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can my car get towed without plates

4 Answers
StMadison
12/21/25 4:19pm

Yes, your car can absolutely be towed if it's parked on public property without license plates. The absence of plates makes the vehicle appear abandoned or non-operational, which is a primary reason for law enforcement to authorize a tow. The core issue is that an unplated car on a public street typically violates local ordinances regarding vehicle registration and safe, legal parking.

The Legal Basis for Towing On public roads, all vehicles must be currently registered and display valid license plates. This is a universal requirement across the United States. Without plates, the car is not legally allowed to be parked on the street. Police or parking enforcement officers consider it a traffic hazard and a potential abandoned vehicle. Most municipalities have specific codes that allow for the immediate removal of such vehicles. Even if you have the plates inside the car or are waiting for them in the mail, the law generally requires them to be properly affixed to the designated spots on the vehicle's front and rear.

Private Property vs. Public Property The rules are different on private property, like your own driveway. A car without plates can typically remain on your private property without being towed by the city. However, if it's parked in a lot with public access, like an apartment complex or a shopping mall, the property owner or management has the right to have it towed for violating their rules. If your unplated car is blocking a driveway or a fire hydrant, it will be towed regardless of being on public or private property.

Temporary Tags and Grace Periods If you just bought the car, you should have a temporary tag (paper license) clearly displayed in the rear window. This is your legal proof of registration and generally protects you from being towed for lacking metal plates. Most states offer a short grace period for displaying new plates after purchase. However, this protection is void if the temporary tag is expired, not visible, or if the car is parked illegally for other reasons (e.g., in a timed zone without payment).

ScenarioLikely to be Towed?Key Factor
Street parking without platesYes, very likelyViolates registration laws; appears abandoned
Driveway/private propertyNo, unlikelyConsidered private storage
With valid, visible temp tagNo, generally safeTemp tag acts as legal registration
Expired or hidden temp tagYes, likelyLacks valid proof of registration
Parked illegally (e.g., handicap spot)Yes, immediatelyIllegal parking supersedes plate issue

The safest approach is to avoid parking an unplated car on any public street. Keep it in a garage or a private driveway until you can properly register it and attach the permanent plates.

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DelHope
12/29/25 3:54am

Just went through this. Bought a used truck and had to leave it on the street for a night before I could get to the DMV. It was gone the next morning. The tow company said the city tagged it as abandoned since it had no plates. Cost me over $300 to get it back. My advice? Don't risk it. Even for one night. If it's not in your driveway, it's a target.

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McBeau
01/05/26 4:24pm

As a rule of thumb, any vehicle on a public roadway must display current registration, which means license plates. Without them, it's not considered street-legal. Enforcement can be swift because an unplated car is a red flag for being unregistered, uninsured, or derelict. If you're waiting for plates, ensure your temporary registration is perfectly visible in the window. Otherwise, park on your own property to avoid any trouble.

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DakotaLynn
01/13/26 12:31am

Think of it from the city's perspective. An unplated car parked on the street is a problem. It could be stolen, used in a crime, or just junk left behind. They don't have time to figure out which it is. So, the standard procedure is to tow it. This is especially true in neighborhoods with strict parking enforcement. The responsibility is on you, the owner, to prove the car is legal, and plates are the primary way to do that.

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