#customs impounding

[newyorkthegoldenage]

Customs guards removing 82 cartons of Irish Sweepstakes tickets from the liner America after it arrived at Pier 61, July 8, 1948. Sweepstakes tickets were sold all over the world, but were illegal in the U.S. Nonetheless, many thousands escaped discovery and the U.S. accounted for the majority of the tickets sold. The whole thing was a fraud—the money was supposed to go to Irish hospitals, but as little as 10% may actually have found its way there.

Photo: Anthony Camerano for the AP

[ivyinne]

Regarding the first question I think Neil observes in TRK that the Ravens all have identical cars with uniform number plates so I always assumed having a specific car was just a team thing and they can't very well exclude Kevin and Jean from that for no good reason. I can see Kevin being taught because he's?? maybe because he's in the public eye so much?? but Jean??

okay but who taught jean how to drive

[somedaylazysomeday]

Hooked

Billy Butcher x fem!reader

You're called to tow Butcher's truck. He's unsurprisingly offended by that. (Takes place before the pilot of The Boys)

Rating: Mature. Minors DNI

Word Count: 4,600

Warnings: Swearing, veiled threats, feelings of helplessness, mentions of alcohol, descriptions of injuries from a fight, insults, and frank discussions of sexuality. (Butcher is his own warning, tbh)

Next | Masterlist

---

When most people said they were on a run, it meant that they were getting some exercise. Or going to the store. Or maybe fleeing from enemies. 

For you, a ‘run’ meant that you were out to tow a car from an illegal space. Honestly, it felt like fleeing from enemies sometimes, but that was only because the customers of your Uncle Bo’s tow service and impound lot didn’t want his product. Like any customer service job, you had your share of unpleasant interactions. 

This particular one was an easy pickup. Some guy had parked on private property and the owners were having his car towed. Simple, quick, legal. Those were the best jobs, at least in your opinion. Bo tended to favor jobs where he could get a little extra for helping or inconveniencing the right people.

You didn’t need to pay attention to the familiar motions of placing the lift under the car’s front wheels. It was an older car with significant damage to the paint and body, so you didn’t have to worry that you and Bo would be sued for scratches or dents. In fact, there were good odds that the car had been abandoned on the property. 

Still, you kept an eye on the surrounding neighborhood as you worked. This wasn’t a good part of the city. Just because you could take care of yourself in a nasty situation didn’t mean you wanted to get in one. 

“Hold on, love,” an accented voice called. “That’s mine.”

You turned, already dreading the conversation. You had been helping your Uncle Bo long enough to not be cowed by many people, but that didn’t mean confrontations with angry vehicle owners were fun. 

Fortunately, this vehicle owner - dark-haired and wearing a long coat - didn’t seem to be angry… yet. He also didn’t seem to need any input from you to keep the conversation going. “I’ll need you to lower my car back down. I’m on official business. Agent Butcher, CIA.”

The skepticism was clear on your face, you were sure of it. “Do you have some kind of identification?” 

His eyebrows lifted, but not in disbelief. No, it was like he took your words as a challenge, one that he relished. He fished inside his black leather duster and retrieved a wallet. He flashed a shining badge at you, making sure you could see the identification card displayed in the opposite panel. “That all you needed?” 

“Yeah,” you agreed, climbing back into the bed of the truck you drove to pick up tows across the city. The parking brake was already locked, so engaging the lift mechanism only took the press of a few buttons. 

Your new friend was finally displeased. With a face like thunder, he stood outside of the truck and frowned up at your open window. You had already locked the doors, of course, but you were ready to start rolling up the window if needed. This wouldn’t be the first time you’d had a pickup get violent.

“Last chance, love,” he growled, accent thicker than ever. “Let me car down or I’ll have you charged with obstruction of justice and inconveniencing a federal officer.” 

That surprised a laugh out of you. The man looked equally surprised, though with a lot more displeasure than you felt. “It’s not a crime to inconvenience a federal officer.” 

“C’mon,” he urged, leaning heavily against the outside of your door. It was hard to claim that he was breaching your personal space through a truck door, especially when his expression changed to one of pleading. “Do me one favor. Just one.” 

“Fine,” you conceded with a sigh. The triumphant smile that flashed over his handsome face convinced you that you were doing the right thing. “Here’s your favor: get a new forger.” 

“Pardon?” he asked, frowning. 

“The CIA doesn’t carry badges,” you told him. 

He tilted his head at you, pulling out the wallet once more. He flipped it open to display the badge. “Hate to argue with a beautiful bird, but what would you call this?” 

“I would call that an FBI badge with ‘CIA’ written across the top.” You reached out through the window to tap on the identification badge with his face on it. “The CIA doesn’t carry badges to show the public. They just have these ID cards. Get a new forger or change your cover story.” 

You pulled your arm back into the truck for just long enough to retrieve a business card from the collection stored on top of the passenger sun visor. “Pick up your car here between six and ten pm, or anytime after nine tomorrow morning.” 

That face was darkening again, but you didn’t give him the chance to say more than a syllable or two before you were pulling away from the curb. His car on the back of the truck made it more difficult to weave through the heavy traffic of downtown, but you managed. You had been navigating these streets for most of your life. Nothing about this was any different than every other day. 

When you dropped the ragged car at the yard, Uncle Bo examined it with an expression of deep skepticism. “Tell me none’a those bumper scratches are from you.” 

You scoffed. “How long has it been since I scratched a bumper?” 

