I would like to know when states began requiring drivers to be licensed and to register their vehicles. And did the police begin asking to see them right away?
Any info on this would be helpful.
Also, does anyone know how the city of Newport News got its name?
I think only certain states require you to keep registration in your car. I just moved from TN to NC, and NC gave me a registration card to keep in my car. I don’t remember TN or AL doing that.
Nobody seems to know for sure why it’s called Newport News except that two ofthe early explorers were named Christopher Newport and William Newce.
Along the same lines, is there some sort of national standard for the size of a license plate? It seems that every state chooses that roughly 9" x 15" or so (I didn’t take a ruler to my own plate) size.
Yes, because there’s only one size license plate frame/holder/bolt pattern to stick it on the car. It’s a lot cheaper/easier for carmakers that way.
Initially, plates weren’t required but you had to have your initials written somewhere on the car. For a while, they were made of leather.
I’m willing to guess that the “Papers Please” stuff didn’t start in earnest till the 1960’s, when everything else went to hell.
Here in Georgia, the police used to ask for your license and insurance card. In the past 2 years, the DMV has FINALLY gotten computerized and now when you pay your (overly expensive) ad valorem tax (for the which the pay scale is being changed), you now get a “vehicle registration” card whcih has the name of your insurance company on it.