State Owned Car?

[HiloJulie]

So, while out shopping today, I came across this "State" Plated Car. 

It appears to be a 1997ish vintage. 

Namely, a Lexus ES 300. Which was considered a top-of-the-line luxury car.

It was about 35k brand new in 1997. Which in today's dollars is about $68k.

At first, I was kind of angered. 

But then, I realized that car is 27 years old. I’d say they got their monies worth!!!

But then again, that license plate looks almost brand new. I can't imagine the State is buying used 27-year-old Lexus' as a fleet car.

But then again, even though I could not get a close view of the driver, maybe it's a Puna car and they managed to steal a State License Plate???

Who knows - but that sure is something kind of strange!

ETA: No visible current safety inspection tag either?!?!?!?


   

[randomq]

Hmm, do any other agencies besides police get vehicle stipends? Or police employees besides officers?

[TomK]

No idea, but I do know state agencies do sometimes buy used cars.

['elepaio]

Lotsa older US Government plated cars over by Sears.

All EVs are state owned.

[HiloJulie]

"Hmm, do any other agencies besides police get vehicle stipends? Or police employees besides officers?"

I don't know if there are other agencies that pay stipends for cars, but regardless they would only have a regular Hawaii License Plate. The one depicted in my picture is a plate only issued to State owned vehicles.

"No idea, but I do know state agencies do sometimes buy used cars."

That could be. But a 27-year-old Lexus? And the absence of a Safety Inspection Tag - or even remnants of an old one is interesting.

---

Lotsa older US Government plated cars over by Sears.

All EVs are state owned.

Well, if the State owns all the EV's they sure owe me a hell of a lot of money!

[TomK]

"Hmm, do any other agencies besides police get vehicle stipends? Or police employees besides officers?"

I don't know if there are other agencies that pay stipends for cars, but regardless they would only have a regular Hawaii License Plate. The one depicted in my picture is a plate only issued to State owned vehicles.

"No idea, but I do know state agencies do sometimes buy used cars."

That could be. But a 27-year-old Lexus? And the absence of a Safety Inspection Tag - or even remnants of an old one is interesting.

---

Lotsa older US Government plated cars over by Sears.

All EVs are state owned.

Well, if the State owns all the EV's they sure owe me a hell of a lot of money!

---

"No idea, but I do know state agencies do sometimes buy used cars."

That could be. But a 27-year-old Lexus? And the absence of a Safety Inspection Tag - or even remnants of an old one is interesting.


I don't know. I've noticed many state-owned vehicles without safety stickers. I agree the car looks odd, but also note the Hawaii state says privately and commercially owned vehicles need stickers. I haven't found out if state vehicles need one.

"With the exception of certain commercial vehicles, most privately owned vehicles are issued a safety inspection certificate that is valid for one year. The following documents must be presented to the safety check inspector" - https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/departments...nspections

If, arguendo, state-agencies don't need safety stickers, then what happens when their employees drive the vehicle for private use? I'd like to know the answer to that.

[HiloJulie]

"I'd like to know the answer to that."

Well, I went and looked up the Statutes!

According to what that says, ALL registered owners of any vehicle/trailer except those under motor carrier laws must be inspected EXCEPT:

Federal Government Owned Vehicles - except there is a requirement to have a certificate saying a similar inspection is done;
Military Vehicles - only able to be sold to the military, and;
Farm equipment 

Don't know if that answers the question, and maybe there is another law of exemption somewhere else, but this sure is interesting!

§19-133.2-2 Scope of chapter.


(a) This chapter shall apply to all motor vehicles and trailers except those which are subject to the motor carrier safety law, part XI, chapter 286, [Hawaii Revised Statutes] HRS.

(b) This chapter shall also apply to:

• (1) The registered owner of any motor vehicle or trailer operated on the public highways in the State;
  
• (2) Every person who operates or parks any motor vehicle or trailer on a public highway in the State;
  
• (3) Every official inspection station; and
  
• (4) Every person who conducts official vehicle inspections.
  

© This chapter shall not apply to: §19-133.2-2 133.2-6

• (1) Any vehicle owned and operated by an agency of the federal government, provided that such vehicle, when operated on the public highways carries a certificate within the vehicle showing that the vehicle has been inspected and certified under an equivalent periodic inspection program operated by the federal government;
  
• (2) Military vehicles owned and operated by the armed forces of the United States which are manufactured for, and sold directly to the armed forces in conformity with military contractual specifications; and
  
• (3) Farm tractors, implements of husbandry, and special mobile equipment temporarily drawn, moved, or otherwise propelled on the public highways and which are not required to be registered and licensed.
  

[randomq]

So who's gonna make the citizen's arrest? I think we should prioritize the shady people that obscure their plates first though...

[terracore]

Maybe it was an asset forfeiture vehicle. The government can seize, and use (or sell) any property they believe was used in a crime, even without a case going to trial. The supreme court has previously ruled this was constitutional, though there are pending cases that could change that.

[HiloJulie]

"Maybe it was an asset forfeiture vehicle."

That could be the most logical explanation terracore. 

I also noticed that there is no expiration (Month/Year) sticker on the plate either.