“Years,” Uncle Bo admitted readily. “You’re getting better.” 

“Admit it,” you jabbed, “you’re going to leave this business to me when you finally decide to retire.” 

Uncle Bo snorted loudly. “If you’re still around the tow yard when I decide to retire, sure. You’ll have earned it. But you better not hold your breath - I’ve got years of steam left in me.”

“I’ll remind you about that next time I catch you napping in the office.” You turned, patting him on the shoulder. “Speaking of, I’m going to go enter this in the books. The owner caught an attitude. We’ll probably hear from him again and I want to make sure all of our paperwork is in place.” 

“Good idea,” Uncle Bo agreed. “I’m heading out for the night, but I’ll have my phone if you need anything. And I don’t nap in the office. My poor old eyes need rest!”

You didn’t bother replying to the age-old argument. Bo was already gone, and you were working the late shift. The lot stayed open until ten most nights, and all of Bo’s other employees had the day off. All two of them. They were both mechanics, and since they had planned to service all of the company vehicles early the next morning, you were stuck at the yard alone that night. Bo would have to cover tomorrow night, his tired eyes be damned.

You weren’t proud to admit that you had zoned out while entering the crappy sedan’s information into the tow yard log. This wasn’t a bad job, but there had to be something more out there. Working a dead-end job at a towing company wasn’t how you wanted to spend your life. Maybe it was time to start job-hunting. Again. During a recession and a notable lack of jobs on the market. 

The groan you let out was slightly muffled when your forehead hit the log book. 

The rest of your shift was spent at the desk in the back room, scrolling through employment sites on your phone. Tragically, the shitty job market hadn’t improved in the week since you had last checked. It seemed like your options were to stay at the tow yard, work in another equally unfulfilling job, or go back to school and learn to do something useful. 

At two minutes past ten, you let your phone clatter loudly onto the table as you began to gather your things. You had chosen to wear a thicker jacket than normal that night. It wasn’t quite winter yet in the city, but it was close enough that the darker hours were unpleasantly chilly. The thick material was warm against your hand when you grabbed the jacket and started to put it on. 

And, of course, that was when the phone started to ring. 

You stared at it for a long moment, dismayed. It was almost five past ten by that point, which meant you were five minutes past any obligation to pick it up. But you couldn’t risk losing business for your uncle. And if he was happy with the work you had done, he would complain less when you left early the next day. 

Cursing your own work ethic, you picked up the phone. “Yeah?” 

“I’m here for my fuckin’ car.” 

You seriously debated hanging up immediately. It was close, but you managed to hold onto your temper. “We get a lot of that here. Wanna give me some details?” 

In a longsuffering tone, your charming caller gave you the license plate number. That information confirmed your suspicions: this was the same man whose car you had picked up earlier in the day. 

“I’ll meet you at the gate,” you told him. “Did you bring a form of payment to settle your bill?” 

“I’ve got your money,” he growled. 

“Great,” you said, then hung up. 

You were glowering as you stomped outside into the chilly night. Bo was going to have to pay your overtime. Family or not, you refused to work for free.

“Finally,” the man growled, shoving his hands into the pockets of his coat. “Don’t wanna stand here all damn night.” 

You stopped, crossing your arms. “We’re closed.” 

“Now you tell me?” the man demanded. His accent was even thicker than it had been earlier, a rough British twang. His face was in shadows, but he was clearly irritated. “What the fuck are-?”

“I’ll help you get your car,” you interrupted tersely. “I’m just letting you know that I’m helping you when I don’t have to. Because I’m a great fucking person. You’re welcome. Now give me your ID and stop being an asshole or you can come back when we’re actually open.”

To your shock, he kept his mouth shut and held his ID out for you through the gaps in the chain-link fence. You took it, double checking the name against the one that the car had been registered to. An image labeled ‘Billy Butcher’ smirked up at you from the laminated card until you handed it back. 

“Give me your keys and the money. I’ll bring your car.”

Butcher huffed at that. “Not a chance. Let me in and I’ll get my own car.” 

“We’re closed,” you reminded, putting your hands on your hips. “I’m not letting you into the yard when I’m the only one here.” 

“Fine,” he gritted out, offering a wad of cash. A moment later, a set of keys was also slipped through the fence, dangling from his fingers. 

You frowned as you took the money and keys. Were his hands dirty? They looked dark around the knuckles… Quickly, you peeled off the correct number of bills and handed the rest back to him.

“Not taking a tip?” he asked, cocking a dark brow at you.

“I don’t need to steal your money.” With willpower, you managed to keep back a comment about how seeing idiots like him getting their cars towed was payment enough. 

“Be careful with her,” Butcher warned. “She’s temperamental.”

He stepped closer to the fence as he cautioned you, and you fought back a gasp. Butcher looked like he had gotten in a few fights in the few hours since you had picked up his car. One of his eyes was black, his lip was split, and one side of his face was beginning to swell. With that image in your head, you could see that his hand wasn’t dirty. His fingers were bruised, dried blood flaking at the joints of his knuckles.

“I’ll be right back.” 

Butcher didn’t say anything else as you walked off deeper into the lot, but it didn’t matter. You were lost in thought, trying to remember the signs of a concussion, and you were unlocking the door of his shitty sedan before you thought to wonder why you cared. 

Uncle Bo always liked to say that you were too soft-hearted to live in the city. You had always answered that with a snort and a rude comment, but you were starting to wonder if he may be right. 

