Q: Hi Honk: I drop off my handicapped roommate at the entrance of the store he shops at. The store also has a pharmacy, where he gets his meds. Afterward, I park in a handicap space and wait for him. I put the placard on the rearview mirror, and I also have his authorization in my console. I never thought about it before until I saw a YouTube video, but is this legal? Of course, if it’s not, I will certainly park somewhere else.
– Fran-Ellin Napoleon, Hemet
A: The law is to help the individual that the disabled-person placard or license plates is for, Fran-Ellin, as you clearly understand.
“Yes, as long as the person who is assigned the valid placard is present, you are allowed to park in handicap-designated parking spaces,” Sgt. Gerard McCann of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department said.
The key, the sergeant said, is whether the placard or license plate is benefiting the person it is for.
If you slide into a disabled-parking slot and drop off your roomie and wait there until he returns, McCann said, that is certainly covered by the spirit of the law.
He said just be prepared to explain this to any law enforcement person if asked, and having that paperwork with you is wise.
“That is the safest and smartest thing,” McCann said.
Q: Every day, I see California license plates altered with spray paint, etc. It would seem fairly easy to send law enforcement people through local parking lots citing cars with altered plates. It could be both a deterrent and a revenue generator. Has the state considered any enforcement?
– Marty Berg, Riverside
A: Each officer from every law enforcement agency decides when to cite, based on priorities.
Over the years, California Highway Patrol officers have told Honk their priority is saving lives — so intoxicated and distracted drivers, speeders and those not wearing seat belts get top billing.
“But license-plate violations can be precursors for other crimes, such as stolen vehicles, vehicles wanted in highway-violence crimes, or fraud,” said Lt. Matt Gutierrez, from the CHP’s headquarters in Sacramento.
“The biggest reminder is that the way the license plates are provided from the DMV is the condition they have to be mounted to the vehicle,” he said in an email. “No sprays, covers, or alterations can be made.”
Honk asked the lieutenant for some stats.
In 2024, he said, the CHP handed out more than 1,300 citations for at least one altered plate. For not having two plates properly displayed (on vehicles requiring them), more than 52,400 citations were handed out.
HONKIN’ FACT: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,148 drivers who were 15 to 20 years old died in crashes in 2023. That age group accounted for 5.1% of licensed drivers that year — and 8.9% of the drivers involved in fatal collisions.
To ask Honk questions, reach him at honk@ocregister.com. He only answers those that are published. To see Honk online: ocregister.com/tag/honk. Twitter: @OCRegisterHonk