I have always been curious as to how the license plate system works in the USA? What about if you own multiple cars? I have heard that the plate is linked to the driver not the car, is that true? Also what sort of roadworthiness tests do you have in the USA? We in the UK have what we call an MOT where the brakes,steering,safety features,lighting and emissions get tested on an annual basis, does the USA have anything like that?
2006-11-16 07:51:46 · 6 answers · asked by Mr Sarcastic 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
You will find that there are a lot of 'states rights' here in the U.S. Therefore, every state has it's own DMV and variations of licensing, vehicle inspections and title laws. Sounds complicated -- and it IS, but somehow seems to work pretty well. Many states have no sort of road and/or emissions testing while others (like California for example) are completely over-the-top, idiotic goose-stepping nazi strict. Even if you live in a state that has no vehicle inspections (like I do) you are still required by law to keep your vehicle roadworthy and will be slapped with a heavy fine for malfunctiong lamps, excessive emissions, worn tires, etc. Every state I have ever heard of has the license plates linked to the owner and vehicle. My state requires that we remove our plates when we sell our car though many states require that the plates are sold with the vehicle. It's not so bad -- we only have 50 states to deal with......
2006-11-16 11:04:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a car is purchased in the US (or brought into the US permenantly) the car must have a 'title'. This title registration is done by the state government in which the owner of the car lives. The title is associated with the car and moves with the car from owner to owner.
The plates on a vehicle are a method of tracking vehicles and collecting state road use tax. The plates are associated with the car. For example, if you sold your car, the owner name on the title changes but the plate remains associated with the 'title' and thus transfers with the vehicle to the new owner. Thus when an officer 'runs the plates' he can discover the car they are associated with along with the owner's of that car and from there he can determine prior to stopping the vehicle if it is stolen, not registered or if the driver could possibly be a 'bad guy'.
As for inspections (road worthiness). Some states require them.. some don't. These inspections review the correct operation of the same things your MOT does. New cars have a two year inspection period and after that it's every year. (for most states).
Some states have instituted an emissions testing and some don't. Some 'counties' with in states have instituted emission test to help reduce the polution is the metropolitain areas. Generally these emissions tests are associated with the vehicle inspection cycle.
Hope this answers the question!
2006-11-16 08:07:27 · answer #2 · answered by wrkey 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The license plate tells the make, model, and in some states insurance information. And you are correct it also is linked to the person the vehicle is registered to. And if you sell the vehicle the plate stays with the seller for use on another vehicle. I have never heard on any of those tests on personal vehicles just on commercial vehicles. The MVD (Motor Vehicle Department) does inspect vehicles upon registration of the vehicle in some cases. Urban areas also require an emissions test upon registering the vehicle. For an extra charge you can also customize the plate to say for example your name, if it is not yet taken.
2006-11-16 08:01:18 · answer #3 · answered by Popcorn Playa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The car is linked to the driver, but the plate is linked to the car. In other words, if you sell the car, the plate goes with it.
Multiple cars means multiple plates and multiple registration costs.
We don't have an annual safety check, just smog inspections for older cars.
2006-11-16 07:59:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
For the most part, you are on target. However, registration laws differ from state to state as well as vehicle inspections. In Florida, they were done away with as the data from the NTSB showed that less than 2% of accidents were caused by faulty vehicle equipment. 98% driver error.
Multiple cars means multiple tags/registration cost.
The car IS linked to the driver, yes.
If you post the state you are moving to, it will be easier to get your required information.
2006-11-16 07:56:43 · answer #5 · answered by Rich B 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-09 15:16:55 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