A quick search on your phone brought up a list of symptoms, and you were keeping them fresh in your mind as you pulled the car up to the gate. As soon as you had thrown it into park, you slid from the stained seat and unlatched the chain. 

“No stupid moves.” You backed up slightly when Butcher stepped through the gates. “I’m armed.” 

Butcher looked you up and down, amusement on his face. “Whatever you say, love. ‘Sides, I don’t want nothing from you except my car.” 

You gestured invitingly toward his car. Butcher slid into the seat, caressing the steering wheel for a moment longer than you were comfortable with. He slammed the door, then rolled the window down. “See ya around.” 

Your reply - not that you intended to give one - was interrupted when he revved his engine and it promptly died. 

Butcher sat in shocked silence for a moment. He broke it almost immediately with a loud curse that he punctuated with a slam of his palm against the steering wheel. “Didn’t engage the battery disconnect, did you.” 

“Didn’t know you had one,” you said. “All the shit you said when I towed your car and you didn’t think to tell me you had a battery disconnect?” 

“Too busy findin’ out me badge is bullshit, weren’t I?” he hissed. 

“The disconnect couldn’t have been on when your car was towed,” you pointed out. “If it had been, it would have been on this whole time.” 

“I wasn’t planning to be away from my car that long.” Butcher whacked the dashboard for good measure. “Just needed to scope out the supes. Twenty minute job, then I was gonna be back in and driving away.” 

“The supes?” you repeated, frowning. “You were illegally parked in front of the Vought building. That’s why they called me to come tow you. You were spying on them?”

“Someone has to!” he snapped. “Everyone thinks those fuckers are up in their tower, waiting to protect the helpless and all of that shit. But they’re not. They’re a bunch of selfish cunts, and the only things they use their powers for is to get ahead or get off. And you’d better hope you’re never in their way for either of those, or you’ll be gone without anyone to ask what happened to you.”

The silence that fell after that was heavy and awkward. You nodded too many times, eventually finding the voice to say, “I need some coffee. Want some?” 

Butcher gave you a look so full of disbelief that you almost apologized outright, but he gave a slow nod. “Yeah.” 

You retreated to the office, filling two cheap paper cups with the pot of coffee you had unwisely brewed at eight thirty. Butcher hadn’t told you how he took his coffee, but he had answered one of your more pressing questions: he was definitely concussed.

Ultimately, that was none of your business, but it was still a little concerning. If you let him leave and he crashed his car, would it be your fault? Probably not in a legal sense. You could always claim that you hadn’t known he was injured. But would you be able to handle the guilt if he died or killed someone else? 

The moral questions tumbling through your mind kept you so focused on your thoughts that you handed Butcher his cup in utter silence, staring at him. Eventually, he swallowed a sip of the black coffee and begrudgingly said, “Thanks.” 

You blinked. “No problem. So, dead battery?” 

Butcher scowled into the open hood of his car. “Yeah. Does this a lot.” 

“I can get you a replacement,” you suggested. “As long as yours is decent and just needs charged, I can switch it out for another one for free. Or I have jumper cables if it’ll hold a charge long enough for you to get where you’re going.” 

With a slow shake of his head, Butcher said, “Nah, the battery is shot. And the alternator was holding on by a thread. This will’ve bumped it off for good. I’ll need a full replacement for both before I can drive this thing more than a mile or two.” 

Well. You sighed. “I can’t help you with a full replacement for either. I know a mechanic around the corner, but he’s not gonna be open this late. Best he’ll be able to do is tomorrow morning. At least it’ll be easy to get over there.” 

Butcher gave you a sidelong glance. “Suspiciously helpful for someone working after hours.” 

“I get paid overtime,” you replied, not missing a beat. “Besides, maybe I’m trying to earn a place in heaven.” 

“I know a faster way.” Butcher took another sip of coffee while you waited, brows lifted. “Get a drink with me.” 

The non sequitur made you blink. “What?” 

“A drink,” he repeated, exaggeratedly slowly. “Something better than shitty coffee. With me. In a bar - I’m not going to a fucking dance club.”

“How did we get from you threatening me to wanting us to get a drink?” you asked.

Butcher smirked, and you suddenly understood the expression ‘curl of the lips’. “I’ve never threatened you, love. Trust me, you’d remember. But it’s been a shit night. Shit week, actually. The only good part of it so far has been you. Best I can figure… you’re the only thing that can keep tonight from being a waste of my fuckin’ time.” 

“Flattering,” you said dryly. But you didn’t turn him down. You couldn’t claim to be interested in Billy Butcher. At least, not romantically. You thought he was interesting in a tragic comedy kind of way. More importantly, you thought - if you played your cards right - you might be able to convince him to see a doctor and make sure he didn’t have some kind of concussion-induced brain injury. 

“You know what?” you asked, watching Butcher brace for whatever horrible thing he thought you were going to say. “I could use a drink. But I get to choose the place.” 

He was quiet for much longer than you had expected, but he nodded at last. “Don’t choose somewhere shitty.”

You rolled your eyes, snatching the coffee cup from his hand. Despite his complaints, it was almost empty, and it sailed neatly into the trash can when you tossed it with an expert hand. “I’ll call my mechanic on the way.”

Butcher paused to lock his car before you left. It was a futile gesture since you would lock the yard’s gate behind you, but he insisted. Besides, it gave you a chance to call the mechanic. You even had time to find a route to your favorite bar that led past a 24-hour health clinic. All you had to do was make light conversation until you made it to the doors…

“Why do you work at a towing company?”

