Authorities around the Mid State have reported an increase of license plate sticker theft. Most do not realize their stickers have been stolen until renewal time. Both the registration year sticker and the wheel tax stickers are being targeted.
Authorities believe that people who can’t get their vehicle to pass emission testing in some areas and/or do not have the money for registration have stooped to stealing the stickers.
Test to pass emissions in the volunteer states is not getting easier, it is instead getting harder, despite the fact that newer cars are more environmentally friendly. According to the state of Tennessee website…
“The State of Tennessee developed more restrictive regulations to control air pollution from mobile sources in counties that were not meeting the new 8-hour ozone Federal Standards for air quality. As a result, certain vehicles registered in Hamilton, Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties are required to pass a vehicle emission test. Gasoline and diesel vehicles with a model year of 1975 and newer and a Gross Vehicle Weight Rate (GVWR) of 10,500 lbs or less must pass an emission test before the vehicle’s registration can be renewed. Motorcycles are exempt.”
Many car enthusiast tell WGNS that they cannot pass emissions because of the modifications done on their vehicle. One common modification is the installation of an aftermarket chip that controls the onboard computer in a fuel injected car. WGNS checked into state laws on how a vehicle could be considered exempt from state testing. What we found is that if any modification was done on the car in question, the car (or truck) could not receive an exempt status from the state mechanic.
One way around the emission testing is to register your car as an antique if it is a 1988 model or older. Of course, then you can only drive your car to and from car shows or for general transportation on the weekend.
As far as the sticker thefts on your tags go, authorities advise the best defense is to use a razor or sharp knife to cut ‘X’ across your stickers. This will make stealing it much more difficult and not reusable. A partial sticker is good for renewal with proper documentation and possession of the tag.
Stealing license plate stickers is a misdemeanor crime.
