Got pulled over last week. In a minivan. With my wife and 3 kids. Here’s the conversation with the officer who pulled me over
(Context, the date is 8/1. My tags expired 7/31)
PO: “Sir, you know your tags are expired?”
Me: “Yes, I re-registered yesterday online.”
PO: “Okay, why don’t you have the new sticker?”
Me: “I don’t know. I guess I haven’t gotten it in the mail yet.”
PO: “Can you step out of the car real quick?”
Leads me to the back of the car
PO: “You see that sticker? It’s expired.”
Me: “Yes. I re-registered yesterday before the expiration date.”
PO: “You need the tag before the expiration date. Now I have to take my time to stop, pull you over, and make sure you’ve actually re-registered.”
Me: “I’m sorry, I thought I just had to re-register before the expiration date.”
PO: “Nope. Get back in the car, I’m going to run your name through the system to make sure you’re telling me the truth.”
Me: “Okay. I’m sorry if I didn’t do this right.”
I get back in my car. He checks my info. Confirmed, I’ve already paid. The tag is in the mail. He lets me go with a warning.
PO: “Make sure you put that sticker on as soon as you get it.”
Me: “Absolutely will do. Thank you officer.”
I’ve generally only had positive experiences with police and I respect my brothers and sisters in blue. But this one bothered me. I mean, come on. Don’t you think there are better things to do than pull minivans over whose tags are expired by 1 day?