You blinked at the abruptness of the question, but gamely answered it: “My uncle owns it. I’ve been helping him since I was a teenager.” 

Butcher grunted. “Most people leave their first job.” 

“And what about you?” you asked, a hint of challenge in your voice. “Why do you do what you do? What do you do?” 

“I help keep supes from killing us all.” 

“Yeah,” you agreed awkwardly. “They seem like a real threat to society with all of the crime-fighting and donations to charity.” 

“Public relations, love,” Butcher told you, “nothing more.” 

“Of course they use public relations,” you replied, trying to ignore the little tingle that went through you at him using that pet name in that tone. “Most businesses have to do some kind of public relations. Especially big companies like Vought.” 

Butcher snorted. “They don’t use PR to neaten up their image; they use it to cover the mountain of shit their pet psychopaths get into. And that lot ain’t heroes. They’re a bunch of cunts with too much power and not enough people to tell ‘em to knock it off. They’re dangerous, and what makes ‘em that way is people like you who think they’re heroes.”

“Okay,” you said slowly, trying to decide between pacifying him by agreeing or antagonizing him so you could hear more of his ranting. It was fascinating and oddly entertaining, and you found yourself slowing down so you could keep talking before he got to the clinic. “But what about-?” 

“They ain’t good for society,” he insisted, interrupting you without seeming to notice. “You’re probably more of a hero than they are, and all you do is inconvenience good people.” 

“You were parked in a fire lane,” you reminded him, getting irritated. “If anyone was inconveniencing people-” 

“Have you ever thought about the people who are around for a supe fight?” Butcher asked, ignoring your excellent point. “Collateral damage, they say. Supes ruin a lot of lives, and it’s supposed to all be worth it.” 

“Sometimes,” you conceded. “But it all depends on the situation, right? If you’re just basing it off of lives saved versus lives lost, doesn’t it make more sense to sacrifice a few to save a lot of people?”

Butcher narrowed his eyes at you. “Spoken like someone who’s never had to see a kid crushed by a car or a couple cut in half by a laser beam.” 

“What are you doing about it, since you hate supes so much?” 

“Fuck-all,” Butcher told you. At your strange look, he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “Seems like it most days, anyway.” 

“And on the other days?” you pressed. 

“The other days…” He frowned, staring at the dirty sidewalk in front of you both, but he didn’t really seem to see it. “Some days, I help people. Help ‘em from being the next statistic Vought sweeps under the fuckin’ rug, you know?” 

You didn’t, not really. But something about the weariness in his voice was familiar, and you felt its echo in your chest. “Yeah, I know.” 

Both of you fell silent after that, but it wasn’t uncomfortable or stilted. You were at ease beside him as you walked. In fact, you were almost a little sad when you saw that you were rapidly approaching your secret destination.

Halfway up the block, a small medical clinic advertised its services with signs in multiple languages and a well-illuminated caduceus symbol. The automatic doors opened at odd intervals to let patients in or out, spilling light across the sidewalk every time. It was staffed and reliable without being crowded, and everything in the clinic was ruthlessly clean. It was the place you took Uncle Bo, your coworkers, and yourself if something happened at the tow yard, or if someone was feeling under the weather. They had always been good to you, and you knew they would be good to Billy Butcher, too. 

“Maybe we should stop here for a minute,” you suggested, pausing by the door.

Butcher glanced up at the sign, dark brows furrowing. The next instant, his eyes were roaming up and down your body and face. “You hurt?” 

“No, but you might be.” Butcher sighed and started walking again, but you didn’t budge. “I’m serious! You might have a concussion and that can end up ruining your life.” 

Butcher rounded, now several feet ahead of you. “You really think I don’t know what a concussion feels like? Just call me a pussy. It’s faster.”

You rolled your eyes, but caught up with him as he started walking away again. After a block of irritable silence, he glanced sidelong at you. “Are you actually interested in a drink? Or did you just want to get me to a doctor?” 

“Bit of both,” you answered after a moment of consideration.

“Makes one of us,” he muttered. “Don’t know how much I feel like having a drink now. You’ve ruined my appetite.”

“Wanting a drink doesn’t count as an appetite.” You weren’t entirely sure why you were still following Butcher down the sidewalk. 

“Is this what you do?” he demanded, stopping short and rounding on you. His face was all righteous fury, dark brows stabbing upward as his nostrils flared. His hands braced against his hips, splaying his coat until he looked like a big creature puffing itself bigger with rage. “Nag people to make yourself feel more important? It’s annoyin’ as fuck.” 

You had stopped short to keep from running into Butcher, so it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing that you dropped your eyes to the bit of sidewalk between you. After a few breaths to get yourself back on an even keel, you met his eyes again. 

“I’m sorry,” you apologized freely. “I didn’t realize I was bothering you so badly. I’ll have one fo the technicians call you tomorrow morning with details about your car.”

It was your turn to whip around and start walking in the opposite direction. You weren’t entirely shocked when a second set of footsteps began to echo yours. You glanced up at Butcher. “You don’t have to come back with me. I’ll make sure your car gets to the mechanic shop tomorrow.” 

“Not gonna let you walk back there alone, am I?” he asked. “There’s too many dumb fuckers about for that.” 

