What happens when someone writes down your license plate number?

ok my situation is this, today while driving i was wanting to change into another lane and while i was merging (i even checked my side view mirrors!) and thought it was safe to merge HOWEVER, a car was behind me and didn't notice it until he started honking at me, and then i realized that there was another car to let go by before i could change lanes i even turned my head around to see if it was alright but i guess i should've done a full turn around since of course i didn't see that car, i noticed he wrote down my license plate number, i never had this happen before so i was hoping someone knows if something serious will happen?
Additional Details
no, thank God there was no accidents or anything..but of course he was really pissed off that i cut him off, i didn't mean too though..although he passed me and i saw from the corner of my eye he was pointing his finger at me sort of saying "oh your gonna get it!"... >.<

George A

Most of the time it is an irate driver that you pissed off calling 911 to report a reckless driver or unsafe driver. Most think that if they turn in your plate number, the cops will come out and pull you over and issue you a citation right then and there based solely on their phone call. Sorry people, it doesn't work like that.

All that can happen from that is the dispatcher will get some information from the caller, send out a broadcast to all officers in the area & nothing more will happen. If an officer spots your vehicle or a vehicle that fits the description given, (s)he may follow the vehicle for a while to see if they can witness any unsafe driving. If they don't, they will usually lose interest & go about their regular duties.

You cannot get a ticket called in from a private citizen if an officer did not physically witness any unsafe or reckless driving.

Pat F

If he is a cop he can write you a ticket and mail it to you. He will get your info if you are the owner of the vehicle.

If he is a bad cop he may use the info to try and meet you for any number of nefarious reasons.

Or he may be the buddy of a cop and will try to do one of the above.

IceBreaker27

You'll have to wait and see.
If no one was hit, I suspect you're fine.

Actually, I know police officers who record license plate numbers of bad drivers when they're off duty. I know of a few others who work for government in different capacities who do the same.

What do they do with the license plate numbers? Hehe, I'd tell you, but then I'd have to kill you, LOL. It's mainly people who are driving while talking on cell phones that they concern themselves with. They have a good bit of fun, at the expense--and it *can* get expensive--of the errant drivers. And I thoroughly approve.

If you weren't talking on a cell phone at the time, and were obeying all traffic laws, and weren't driving recklessly, I wouldn't worry about it.

SuziQu

You may find your plate number on this site and someone asking 'How do I find out who this plate belongs to or how do I look up that info?'
That is one of the reasons there is a privacy law for plate numbers.

belle

well if you didn't hurt or hit anyone i don't think he can really do much about it. you made a common mistake so i wouldn't worry too much.

Andyman

Odds are the driver you pissed off will get over it and forget to do anything. But if he does call the police or whatever, just explain your story honestly and you wont get in trouble, cause the police can't prove you did anything :)

entidtil

Pack your bags, you are going to jail ! seriously, your question is like asking; how long is a piece of string ? No one here can possibly know what the guy will do who apparently wrote down your license number. Remember what you did and be more careful next time.

edie

stopped at a stop sigh the person on the left wasn't going so i did, he fallowed me he pulled up next to me and was yelling out his window, i didn't turn my window down, i just went on my way but i saw him writing my plates down what would happen

syd

while i don't wish you any bad tickets, i do wish you were as concerned with your own driving errors....it's not enough to LOOK, you must make sure you SEE what is around you. happily, you are fine and so are the other drivers, but next time you, and they, may not be so lucky. Take care now!

Rachel

I set off a flashing 30 sign and was not even doing 35. A man from the water board wrote down my reg. What right does he have and what will happen now?

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