This Rhône-Alpes motorist had no shortage of humor as he posed in his black Audi S3 with personalized license plates, with messages addressed to other road users. After committing several traffic violations while driving his car, he was pulled over by the police, who shared the joke with supporting photos on social media.

The front of the car has a sign that says “Pousse toi” and the back is personalized with a sign that reads “Catch me if you can.” A message that was taken literally by the Rhone gendarmerie brigade, which then gave chase the driver of the vehicle was detained for several traffic violations.

“Catch me if you can”: the police do not appreciate humor

In a post on social media, the Rhone gendarmerie indicates that the messages appearing on this motorist’s number plates are not the reason for his arrest: indeed, it is specified that “his car was seized after committing several traffic violations. ”, without giving further details.

The military, however, clarifies that putting a “fancy” license plate on your vehicle is prohibited and such practice is punishable a fine of 135 eurosas well as a immobilization of the vehicle.

Catch Me If You Can: Mismatched License Plates?

If the Rhone Gendarmerie points out these “fancy” license plates, are they illegal? Indeed, these Plexiglas sheets have all the characteristics of a approved number plate : Eurostripe with European flag and letter “F” on left, regional identifier on right, mention of TPPR approval, fastening with permanent rivets, etc.

Then it remains message personalizationwith an inscription at the bottom of the license plate: according to article 5 of the decree of February 9, 2009, which establishes the characteristics and method of installation of vehicle license plates, this part of the license plate, otherwise known as the “valve”, must be separated. line or boss, and can only carry “recommendations from the professional who sold the vehicle or the person who sold or repaired the license plate”.

If this text is accompanied by a letter, the insertion of humorous messages is prohibited. Nonetheless, this practice is quite common among motorists, and this is usually done by law enforcement agencies proof of tolerance on this topic. Indeed, there are many professionals and websites that sell approved license plates, allowing their customers to personalize this “valve”.