There was clearly no point in arguing with him, so you didn’t bother. You wrapped your arms around yourself, even though it made you walk like a duck. The evening was just tipping from cool to cold, especially with the wind picking up. And the lack of conversation between you and Butcher somehow managed to be colder than the autumn night.

“If it makes you feel any better,” you started, breaking the silence, “I don’t think that you’re concussed. Not anymore.”

“Yeah?” Butcher pressed when he had finished giving a loud snort. “What am I then, doctor?” 

You stared him full in the face as you replied, “A conspiracy nut with a vendetta against supes. But you’re pretty harmless, all things considered.” 

Butcher laughed at that, loud and sharp. The joy made him look more savage, his teeth flashing sharply white against the darkness of his facial hair, and you needed a moment before you could pull your eyes from his face. “Can’t argue with none of that, love. But if you think I’m anywhere near as dangerous as an uncontrolled supe, you haven’t been payin’ attention.” 

“Maybe you’re not, but I don’t see any supes around here,” you pointed out. “Controlled or otherwise.” 

“Thank fuck for that,” Butcher muttered. “Well, seein’ as I’m not so dangerous after all, maybe we should go get a drink.” 

“Thought you weren’t in the mood anymore,” you said, a challenging little tilt to your chin. 

Butcher stroked his chin, thoughtful eyes on you. “I could be persuaded. That is, if you’re still in the mood.” 

“Not really,” you admitted, watching him deflate slightly from the corner of your eye. “But I have some energy and frustration to burn off. You interested in helping out with that?” 

It took a moment for Butcher’s parted lips to form words, and you watched the process patiently. “Are you propositionin’ me?” 

“Yes,” you confirmed. “Are you offended by that?” 

“Offended you beat me to it.” Butcher’s grin had gone from disbelieving to wolfish in less time than it took to get that sentence out. “And I accept.” 

“Good, we’ll go to my apartment,” you decided. “It’s close and clean.” 

“Had me at ‘close’,” Butcher told you, trailing close to your heels. “Lead on, love.”

---

Author's Note - This definitely isn't a substantial enough plot to need two parts, but I ran out of time to edit. Explicit part two coming tomorrow!

[bad-tf-fic-ideas]

(103) You've heard of fake marriage, now get ready for fake divorce!

Rodimus has been impounded on an alien planet whose natives respect only drama, and his "quick thinking," ploy to get him UN-impounded is to explain that, no, his awful parallel parking is not due to flagrant disrespect for the local laws and customs, but rather due to emotional distress owing to his recent divorce from Minimus Ambus.

["But it WAS due to your flagrant disrespect for local laws and customs," Minimus insists, offended. We all know he made the parking situation completely, exhaustively clear when they disembarked. Not the point, Mims.]

[crashingthisbane]

Batman Rogues' Cars: My headcanons (with pictures) PART TWO

Two-Face:

He drives a non-street legal car and he gets in a lot of trouble for it, but he doesn't care. It fits his vibe too well for him to not use it. However, he has another car in case the first one is impounded.

(I have no idea what make and model the first car is. It seems to be a custom build, and the mechanic calls it the 'Two-faced' car.)

License plate: DBLTRBL

His second car:

Porsche 911, custom wrap job.

License plate: 2NDRIDE

Mad Hatter:

His car is so fucking bad. Beautiful, but bad. He refuses to upgrade to a faster one and almost immediately loses every chase with the Batmobile. He simply does not care. The vibe is immaculate. (Has several cupholders, as well as a hat rack.)

Ford Model A License plate: WNDRLND

Mr. Freeze:

Due to his accident, he drives a modified van. Normally, refrigerated vans are only kept cold in the back, but this van is also cold in the driver's seat. It doesn't get cold enough for him to take off his suit (otherwise it would damage the vehicle's electronics and operation), but it does reduce strain on it by keeping the outside temperature colder.

Refrigerated Van

License plate: FRZN

Harley:

She drives a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Obviously. While not the best motorcycles, she couldn't pass up the opportunity for such a fun ride.

License plate: J3ST4H (Thank you to @the-hopeless-fanboy for the suggestion of the license plate!)

Ivy:

Drove an EV before deciding that the lithium batteries were still too bad for the environment. She uses a bicycle now (or her powers if she's not trying to be inconspicuous.).

No license plate, obviously.

Punchline:

She drives a fast and loud car. She wants to be seen and heard by everyone in Gotham. The car has LED underglow lights that alternate between purple, blue, and green).

Lamborghini Huracán STO (pretend the mirrors are blue and the spoiler is green, i couldn't find one with the exact paint/wrap job I imagined)

License plate: PUNCH13 (thank you for @venuslovesfrogs for suggesting her and the license plate!)

If people like these, I'll keep doing more. Please comment or tag which rogues (or anyone really) you want to see next!

[danaclese]

How to make Spider-man villain Big Wheel work in modern comics.

You change 2 things, first the mech is indestructible, and secondly you make it a legacy title, sold only on name recognition.

There's an evil genius in marvel who sells super tech named the Tinkerer.

Make big wheel a running joke where villains need a giant mech but cant afford the 50 million for a gundam and settle for the 5 million big wheel. Customer: The big wheel, didn't rocket racer defeat that thing?

Tinkerer: User error, and not a scratch on it. Its famous!

Its a loop joke, suitable for montage, it leaves a trail everywhere it goes, super easy to track, the guy is always caught, and tinkerer always uses a better mech to recover it from the harbor or police impound to resell later.

