Texas Police Crackdown: Mysterious Traffic Stop Rocks Vehicle Dealers When Plates Missed on Test Drive

Toyota Dealership in Hot Water for Failing to Follow Basic Traffic Laws

In a shocking case of negligence, a Toyota dealership in North Texas is allegedly flouting the law by not providing temporary registration tags on demo vehicles. The Prosper Police Department has had enough, and as a result, officers are now issuing citations to drivers, including those on test drives.

According to WFAA ABC 8, the dealership, Longo Toyota of Prosper, has been ignoring the law, putting safety at risk. Despite numerous attempts by law enforcement to address the issue, the dealership continues to allow vehicles to be driven without proper tags.

The Consequences

Daniel Rocha, a test-driving a truck, recently fell victim to the citation. "He said in order for us to make [the dealerships] abide, we’re going to start citing the customers," said Rocha. He was pulled over and cited for "Operating a Vehicle Without License Plates."

The Prosper Police Department maintains that failure to properly display dealer tags on test-driven vehicles is a violation of Texas law and can pose safety risks, leading to enforcement action by law enforcement. Operating a vehicle without a proper license plate can result in a citation, regardless of the driver’s relationship with the dealership.

The Dealer’s Response

Longo Toyota has issued a statement, saying, "We recently became aware of an issue during a test drive, which we are actively working to address and resolve. Driver safety is a core value for us, and we proudly sponsor a driver education program in our local area. Our team is dedicated to the well-being of our guests and the community we serve."

The Unfair Process

Rocha was offered a deal by the dealership: they would reimburse the traffic ticket if he purchased the truck. However, Longo Toyota denies that such a deal was ever offered. The cost of the citation is $240, and Rocha has a court date to address it.

The Pros and Cons of the Issue

• The dealership is part of the Penske Motor Group, making it a major player in the automobile industry.
• The Prosper location is just one of several under the Penske umbrella.
• The Longo name is familiar, with the El Monte, California, location being the number one Toyota dealer in the world in sales since 1967.

Ending with a Call to Action

Yes, life is unfair, but this is unacceptable when a dealership can’t be bothered to affix temporary tags. For its part, Longo can afford it. However, the dealership stands to lose sales if customers are being fined for its failure to follow basic traffic laws.

What do you think about this situation? Share your thoughts with us! Got tips? Send them to [email protected].