by Stephen Rivers
- Troopers spotted hand-drawn inspection and registration stickers.
- The fake documents were made with pen, marker, and crayon.
- Driver received multiple tickets and the car was impounded.
There’s no denying that New York is a hot spot for scofflaws. From obscured license plates to unauthorized swimmers, the state’s police have plenty to keep an eye on. Add to that list customized, home-made inspection and registration stickers.
More: The Alarming New Way Police Track Your Plates Even If You’ve Done Nothing Wrong
These aren’t elaborate counterfeits, either, but the kind of project a determined fourth-grader might present with a proud grin and a handful of crayons.
What Were They Thinking?
On November 20, police pulled a car over for what they thought were switched license plates. The officer conducting the stop then noticed the registration stickers. They were hand-drawn and colored in with what appears to be crayon and marker.
Granted, authorities did say that one extra ingredient, “an impressive amount of confidence,” was part of the project.
We’re not sure what the driver thought these stickers would do other than get them cited in the end. The stickers show uneven lettering, misspellings such as “New York Safety Emissions,” and colored boxes that vaguely attempt to resemble the real DMV adhesives found on New York windshields.
“As a friendly reminder, arts and crafts supplies do not count as valid documentation,” State Police wrote in their Facebook post, which has since gone viral with more than 30,000 reactions and 3,000 comments.
The public response has ranged from disbelief to appreciation for the artistry (if not the legality). One commenter summed it up: “Illegal, but creative.” Another quipped, “We have DMV at home.”
Also: How the DMV Turns Your Data Into A Multi-Million-Dollar Business Behind Your Back
Officers issued the owner multiple tickets and towed the vehicle. They did not offer details on the identity of the individual or release details about any other charges they might be facing.
What Are The Consequences?
That said, New York is a place where falsifying these stickers can result in serious legal trouble. Beyond fines, convicted parties can face criminal charges that could stick around on their record for years.
To be fair, plenty of the legally questionable stuff we’ve seen in New York seems a lot more problematic compared to that incident which is almost comical in comparison.
Stephen Rivers
Associate Editor
Stephen, affectionately known as Rivers, has gracefully transitioned from being a repair shop manager and... Read full bio