Comments on: Mark of the Beast? (Numbers in the backs of cars)

Question: Mark of the Beast? (Numbers in the backs of cars)

rooftop secrets — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 12:50:21 -0800

I live in Los Angeles, and everyday I see cars on the road with a small paper/placard, usually in the lower-left corner of the rear windshield, that displays the number '6'. They all have (as far as I can tell) a red background with the '6' done in white, and the cards are about 3-4 inches square. What the heck are these things, and why do I see them everywhere?

By: mzurer

mzurer — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 13:11:50 -0800

Pretty sure you are seeing temporary tags/registration placards.

By: seawallrunner

seawallrunner — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 13:16:39 -0800

6 = June?

By: LionIndex

LionIndex — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 13:42:01 -0800

I'll second mzurer. Usually when I see these, they're on cars with no plates or with expired registration tags. I've seen numbers other than 6 though.

By: MLIS

MLIS — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 13:50:56 -0800

I think it is a NASCAR thing. Some people have #6, or #8, etc. They are identifying themselves as fans.

By: smackfu

smackfu — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 13:57:22 -0800

As far as NASCAR goes, #6 is Mark Martin, who is fairly popular, but you should see a lot more 8's and 3's.

By: puke & cry

puke & cry — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 14:17:56 -0800

i've never seen temp tags that's just one big number. there's no other detail you've seen on these placards?

By: puke & cry

puke & cry — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 14:21:12 -0800

although it has to be something for "official" use. usually you don't put random decals in the bottom left corner of the glass.

By: LionIndex

LionIndex — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 14:39:28 -0800

there's no other detail you've seen on these placards?

They're about four inches square, white border with red field, and then a white number in the center. I believe there's also some finer print text on the paper, but I only see them when I'm driving around so I don't really inspect them closely. They certainly look completely governmental in origin.

I wondered what they were for a while myself, until I started noticing the expired/absent license plate connection, leading me to believe they were some form of temorary registration.

By: freudianslipper

freudianslipper — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 14:40:43 -0800

I can't find a picture online but I did this about a year ago for my vehicle. It was a red piece of paper with a big number on it. What you don't see is that there is writing on it, over the red so that if you are stopped the office can indeed check and make sure it's legitimate. ie: signed by yourself and DMV.

When you get it you are instructed to tape it to your rear windshield. I am 100% sure that this is what you are talking about. mzurer is correct.

Basically you get a temporary registration if you need more time to register your car or your tags are in the mail, something like that.

By: incessant

incessant — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 15:12:46 -0800

Freudian Slipper is correct -- it's a temp registration given to you by the DMV, usually providing you with a three month grace period until you pay for your permanent registration. As rooftop says, they're all over the place in L.A. (and the rest of California). It comes with adhesive already on, so you just peel and stick it to the inside of your rear window.

By: RichardP

RichardP — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 15:20:13 -0800

I am pretty certain that mzurer and freudianslipper are correct, the paper placards you are seeing indicate that the vehicle has temporary registration - technically I think California calls it a Temporary Operating Permit. Here is a picture I found of a Temporary Operating Permit (I found it here):

The large white number in the center of the red field indicates the month in which the temporary permit expires. For example, a 6 indicates that the permit is valid through the end of June.

By: rooftop secrets

rooftop secrets — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:43:54 -0800

that looks like it's probably it. Thanks a lot guys!

By: deborah

deborah — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 19:44:27 -0800

freudianslipper, incessant and RichardP (and me) are all correct. I'm a native Californian that has had to have one of 'em once or twice.

By: mzurer

mzurer — Sun, 12 Jun 2005 21:20:59 -0800

What am I, chopped liver?

or do I need to start another thread for that?

By: deborah

deborah — Wed, 15 Jun 2005 17:45:40 -0800

Not that you're going to see this, mzurer, but you have my apologies. I didn't scroll up far enough.