Quick Summary:
- Move the vehicle somewhere safe, photograph plate mounts, and note exact time.
- File a police report quickly, record the incident number, and keep copies.
- Notify the rental company immediately, follow their instructions, and request written confirmation.
- Collect CCTV details, parking receipts, and toll records to dispute tickets.
Having your hire car’s number plates stolen while it is parked in San Francisco is stressful, but it is also manageable if you act quickly and document everything. Stolen plates are commonly used to avoid tolls, rack up parking citations, or mask another vehicle, so your priority is to protect yourself from fines and liability while helping the rental company secure replacement registration items.
The steps below focus on four outcomes, a police report that creates an official record, fast notification to the rental provider, strong supporting evidence such as receipts and CCTV, and a clear plan to prevent toll and ticket problems until replacement plates are issued.
1) Check immediate safety and confirm what is missing
Before you do paperwork, make sure you and any passengers are safe. If you are in an isolated area, move to a busier location first. Then confirm exactly what has been taken, because it affects what the rental company and police will ask for.
Walk around the vehicle and check whether the thief took one plate or both, and whether any additional items were removed. In California, the rear plate usually includes registration stickers. If the rear plate and stickers are gone, it can increase the chance of being stopped by police for a missing plate or expired registration display.
Take clear photos on your phone from multiple angles, including close-ups of the plate bracket, screw holes, any damage, and the windscreen area if the registration paperwork was kept there. Also photograph where the car was parked, including bay numbers, street signs, and the nearest cross street. Write down the time you last saw the plates and the time you discovered the theft.
If you picked up your car hire at the airport, save your rental agreement and any check-out paperwork. These will later support that you were the authorised renter and can help the provider trace the vehicle’s details quickly. If you arranged your trip through a San Francisco airport pickup page such as car hire at San Francisco SFO, keep that confirmation too, as it may list supplier contact routes and booking references.
2) Do not drive far without guidance
It can be tempting to continue your day, but driving around San Francisco without plates can attract attention and may lead to a stop. The bigger risk is that you get parking citations or automated enforcement issues because the car is not identifiable in the usual way.
As a practical compromise, it is often sensible to move the vehicle to a secure location nearby, such as a staffed car park, a well-lit public area, or your accommodation’s monitored garage, and then pause until you have spoken to the rental company. If you are in a metered spot, keep paying legally or relocate, because a missing plate does not stop a ticket for parking violations.
If you must move the vehicle for safety, keep the drive short and document it. Note the route and time, and keep any new parking receipts. This paper trail becomes helpful if tickets later appear for times or locations you can show were not possible.
3) File a police report in San Francisco as soon as possible
In San Francisco, you should file a police report as quickly as you can after discovering the theft. The rental company will typically require an incident number, and that number is also your best tool for disputing tolls or citations later.
When making the report, provide the vehicle description, rental agreement details, and the exact location where the plates were stolen. If you have photos of the missing plates or damage, mention them. Ask for the incident or report number and how to obtain a copy. Save the number in multiple places, your phone notes, email draft, and a screenshot if you receive it electronically.
Be precise in your wording, for example “number plates stolen while parked”, rather than “lost”. That distinction matters for both enforcement disputes and rental claims. Also note any suspicious activity you witnessed, including a description of individuals, vehicles, or the timeframe.
4) Notify the rental company immediately and follow their process
After you have basic photos and a police report number, contact the rental company straight away using the number on your rental agreement. Tell them both plates were stolen, or specify if it is only the front or rear. Ask what they want you to do next, because different suppliers have different procedures for replacement plates, temporary permits, or a vehicle swap.
Request instructions in writing, either by email or text, especially if they advise you to drive to a specific location. Written instructions can protect you if you receive a citation while following their guidance. Also ask who will be responsible for administrative fees related to replacement plates, and what documentation you must provide.
If your rental was arranged through Hola Car Rentals and you collected the car at a supplier desk, you may have chosen a known provider location, for example National Car Rental at San Francisco SFO or Dollar Car Rental at San Francisco SFO. The most important thing is still to contact the provider listed on your agreement, because they control the fleet vehicle record and the replacement process.
Typical outcomes are one of the following, a same-day vehicle exchange, authorisation to visit a specific office, or instructions to wait while they coordinate with the DMV. If they arrange an exchange, confirm whether you must pay for fuel differences, toll transponder transfer, or any personal items left in the car.
