CHP Rumor Regarding Restored Cars

[Andy]

Originally Posted by mac88chp

The document I keep in the glovebox is a copy of a "decal use agreement" that is approved by the commissioner. It identifies me and my vehicle and outlines the permitted manner of vehicle operation and use of the CHP insignia. For security reasons, I will not post any copies on a public forum nor provide copies of it to anyone. However, I am happy to show it to interested parties at a show or event.

I have never been pulled over at a car show
so the assumption is that you were driving
on a public California road
and i can only assume
when pulled over
that the officer could not see
the decal (if it were covered over).....so were you
driving the car with the Decals NOT covered over?
on a public California road??

[ImEvil1]

Mike is pretty careful about that, so I doubt it.

Letter sure would be a great thing to have at a show when they are uncovered, though (at least in CA).

[mac88chp]

Originally Posted by Andy

I have never been pulled over at a car show
so the assumption is that you were driving
on a public California road
and i can only assume
when pulled over
that the officer could not see
the decal (if it were covered over).....so were you
driving the car with the Decals NOT covered over?
on a public California road??

No, never. I always follow the guidelines in my agreement with the CHP and cover all the decals and lights when on the road. I also went one step beyond and installed a master switch for all the emergency equipment under the hood that is kept off when driving.

There is usually never a problem in areas where I've done events with the CHP and me and my car are known. But it's a big state and there are plenty of officers, esp. the younger ones, who are not very aware of the decal agreements and are of course very curious about the cars themselves. Besides showing my CHP agreement, I also give them a couple copies of a fact sheet I did up about SSP Mustangs and the history of my car that help satisfy their curiosity....one for them to keep and one to give to their local POA with my contact info on it should they ever like to consider including my car in a future function or event. They really appreciate the information and I feel it helps legitmize the hobby and my part in it.

[FHP813]

Originally Posted by mac88chp

"There was also word going around that if an on duty CHP officer was at an event ( parade , car show, safety fair etc.) he or she has the power to cite or impound the vehicle, if the owner could not produce documentation showing that CHP sanctioned the vehicle restoration or replication."

Any LE officer in CA, not just CHP, has the power to investigate any vehicle that appears to be out of compliance with any of the existing CA vehicle codes surrounding emergency vehicles and related equipment and they can do it anytime, not just at an event. I know this firsthand as I've been pulled over on the highway in my sanctioned restoration on several occasions.

To date, I haven't heard of or witnessed any systematic crackdowns by the CHP at events or even on the road for that matter. So far, as long as hobbists have been following the generally accepted methods of keeping in compliance with the CVC (covering lights & decals, displaying appropriate "not in service" signage, etc) and in general keeping a low profile, there has not been any major problem out here.

___________________

So much like the FHP paint scheme being illegal this too is not so. You may get pulled over but as long as you don't act like an idiot you should be ok.

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by FHP813

So much like the FHP paint scheme being illegal this too is not so.

Wait a second, now. The cousin of a brother of a friend of a US Marshal who knows a Trooper told me that it WAS illegal, at least according to my friend.

[CHP8336]

I think there is a simple fix to this problem.


If you live in Ca and your car is restored to in service look. TRAILER IT!

If you live in Ca and your car is back to a civilian paint job and all li
ghts/emblems are covered. DRIVE IT!

I just dont know why you would want to even risk getting pulled over with a in service looking CHP car. I think that the $53.00 for a 24 hour U haul car trailer is worth the money. Money well spent in my mind. What do you think ?

[ImEvil1]

Originally Posted by CHP8336

I think there is a simple fix to this problem.


If you live in Ca and your car is restored to in service look. TRAILER IT!

If you live in Ca and your car is back to a civilian paint job and all li
ghts/emblems are covered. DRIVE IT!

I just dont know why you would want to even risk getting pulled over with a in service looking CHP car. I think that the $53.00 for a 24 hour U haul car trailer is worth the money. Money well spent in my mind. What do you think ?

I agree with you!

[Andy]

Originally Posted by mac88chp

I know this firsthand as I've been pulled over on the highway in my sanctioned restoration on several occasions.


___________________

[CHP8336]

Is this thread Rumor or.......................Humor ????LOL LOL

[CHP8336]

Originally Posted by Andy

O.K. It looks to me that I need a letter from the CHP in order to drive my car on a public road if I wish to do so. I want ANYONE ON THIS SITE to give me the proper contacts at the CHP to get this letter. I will go to Sacramento In person tomorrow to get the letter if need be. Keep in mind I do not work for the CHP. I want to see If ANYONE speaks up and gives me any contact information. I will bet that NOBODY will give me any contact info. I will sit back and be waiting for the response to this posting. Lets just see what happens???????...............Also if anybody does not want to post a reply here PLEASE PM ME!!!