A California driver in Merced took the phrase “artistic license” literally by using a hand-drawn license plate on his car. A California Highway Patrol (CHP) officer spotted the unusual plate and pulled the vehicle over, discovering the plate was entirely sketched by hand—a clear violation of the law. The driver explained that his original plate had been lost, but the CHP reminded him that California law requires state-issued plates only. The officer issued a $197 ticket, and the CHP advised drivers to get official replacements through the DMV instead of resorting to art supplies.
This incident highlights California’s blend of creativity and unconventional motorists. Earlier this year, another quirky case in Santa Fe Springs involved a driver pulled over for crossing double lines in the carpool lane. The suspicious “passenger” turned out to be a plastic mannequin, complete with a sharply defined goatee. The driver was cited for multiple carpool lane violations. The CHP humorously praised the realistic look but noted, “plastic is plastic.”
California Driver Pulled Over for Using Hand-Drawn License Plate
Most people have gotten behind the wheel knowing they’d be in trouble if they got pulled over.
Maybe they accidentally left their driver’s license at home. Perhaps their registration had expired. Or it could be… pic.twitter.com/Jp1eXOxl4Y
— Tony Seruga (@TonySeruga) October 16, 2025
Both stories show the lengths some drivers will go to in bending rules, but the law remains clear: official regulations must be followed for safety and compliance, no matter how creative the attempt.
California police bust driver with mannequin passenger in carpool lane https://t.co/dlT10c1HkV pic.twitter.com/Jo2q3Ld37U
— Eyewitness News (@ABC7NY) April 27, 2024
