Part 7/10:
One of the most troubling aspects of this issue is the pervasive presence of unregistered, uninspected vehicles, which are often stolen or modified illegally. The author recounts personal stories of vehicle thefts—one involving a son’s stolen car stripped at a chop shop and later recovered in a different state, underscoring how lack of enforcement might facilitate more thefts and illegal activities.
There are also reports of vehicles operating with no license plates—a common sight in Washington—that often relate to stolen or illicit vehicles. The absence of investigative follow-through, as admitted by state officials, indicates that the state simply does not track or pursue unrenewed registrations unless the vehicle is actively involved in a crime or accident.