Steve Jobs Barcode License Plate Mystery Solved

Within a few hours after posting a photo of Steve Jobs' Mercedes spotted outside the Yerba Buena Center, (above) the location of Apple's 'Let's Rock' event on Tuesday, comments and controversy began to emerge along with a flood of email inquiries.

The controversy and questions surrounded the supposed UPC barcode pictured on Jobs' Mercedes SL55 AMG in lieu of of an official California license plate. We discovered wild rumors have dated back several years spawning constant speculation over Jobs' barcode license plate. The most absurd rumor alleges that Jobs paid California DMV a lot of money for a special exemption that allows him to have a UPC barcode instead of a real license plate. A lame idea invented by the village idiot.

Another popular wedge of white trash folklore asserts that Steve Jobs uses a bar code instead of a license plate to expedite the billing of his numerous parking tickets. This also turned out to be false. Our own hack investigation into this looming Jobsian mystery has revealed a few facts that force the rumors into a long dirt nap. Short of a direct quote from Steve Jobs himself, here's exactly what we've uncovered.

The supposed Steve Jobs barcode in place of a license plate is actually the vehicles VIN number placed on the car by the manufacturer (above). When we randomly removed the license plate from a parked Mercedes E320 Wagon, a similar VIN sticker was found underneath (left). It appears that Steve Jobs may be choosing to not display his license plate for reasons unknown, not because he's exempt. California Highway Patrol confirmed by phone that no exemptions for omitting a license plate are given to anyone under California law.

The fine for violating CA Vehicle Code 5200 for lacking the proper license plates can run in the range of $250. The code clearly states; (a) When two license plates are issued by the department for use upon a vehicle, they shall be attached to the vehicle for which they were issued, one in the front and the other in the rear. Section (b) states that if only one plate is issued it should be attached to the rear of the vehicle. Not the case for Jobs.

Another geeky piece to this strange puzzle comes by way of the film "Back To The Future" that featured a bar code license plate on the famed DeLorean time machine. "Barcode license plates were in use by 2015 as a means of identifying cars. It is assumed that they could reveal much more information once scanned than a standard license plate". According to Futurepedia, a Back to the Future Wiki. Could this be the source of the rumored barcode license plate that was eventually attached to Apple's CEO?

It's become painfully obvious that anyone can drive like Steve Jobs if they have an open checkbook, ready and willing to pay the fines to the California courts. I suggest continuing to obey the law if you can't afford to fight it. If you have any unique license plate info about El Jobso that we have not posted, chime in with your comments and let the speculation continue. Consider this mystery solved... for the moment.

below photo by Mathieu Thouvenin    Mercedes E320 photo by Fast Cars



Yerba Buena Photo by Kitetoa      VIN Number Close-up by roachtt3

 

Jobs allegedly Handicap parking at One Infinite Loop  [photo by Rana Sobhany]
 

Comments

[Peter]

Here in California, lots of people don't obey the law when it comes to license plates. The police, generally, don't care but it gives them a built-in excuse to pull you over for whatever reason.

For example, I don't have a front license plate on my car because I think it looks better without one (it's designed for the european license plate, so you have to use an ugly holder for the American one). I've been pulled over by the police once or twice and they've never even remarked on it. They just give me my speeding ticket and move on...

So I think the lack of license plate is just Steve being Steve. He's got the money to pay the ticket, in case somebody pulls him over, so why besmirch a beautiful car with an ugly license plate.

[iPhone Savior]

Good point Peter. I was a CA resident for 22 years and know that it's always up to the cops to make the call. I was just pulled over in Seattle for speeding and then tagged additionally for no front plate for an extra $250 fine. Pwned! 'I'm in ur wallet stealing ur money'

[Constable Odo]

I don't care about the lack of plates, but I'm happy to know what type of car Steve drives. Very nice. Too bad it's not a McClaren SLR. Then he could say he drives a M(a)c.

[Greg]

Don't new cars in CA get temp permits that are stuck on the windshield while waiting for the plates to arrive in the mail? I hear it can take up to several months to get the plates these days. Perhaps he just purchased it and is waiting for the plates to arrive. Did you check to see if there is a permit in the windshield?

