National - Got pulled over by the cops...

Because the virginia tagged vehicle that I was driving did not have an inspection sticker; in fact, was pulled over by airport police about 50 feet from the National return entrance ramp, lol.

Fortunately, I had a rental contract printout with me, and they let me go. The cop said that I could've been ticketed. For future reference, if I am ticketed, is it possible to get National to cover the ticket?

I got pulled over a few month back in an Avis rental with expired rags in Miami. Cop was cool about it but I wasn't. That's poor fleet management. .

I think that if I were ticketed, prob. easier to just ask National for vouchers to cover my inconvenience + cost of ticket.

Another reason to stay out of Va!

I'm assuming VA has the sticker in the driver side of the window?

As many rentals as you do with National, they should cover it and compensate you for the headache, if you were ticketed for it.

Another reason to stay out of Va!

I'm assuming VA has the sticker in the driver side of the window?

As many rentals as you do with National, they should cover it and compensate you for the headache, if you were ticketed for it.

The safety/emissions inspection sticker is in the very center of the front windshield, he had a good eye, though I imagine my bright red Mustang convertible undoubtedly helped him notice. :)

This is actually not quite as clear as you might think. As I recall from helping a friend with a car purchase in VA a few years back, the law on inspection stickers for new cars is really odd. The sticker for the first year after purchase is optional, but typically put on to preclude the kind of situation you got into.

However, "If an inspection sticker is not placed on the windshield by the manufacturer or distributor, the owner should maintain documentation within the vehicle to show when the vehicle was purchased and to serve as a reference for future requirements for inspection." (from http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Safety.shtm). My suspicion is that National didn't do that...

This is actually not quite as clear as you might think. As I recall from helping a friend with a car purchase in VA a few years back, the law on inspection stickers for new cars is really odd. The sticker for the first year after purchase is optional, but typically put on to preclude the kind of situation you got into.

However, "If an inspection sticker is not placed on the windshield by the manufacturer or distributor, the owner should maintain documentation within the vehicle to show when the vehicle was purchased and to serve as a reference for future requirements for inspection." (from http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Safety.shtm). My suspicion is that National didn't do that...

Could the barcode on the side of the window that read "2012 Mustang etc.." perhaps give an indication, albeit vague, of when the vehicle was purchased?

Some of these violations are not simple and can have a deep impact on insurance rates. Just being reimbursed for the cost isn't close to enough. For others, an "unregistered vehicle" citation can hold up a Federal security for a goodly amount of time while you get the paperwork to explain it.

It's unfortunate, but as a part of your "pre flight" of a rental where you check for damage to the car so you don't get dinged (pun not intended) on return, check the formalities too and make sure you've got everything you need.

OP - Send an email to National so they know it's an issue.

I always check the plates and inspection stickers now as I have almost gone out of the gate with a few expired ones.

A former co-worker got pulled over one time in an Enterprise rental because they had put the rear plate on upsidedown.

Could the barcode on the side of the window that read "2012 Mustang etc.." perhaps give an indication, albeit vague, of when the vehicle was purchased?

For now, yes, but it's less useful than you might think. They started building '12 Mustangs in February of '11.

For now, yes, but it's less useful than you might think. They started building '12 Mustangs in February of '11.

Yep, better to try to use the build date on the door plate if you're going to pursue that route.

Yep, better to try to use the build date on the door plate if you're going to pursue that route.

Right, forgot about the door mounted build date. Well, that's only as a last resort.

Fortunately, I had a rental contract printout with me, and they let me go.

Do you typically get them to print the contract? Not having the contract makes me a little uneasy but I've just not bothered when renting with National.

Do you typically get them to print the contract? Not having the contract makes me a little uneasy but I've just not bothered when renting with National.

I religiously ask for a contract on printout; it's also helpful for double-checking the price.

I'm not sure how it can be anything but 100% National's responsibility to ensure the cars they rent are properly registered, and thus for reimbursing (in cash, not vouchers) for any costs their failure to do so causes the renter. Tickets caused by the renter (moving violations, parking, etc) are of course your responsibility, tickets due to the agency's error should not be in any way.

I know I would be ripping mad and would escalate to the manager right then to explain and make it right.

I'm not sure how it can be anything but 100% National's responsibility to ensure the cars they rent are properly registered, and thus for reimbursing (in cash, not vouchers) for any costs their failure to do so causes the renter. Tickets caused by the renter (moving violations, parking, etc) are of course your responsibility, tickets due to the agency's error should not be in any way.

I know I would be ripping mad and would escalate to the manager right then to explain and make it right.

As someone else mentioned before, it's not just the money, it's also a violation on your driving record. That could have impacts on insurance rates, employment opportunities, etc. Most of the time in the eyes of the law you are responsible for the vehicle you're driving, regardless of the owner. It's a good reminder to double-check the vehicle before you drive away in it.

I have only been pulled over once in a rental car in 2006 or 2007 in a brand new Buick Enclave crossing Lake Pontchartrain where evidently they watch speeds pretty closely.

I was about 20-25 mph over and as soon as the officer learned the vehicle was a rental, he sent me on my way.

I heard rumor that there is some difficulty with tickets and rentals, but I believe that to be false.

As someone else mentioned before, it's not just the money, it's also a violation on your driving record. That could have impacts on insurance rates, employment opportunities, etc. Most of the time in the eyes of the law you are responsible for the vehicle you're driving, regardless of the owner. It's a good reminder to double-check the vehicle before you drive away in it.

That's good advice. However, each state has it's own rules about stickers (on license plates or inspection). I'm not sure that any of us know exactly what the rules are (eg in Drzoid's case, how are we supposed to know that "new" cars in VA do not require an inspection sticker - let alone if the car is just under or over a year old). Some states don't even require license plate for "brand new" cars.

I religiously ask for a contract on printout; it's also helpful for double-checking the price.

Thanks. I'll start doing that now too--makes lots of sense. National is the first agency I've used that doesn't just automatically print the contract for you.

How bloody annoying to get pulled over for something that is not even remotely your fault!

Thanks. I'll start doing that now too--makes lots of sense. National is the first agency I've used that doesn't just automatically print the contract for you.

How bloody annoying to get pulled over for something that is not even remotely your fault!

It was annoying, but an eye-opening and helpful experience. No harm, no foul and everyone learns something new.

I religiously ask for a contract on printout; it's also helpful for double-checking the price.
+1 ^

I got towed in the French Quarter NOLA (oh what a weekend, most rental car trouble ever!) and when retrieving the car at the impound lot was told I would be SOL without a copy of the contract with my name on it.

The total haul from that weekend: was pulled over once by NPD, TWO moving violation citations (received the second as a gift in the mail: photo speeding ticket) and tow/impound. I'd rather not say what the total was for all the fines/fees. :eek:

I haven't had a ticket in almost 10 years; all I can say is the city of NOLA is trying to boost revenue by preying on tourists. :mad:

That's good advice. However, each state has it's own rules about stickers (on license plates or inspection). I'm not sure that any of us know exactly what the rules are (eg in Drzoid's case, how are we supposed to know that "new" cars in VA do not require an inspection sticker - let alone if the car is just under or over a year old). Some states don't even require license plate for "brand new" cars.

Have to admit, checking the sticker wouldn't even occur to me. I couldn't even tell you which states require them, I just know that where I live we don't do them (which is why I'd never even think of it).