Defeating the Big Wheel becomes a right of passage for New York superheroes.

[beardedmrbean]

"Highly confidential" documents obtained by BBC Persian outline how Iran's government is trying to crack down on women who do not wear a hijab.

Two documents from April and May reveal the judiciary could set up "mobile courts" in public places like shopping malls to punish dress code violations.

They also show schoolgirls could face action by the education ministry and that celebrities could be jailed for up to 10 years for "promoting corruption".

Iran's government has not commented.

However, an Iranian newspaper that published a short section of one of the directives has been charged with publishing classified documents.

And some of the directives were included in the controversial "Hijab and Chastity Bill" that is currently being reviewed by the Guardian Council watchdog before becoming law.

Iran's parliament passed the bill in September - a year after protests erupted over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly.

Women burnt their headscarves or waved them in the air at the demonstrations against clerical rule, during which hundreds of people were reportedly killed in a brutal crackdown by security forces.

Although the unrest has subsided, a growing number of women and girls have stopped covering their hair in public altogether in open acts of defiance.

According to the leaked documents, Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi approved a series of directives aimed at coordinating action by the government and other entities to address the issue of women not covering their hair in public - several months before parliament began debating the hijab bill in secret.

Security services - including the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence service, the ministry of intelligence, and the Security Police - were granted extensive powers to implement those directives, they show.

Some of the directives state that:

Police should "prepare the necessary documentation regarding schoolgirls who unveil" so that appropriate action can be taken through the education ministry

Celebrities, influencers and bloggers who do not cover their hair, or who "encourage unveiling" on social media, should face the charge of "promoting corruption", which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Officers will also be able to enter their homes and seize their computers and mobile phones

Officers can seal or shut down without permission any shops or other businesses not comply with the hijab regulations, and that any customers who violate them should be denied services, forced to leave, or handed over to the judiciary

Cafes considered "corrupting centres" because of the role they played in last year's protests should be shut down, particularly those near schools and universities

Officers are authorised to initiate legal proceedings against women who resist warnings to cover their hair on charges including "promoting corruption"

There is a need for a national database of "motorcycle number plate bank" so those carrying female drivers or passengers with uncovered hair can be identified

Monitoring should be increased of companies whose employees "violate dress codes provocatively and immodestly during entry, exit, and within the premises"

A significant portion of the directives in the leaked documents have already been implemented, including setting up hijab enforcement units inside metro stations and other public spaces; impounding cars that transport unveiled women; denying services to women violating the dress code; and closing cafes.

According to the documents, the police force is required to assign a sufficient number of officers to "identify and warn women who have unveiled themselves", and that in areas where there is sufficient manpower IRGC personnel will help carry out the task.

In the past few months Iranians have noticed the presence of hijab enforcers at metro stations across the capital, Tehran.

The interior ministry and Tehran municipality have described them as "self-motivated forces that do not require a licence for their activities".

But the documents show that their presence is the result of a government decision, which has required planning and the allocation of resources.

The documents also emphasise the importance of "extensively filming and documenting the identity of those involved in unveiling", and indicate that hijab enforcers filming women and girls are affiliated to the security services.

[pinehutch]

Was I even going that fast?

summer friday afternoon, you seventeen, you speeding past me on the right, you promise of the rest of the summer ahead. summer friday afternoon and you, little black car, spoiled and custom-spoilered and spoiling for the fight against inertia. summer friday and I’m older, so I could be your mother (I couldn’t), or I could be your mom’s weird friend (better), so I can drive my own sedate sedan steadily and let you overtake me in a rush of choices.

It’s all I’ve got, man.

and I can watch you (not you but what you’d call you, where you’d place yourself in this story) hit wet sand and gravel at a little too fast and then you’re spinning down the off-ramp and you’re not getting to the highway with your tire at that angle and your back end hovering over the ditch and you facing the wrong way while a transport comes. (and we, you’re not the only one here, we get you off the road.)

My fucking car, it’s all I have.

I could be your mom’s weird friend, and you know it when you tell me that four weeks ago this little black car with its freshly bent axle and its scraped-bare front bumper was in impound and it wasn’t your fault. you need me to know this: it wasn’t your fault. it was only that you were on the highway, and someone else was, and sometimes you are seventeen and your blood tries to sing its way out of your body and life is blinding bright and richer than you’d imagined and risk is a plastic and moldable concept. you spoke like you’d been hunted.

when the deer run switchbacks through these old hills, can you call that stunt-braking?

I’ve got nothing left

oh kid even my evening’s just started; you’ve got days and days, years, whole eras. you’ve got your mom’s number in your phone. you’ve got this nice couple with a dog looking at your tire. you've got a tow-truck coming. no one is laughing at you too much. you’ve still got this car (maybe don’t drive it yet).

here: you’ve got a bottle of water and someone to remind you to breathe.

here, you’re connected all together in your selfness.

here, you’ve got the horrible gorgeous long future scraped out in front of you, rubber in reverse.

(you have, almost certainly, decades. you will drive recklessly again. i hope you don’t kill anyone, but people — generally — will die, and you’ll mourn them. you’ll love them, and so you’ll pay the grief-price of it that we all do. you’ll succeed and then you’ll fail, again and again. sometimes the success will feel as inevitable as making your turn. some failure will come from an impossible direction.

you’ll sit on your kitchen floor some nights and sob to yourself that you’ve got nothing left. you’ll be wrong then, wrong again.

you will have summer friday afternoons, and rainy tuesdays in november. you will, eventually (i hope, i hope) laugh about this. you’ll move out of your parents’ house and live in a place where people walk to meet their friends. maybe you’ll have a favourite place to meet them. maybe you’ll take a little more time: you have it. you have so much more.)