[Bill Martin]

When he turns the key on, and puts the car in gear, does the plate descend from it's hidden place in the slot above the plate holder??

[iPhone Savior]

Nice Bill! That would be so James Bond 007 and would totaly fit the Steve Jobs mystique perfectly.

[Dan]

He no longer uses plates for his car because everytime he gets one, it is stolen off of his car. That is why Steve and DMV have agreed that he no longer needs to have one on his vehicle. Why bother when it keeps getting stolen?
Yes, this is a fact. I know for sure.

[David Clayton]

I can tell you that barcode is present on all new mercedes bought, It's for shipping and tracking of the cars, it is in no way a license plate. Job's has previously stated that it is "a game he plays" with the authorities.

[Scott]

I think it's hilarious that he has no plate, yet has a plate frame on the care.

[Steve]

"so why besmirch a beautiful car with an ugly license plate."

That dealer plate frame looks so much sweeter.

[Denny]

I heard people kept stealing his license plate, so the State allows him to not have one now. Maybe one of your sleuths out there could find out.

[MAral]

I wouldent be suprised it its a flip down plate. slides down into the spot.

[Richard]

"That is why Steve and DMV have agreed that he no longer needs to have one on his vehicle. Why bother when it keeps getting stolen?
Yes, this is a fact. I know for sure."

Uh huh? Good one dan. Nice - I believe you because you say 'I know for sure'.

[Carlo]

CVC 5200 states everyone must display plates confirmed by California Highway Patrol (800) 835- 5247 which I called myself. I spoke with two officers and they confirmed, NO ONE is exempt because they are somehow a SPECIAL citizen. Rumors are a painful thing to let go of. I want to believe that Steve is ex-special and somehow above the law.

[iolamis]

When you buy a new car they usually put a neon dealer advertisement in place of the license plate, to indicate that there is a temporary permit, plates on the way. But that neon dealer advert is tacky and has no legal value; driving without it should be just as legal while waiting for new plates.

[Steve-o]

It's been known for years that Steve Jobs does not use a plate on any of his car(s). It is his Rebel nature summed up in the poem apple liked to use back in the day. The barcode is standard fair for any Merc behind the plate.

[Some Guy]

Plates aren't required in California. When you buy a new car here, you can drive around with a dealer advertisement in the license plate frame for as long as you like, as long as you have either your temporary registration or the permanent registration on you to show to the officer.

SJ keeps his plates in the trunk because souvenir hunters will steal them otherwise. If he gets pulled over, he just shows the officer his reg like anyone else.

[sgh]

Maybe he's a CHP 11-99 Foundation member, those guys get carte blanche on the California streets.

http://zo-d.com/stuff/automotive/1199-foundation-license-plate-frame-culture-of-corruption.html

[iZod]

I can totally buy into Steve being the rebel. That fits into my vision of his majesty. Count me in!

[youknowwho]

Hi, I'd like to solve this mystery for you. Mr. Jobs removes (or has removed, depending on the situation) his license plate from any car that is in his name that is parked in a public place. Privacy and security for himself and his family is what is on his mind.

[Mark]

Palo Alto, CA WILL write you a parking ticket if you don't display the front plate. About a $50 fine. I leave mine on the dash board now.

[Michael]

More than likely, Steve got a manufacturer's statement of origin for his Mercedes -- and therefore holds an allodial title ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allodial_title ). The certificate of title you normally get with a new car does not grant you unencumbered ownership, I'm afraid...

If you hold allodial title, you don't have to register your car.

The rest of us have to register our cars because we don't actually own them outright. Interesting note: the only state in the union that supports allodial title for land is Texas.

[MonkeyBucket]

Under California law, a car without license plates displayed, if parked on a public street can be towed and impounded. I'll have to check for the proper CVC citation, but we did this to our neighbors that wouldn't put plates on their cars.

[modtv1337]

wow way to not explain why he has no license plate instead waist my time with restating a well known and widely used law ......... title clearly states bar code mystery SOLVED

[Hugh Jaas]

He can also drive through red light cameras and not get caught.