags and ensure you have proof of the new registration in your vehicle. If you’ve already taken care of it, keep the paperwork handy to show law enforcement if stopped again. Being proactive can save you from additional costs and hassles.

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