I’ve got nothing left. oh sweetheart, oh fool. come around me to the right again; let me, sinister, instigating, chase you off the side of this road into the next.

[eriexplosion]

Cut and Run time

Early intro to Hunter and Echo's co-leading style where Hunter makes the calls but Echo tends to be the one he uses as a soundboard. No wonder he absolutely cannot function even more than before when Echo leaves.

I swear the Omega Discovers Dirt scene was just to flex with the dirt cloud animations.

I REALLY want to know how the batch met Cut. But also, Tech's SMILE and very very slight laughter undertone when saying "Why not? We're all deserters now." is giving me life. As is Echo's FACE OF REALIZATION here.

"Ma'am" Echo is the most polite and CUTEST PERSON ALIVE.

Okay I can never get over Cut's face falling into worried and then asking about Crosshair and he is SO sincere about it. The quiet subtle way that this informs Aftermath, even if you didn't see him in TCW it DOES tell you that Crosshair wasn't Always like that, and that Cut at least has a positive enough relationship with him to be concerned about him.

Also he absolutely is worried at first that Crosshair has been killed, you know he is, like, that is always going to be a risk with clones. Hearing that it's complicated and getting into mind control discussions isn't like GREAT but at least it's better than him having been killed during the war right

Omega though, just. Casually. OH HE MUST MEAN THE INHIBITOR CHIP :D She's so chipper about it. Like it was just a thing surely everyone knew. And then Tech backing her up with HOW ELSE DID YOU THINK IT WORKED? Ridiculous squad.

Honestly the expressions in this episode are fucking gold because the knowing smiles when Hunter nods for Omega to go ahead outside and Hunter's bewildered double take. He is not a parent. He swears.

He JUST MET THAT KID he's NOT a parent.

Anyway Cut's onto his bullshit.

OMEGA NOT KNOWING WHAT FUN IS THOUGH. BABY GIRL. Learning about dirt AND fun in one day.

Cut's single grey streak in his hair is gorgeous too, what a handsome man. He also looks like he's got a bit of dad bod going too.

Rampart is doing his very best customer service voice about chain codes. But even a glimpse at his face has me going BOO HISS BOO.

Now Omega gets to learn about mortal danger, it's a very busy day for this child. Cut's soft dadding has me Emotional. He's SO GENTLE.

"Tech do you think you can forge some chain codes?" "I only learned of them moments ago, but yes!" The way I adore him your honor.

The moment with Omega taking off her headpiece is so underrated, like despite how much she wants to be with the batch, Kamino was her home and this was a piece of her life that she already knows doesn't fit anymore. But even if it doesn't fit, it's still a lot to take it off and officially leave that behind her.

It's SENDING ME that Tech doesn't even actually say they should impound the ship he just sideways implies it and Echo picks it up IMMEDIATELY and then goes 'yeah okay' like we say that Echo carries the brain cell but when put into range of Tech that brain cell goes pinging off into the fucking distance like it was set next to an opposite charged magnet.

"YOU DID WHAT? T E E E E C H."

Hunter is just. YELLING INTO THAT COMM. HE IS SO MAD.

Full Of Rage

I love the Tech & Echo dynamic so fucking much, honestly, Tech being so chill and then Echo just. WE CAN'T GET CAUGHT AT ALL WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??????

Like Echo, bby, you knew exactly what you were doing when you went along with this plan.

"Found her." The pointing really sells it.

"Well... We didn't let her go!" Followed up by Tech and Echo squabbling over removing the boot is so funny, this episode is SO fucking funny and I feel like we don't talk about how hilarious it is enough.

I admit part of why I want season 3 to have a portion where Echo and Tech are on their own together is because I adore the squabbling they're so fucking funny. When Echo asks if he wants to give it a try apparently he did because he was already outside to stun the guy that catches them.

Wrecker is so sweet and gentle with Omega I'm <3 The Boy.

Okay though the fact that Hunter literally did not tell Omega anything at all, just straight up said Nothing because it was going to be a hard conversation and Hunter will physically leap off a building before willingly having a hard conversation. And they do this to her REPEATEDLY because they didn't tell her about Echo leaving either in season two. No need to have hard discussions when you can just spring something on the child with no warning, right? Anyway, his avoidance is established so early and there's no way he gets through the whole of season 3 without being forced to confront it and willingly undertake a Difficult Thing without being forced into it.

THE FACT THAT HE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THIS CONVERSATION WITH WRECKER presumably because Wrecker would have tried to talk him out of it because he's the first one that engages with Omega as an Individual and not like, the vague concept of a child.

Hoist your local Gonky for enrichment purposes

This is just such a sweet and sincere episode that also happens to be hilarious, I just really adore it.

[tendie-defender]

Not trying to get at you or anything but I can't find anything about it being illegal to own more than $100 in gold. The closest thing I can find is that if it's more than $10000 you have to declare it in customs if you go to California. Could I get some clarification?

March 9, 1933 (48 Stat. 1) The act provided for the impoundment of all gold and Gold Certificates, making private possession illegal. January 30, 1934 (48 Stat. 337) With this act, also known as the Gold Reserve Act, the Government took control of the gold supply in the U.S.

