This Thanksgiving season Honk is thankful for his readers, who are the smartest, prettiest, handsomest, funniest, most creative and happiest people, and the sharpest dressers, too. Because of their questions during the past year, he has learned:
When you see — or don’t see — non-working streetlights on highways it is often because of copper thefts. …
If you have 1984 Olympic license plates, you can keep renewing them, but they haven’t been available to get for decades and even replacement plates are long gone. …
In fact, once any style of specialized plate has been discontinued, such plates cannot be replaced but can continue to be used. …
Once a car or truck rolls off of a dealership’s lot, the new owner can get cited for not having two plates. Even for Teslas that often don’t sport front license plates. …
There are no plans to redesign the standard-issue California license plate, which became the norm in 2011, a Department of Motor Vehicles spokesperson told Honk in February. …
Under state law, drivers can prove to police officers they have insurance via a cellphone app. …
In Los Angeles, at least, don’t put a bag over a parking meter that says “Can’t read” — if the meter is otherwise functioning, you could still get cited. …
L.A. is switching to parking meters that allow motorists to use smartphones to pay, see how much time is left, and get notifications when the time is about to expire. …
Above the 5 Freeway near Jeffrey Road in Irvine is a $23 million bridge that will allow walkers and bicyclists to cross over the highway, a storm drain, a park-and-ride lot and Walnut Avenue. It is anticipated to open in summer 2026. …
Up north, in Agoura Hills, a $92 million bridge goes over the 101 Freeway and will open next year and offer a crossing for wildlife. It will be covered with dirt and plants. Mountain lions, deer and bobcats will be able to head over to another swath of Mother Nature’s beauty. …
To retain Real ID when renewing your license, choose the Real ID option on the application even if you already have it — or the privilege goes away. Some drivers have been confused by this. …
To get a Real ID, the process can start online but must conclude with a trip to a DMV office. Once you have it, you don’t have to provide the needed paperwork again except for proof-of-residence documents if you move. …
Disney employees, with the city of Anaheim’s blessing, sometimes use traffic cones to shut down the left lane of northbound Disneyland Drive just north of Ball Road to reduce a merging conflict. …
Temporary license plates, say for when you get a new vehicle, are printed on special paper that can withstand the elements. There is a QR code on them with basic info about that vehicle. …
Exterior lights on civilian motorcycles, cars and trucks cannot be blue under the law. Blue lights are reserved for first responders. Owners of vehicles in violation can get a fix-it ticket, a citation or — if the officer determines the offender is impersonating a cop — even arrested. …
California rest stops are often closed. Officials have said that is because they are in remote areas difficult to get crews to, some of their water systems are 50 or so years old and fail, and state budgets get hit with rising repair costs and, in the past at least, there were supply-chain problems. …
To see which rest stops are open, go to quickmap.dot.ca.gov for that info and more. …
Honk wishes everyone in Honkland (and everywhere else, too) a wonderful holiday season and a lifetime of safe travels. …
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