5) Gather CCTV, parking receipts, and any supporting evidence
Evidence is what prevents this incident turning into weeks of disputes. Start by collecting any proof that places the car where you say it was parked.
Useful items include parking garage tickets, payment confirmations from parking apps, bank card records, hotel valet slips, or street meter transaction confirmations. If you parked in a garage or monitored lot, ask the attendant or management whether they have CCTV covering your space, entrance, or exit lanes. You may not be given footage directly, but you can request that they preserve it and provide a contact name and reference for police or the rental company to follow up.
Write down details while they are fresh, the time you entered, the floor or bay number, the time you returned, and whether the car was moved. If you spoke to staff, note names and roles. Even if footage is not released to you, the confirmation that cameras exist, plus a preserved timeframe, is often helpful.
6) Reduce ticket and towing risks while plates are missing
San Francisco has active parking enforcement. A car without plates can be more noticeable, and if it is parked illegally it may be cited or towed. Until you have clear instructions from the rental company, keep the vehicle parked legally and avoid leaving it on the street overnight if possible.
If you must park on the street, pay attention to street sweeping signs, time limits, and residential permit zones. Keep your receipts. If you relocate to a garage, choose one that provides written receipts showing entry and exit times.
Also avoid crossing bridges or using toll facilities unnecessarily until the situation is resolved, because missing plates can complicate automated toll matching and later disputes, even if your rental uses a transponder system.
7) Understand tolls and plate-based billing while waiting for replacements
Bay Area tolling commonly uses a mix of transponders and licence plate recognition. If your plates are stolen, the bigger risk is not your legitimate trip, it is fraudulent travel by someone using your plates on another vehicle, which may generate toll charges linked to the plate number.
Tell the rental company to flag the plate number as stolen in their system and ask how they handle toll disputes. Many providers will have a toll administrator, and your police report number is the key reference. Keep a timeline of where the car was actually located, supported by receipts and photos.
If you have documentation that the vehicle was parked, for example a garage receipt, it can be used to show that the rental car was not driving through toll points at the times charges were incurred.
8) What to do if you are stopped by police
If you drive even a short distance without plates, you may be stopped. Stay calm and explain that the number plates were stolen while parked. Provide your driving licence, the rental agreement, and the police incident number if you already have it. Offer the photos you took showing missing plates and the location.
Do not guess or exaggerate details. If the officer provides additional instructions, write them down. Then share that guidance with the rental company as part of your incident record.
9) Keep a single incident file for the whole trip
To make resolution simple, create one folder on your phone called “plates stolen, San Francisco”. Save everything there, photos, the police incident number, emails and texts with the rental company, receipts, and screenshots of any unexpected tolls or tickets.
Also keep notes of every call, the date and time, the person’s name, and what they told you. If your trip later continues beyond San Francisco, for example via San Jose pickup or drop-off arrangements, keeping your paperwork organised will save time. Travellers sometimes compare options like car hire in San Jose SJC or supplier pages such as Avis Car Rental at San Jose SJC, but your immediate priority is documentation, not switching plans without the rental company’s agreement.
10) After replacement plates or a vehicle swap, close the loop
Once the rental company replaces the vehicle or issues replacement plates or temporary documentation, ask for written confirmation of what changed. If you exchanged cars, confirm the new vehicle details and make sure any toll account or transponder assignment is updated properly. If the provider gave you a temporary permit, keep it visible as instructed and carry a copy with your documents.
Finally, monitor your email and any rental portal messages for a few weeks after the incident. If tickets or tolls appear, respond quickly with your police report number, your evidence file, and the rental company correspondence showing when the theft occurred.
FAQ
Should I call the police before the rental company? If you can, document the scene and get a police report number quickly, then notify the rental company immediately. If the rental company has an emergency line, you can call them first while you arrange the report.
Can I keep driving my hire car in San Francisco without number plates? It is risky and may lead to a stop or citations. Move the vehicle only if needed for safety, keep it parked legally, and follow the rental company’s written instructions.
What evidence is most useful to avoid toll or ticket disputes? The police report number is essential, then photos of missing plates, parking receipts, CCTV preservation details, and a written timeline of where the car was parked.
Will I have to pay for replacement plates? It depends on your rental terms and provider policy. Ask the rental company for a clear written breakdown of any fees and what your coverage includes.
What if tolls or tickets show up after I return the car? Reply promptly with your incident file, police report number, and any receipts showing the car’s location. Ask the rental company how their toll and citation administrators handle stolen plate disputes.
