# Law enforcement types: A question about vehicle registrations. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 22, 2020, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386 "2020-04-22T23:09:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2020, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/1 "2020-04-22T23:09:36Z")
In the last year, my state started requiring carrying proof of registration in a vehicle. This proof has my address on it. My vehicle has a garage door opener. If someone steals my truck, they’ll know my address and have a simple way to get into my house. I’d rather that they didn’t. Question: Would you give someone a hard time if they’ve blacked out the address portion of the form? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/2 "2020-04-22T23:14:21Z")
I’ve heard of this before and the advice is to carry your registration with you, don’t leave it in the car or truck. I don’t know what the police will say but it seems pretty suspicious if you show them a modified registration. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/3 "2020-04-23T03:54:46Z")
My state has required having the registration while you’re driving for as long as I can remember. My state also allows you to show a photocopy to the police, so my husband and I carry copies of both car registrations. I can’t imagine why someone would leave it in the vehicle rather than in their wallet. I think blacking out the address is probably going to cause some problems if you’re stopped, even if it’s only extending the time of the stop. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/4 "2020-04-23T04:10:12Z")
I think in Australia you had to carry your rego papers in the car many, many years ago. I have been booked once in a while over the last 20 or 30 years and have never been asked for them. No-one carries them here. We don’t even have labels for registration any more. It’s amazing that somewhere would add the requirement to carry them. No computers in the state? ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/5 "2020-04-23T04:33:02Z")
In California in the 50s, it was mandatory to have the registration with name and address, visible from outside the car. Buy a display sleeve that fit around the steering column. New Buick convertible parked on Hollywood Blvd, let’g go see whose it is. Hey look – Kirk Douglas. Cal DMV was open records. Lost track of a friend, post card to DMV, reply in a few days with current addy, no charge. Different world in those days, ---
**Author:** ![Snnipe\_70E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5a626/32.png) [@Snnipe\_70E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snnipe_70E)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/6 "2020-04-23T05:03:02Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > In California in the 50s, it was mandatory to have the registration with name and address, visible from outside the car. Buy a display sleeve that fit around the steering column. New Buick convertible parked on Hollywood Blvd, let’g go see whose it is. Hey look – Kirk Douglas. Cal DMV was open records. Lost track of a friend, post card to DMV, reply in a few days with current addy, no charge. Different world in those days, I kinda of remember when the state stopped requiring it. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/7 "2020-04-23T05:15:12Z")
> [@doreen](#): > > I can’t imagine why someone would leave it in the vehicle rather than in their wallet. For one thing, it’s not a wallet-size card. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 6:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/8 "2020-04-23T06:22:10Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > For one thing, it’s not a wallet-size card. Get a fit-for-purpose wallet, so. Or just keep the registration document in your pocket. It’s mandatory for me to have my driver’s licence (in Western Australia) when driving. My licence has my address on it. It would never _occur_ to me to leave my licence in the car - not because it has my address on it, though that is relevant, but because it would be such a pain to lose it, which I would, if my car were taken. I wouldn’t leave anything inconvenient-to-replace in my car. (Having said that, the requirement to carry your registration document with you when driving does seem weird. Through the wonderful magic that is the internet today, the authorities can surely instantly access all the details of your vehicle’s registration equipped with nothing more than the licence plate number, which is fixed to the outside of the vehicle in a promiment position.) ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/9 "2020-04-23T11:07:56Z")
There was a scandal in Michigan a few years ago. When you get your papers you were required to sign it and show it in a traffic stop. People were being fined $200 for failue to sign it ii the correct space on the back. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/10 "2020-04-23T12:01:05Z")
> [@Nars\_Glinley](#): > > In the last year, my state started requiring carrying proof of registration in a vehicle. This proof has my address on it. My vehicle has a garage door opener. If someone steals my truck, they’ll know my address and have a simple way to get into my house. I’d rather that they didn’t. Regardless of whether you redact your registration, here’s two bits of advice: -always look the door from your garage to your house. Someone may be able to get into your garage with an opener, but they won’t be able to get into your house without a key. -As soon as you’re aware your car has been stolen, disable the garage door opener. Either unplug it, or change the code. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/11 "2020-04-23T12:41:56Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Regardless of whether you redact your registration, here’s two bits of advice: > > -always look the door from your garage to your house. Someone may be able to get into your garage with an opener, but they won’t be able to get into your house without a key. > > -As soon as you’re aware your car has been stolen, disable the garage door opener. Either unplug it, or change the code. Do you think there’s a garage anywhere that doesn’t have sufficient resources to force an entrance through a locked door given a couple of minutes and some privacy? Once someone has entered your garage and shut the door they’re in your house, key or not. Locking that door into your house does nothing but give you a broken lockset to repair. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/12 "2020-04-23T12:57:30Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > …(…Through the wonderful magic that is the internet today, the authorities can surely instantly access all the details of your vehicle’s registration equipped with nothing more than the licence plate number, which is fixed to the outside of the vehicle in a prominent position.) Laws tend to lag behind technology. The laws that required you to carry and present your data were enacted many years ago. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/13 "2020-04-23T15:06:06Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > Laws tend to lag behind technology. The laws that required you to carry and present your data were enacted many years ago. The OP states that in this instance the requirement to do so was introduced only last year. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/14 "2020-04-23T15:09:01Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > The OP states that in this instance the requirement to do so was introduced only last year. Yes, but the state is Oklahoma, so we’re behind in just about every way you can imagine. You still can’t get a REALID compliant license in this state. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/15 "2020-04-23T15:10:41Z")
> [@UDS](#): > > The OP states that in this instance the requirement to do so was introduced only last year. If that is the case, I suspect it is an exception. I can recall advice given 50 years ago telling us that drivers need to have “license & registration” readily available in the car when on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/16 "2020-04-23T15:17:18Z")
In my experience, the standard request from the officer during a traffic stop is license, registration and insurance card. And I’ve always kept the registration and insurance card in the car, despite the slight danger. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/17 "2020-04-23T15:25:39Z")
State law requires I carry my registration with me when I drive. There is no way I’d always remember to have it unless I kept it in my car, where my insurance proof also resides. It’s too big to fit in my wallet. I’ve never had a car stolen. I don’t know anyone who has ever had a car stolen. I can sleep well at night now worrying about it. If it is ever stolen, I’ll disable my garage door and buy a shotgun. ---
**Author:** ![FastDan1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fastdan1/32/427_2.png) [@FastDan1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FastDan1)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/18 "2020-04-23T15:27:54Z")
In my experience (though I haven’t been pulled over more than a handful of times), in Texas they ask for driver’s license and proof of insurance. Vehicle registration is on a sticker on the windshield. I’ve never been asked for registration documents. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/19 "2020-04-23T15:41:34Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’ve never had a car stolen. I don’t know anyone who has ever had a car stolen. Same here. I drive a stick shift so that’s in my favor. Until my most recent Jeep Wrangler, I’ve always kept the keys in my car. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2020, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386/20 "2020-04-23T15:57:56Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > I’ve never had a car stolen. I don’t know anyone who has ever had a car stolen. Yeah, but it occurred to me that they wouldn’t have to steal the vehicle. They’d just have to get into the vehicle and steal the garage door opener. It’s not something I’m personally worrying about, but I can see why some people might. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/law-enforcement-types-a-question-about-vehicle-registrations/852386.md?page=2)