[unforth]

Pre-ordered my QQGK and LHJC...

...now if only the Nanchan situation would get sorted out, sigh...

(the TL:DR is that a shipment of 23 boxes of Nanchan got impounded by customs and they wouldn't release it, so those of us impacted, those copies are now being shipped back to Singapore, from where they'll be REshipped to the US, and THEN Yiggybean can do the fulfillment, sigh. They're hoping to get them out in November. I appreciate their communication on it, I just hate that stuff like this happens at all. RIP that one enormous ShanGo order, dead forever in Canadian impound with who-knows-what illegal shit in the same order.)

[lakewinnipeg]

hi. longtime follower here. ur nta in this situation like at all lol. like sure you couldve handled the talking better but you were being yelled at so who cares. im from the usa and border patrol is everywhere in my area and they use violent dogs to detect drugs and shit. when i was a toddler my family got inspected for being visibly mixed race and they pointed guns at us and its so traumatic that i still remember it. border patrol has multiple checkpoints in my area and ive gone through them more than most people do in their lives. they're cops with every tool at their disposal! of course it's fucking scary!! plus getting ur car impounded sucks and they can do it for no reason at all so yeah

thank u I felt like so insane in that situation BC I was trying to tell that person about how dangerous it can potentially be at the border if they decide to fuck with you & she was like youre insulting me and you're saying I am a criminal. & I kept on trying to be like Can you listen to me can you look this up and she just got more and more insulted the whole time

I literally look and sound white and so does my mom but she's still stopped every single time we go thru customs BC of her muslim name it literally does not matter if you are the most angelic person on earth border control can do whatever the fuck they want with no accountability at all

[mostlysignssomeportents]

This day in history

This Thursday (Oct 19), I'm in Charleston, WV to give the 41st annual McCreight Lecture in the Humanities. And on Friday (Oct 20), I'm at Charleston's Taylor Books from 12h-14h.

#20yrsago RIAA streamlines confiscation of customers’ life’s savings https://www.wired.com/2003/10/riaa-croons-a-new-warning-tune/

#20yrsago Google softens AdSense ToS https://memex.craphound.com/2003/10/18/google-softens-adsense-tos/

#20yrsago What’s Radical About the Weblog Form in Journalism? https://web.archive.org/web/20031112231950/https://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2003/10/16/radical_ten.html

#10yrsago UK government sends 40,000 texts to semi-random foreigners (and some Brits): “You are required to leave the UK!” https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/oct/18/labour-answers-40000-go-home-texts-immigrants

#10yrsago TSA admits “terrorists in America are not plotting against aviation” https://professional-troublemaker.com/2013/10/17/tsa-admits-in-leaked-doc-no-evidence-of-terrorist-plots-against-aviation-in-us/

#5yrsago A data-driven look at the devastating efficacy of a far-right judge-education program https://elliottash.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Ash-Chen-Naidu-Ideas-Have-Consequences-Impact-Law-Economics-American-Justice.pdf

#5yrsago US veterans operate in Yemen as mercenary assassins for Middle Eastern autocrats https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/aramroston/mercenaries-assassination-us-yemen-uae-spear-golan-dahlan

#5yrsago Slaves – including children – make the bricks for Cambodia’s housing bubble https://static1.squarespace.com/static/596df9f8d1758e3b451e0fb2/t/5bc4d7cdc83025e41e7b10a0/1539627177544/Blood+bricks+high+res+v2.pdf

#5yrsago Deleting Facebook is not enough: without antitrust, the company will be our lives’ “operating system” https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2018/10/25/facebook-autocracy-app/

#5yrsago Nobel-winning economist Joe Stiglitz on how the US economy became a “rigged, inherited plutocracy” and how to fix it https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-american-economy-is-rigged/

#5yrsago City of Seattle’s official tow partner impounded a homeless woman’s stolen car and wanted $21,634 to give it back https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/a-21364-bill-how-a-homeless-woman-fought-her-way-out-of-tow-company-hell/

#5yrsago GDPR: Good for privacy, even better for Google’s dominance https://cliqz.com/en/magazine/study-google-is-the-biggest-beneficiary-of-the-gdpr

#5yrsago Radical expansion of Australia’s national firewall will censor search results and websites https://www2.computerworld.com.au/article/648404/new-anti-piracy-laws-target-search-engines/

#5yrsago Anaheim’s living wage ballot measure pits big corporate donors against union money https://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-disney-unions-anaheim-elections-20181018-story.html

#1yrago Being good at your job is praxis: The FTC can mandate Right to Repair without (further) Congressional authorization https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/18/administrative-competence/#i-know-stuff

My next novel is The Lost Cause, a hopeful novel of the climate emergency. Amazon won't sell the audiobook, so I made my own and I'm pre-selling it on Kickstarter!

[flightofficeuk]

Rituals hanging around the Christmas Eve within the UK’s Panorama

Christmas is a time of festive cheer and dazzling lights and is a wonderful time to pack your bags and embark on a journey. A vacation on Christmas holiday with your loved ones is one of the most thrilling year end break for all of us. From traditional gatherings, exhilarating events to seasonal markets, Christmas feasts, and the best carol singing. Christmas is a cherished custom, thus the days leading up to the holiday are among the busiest of the year at airports, railway stations, and bus terminals as people travel to visit their loved ones. Many individuals decorate their homes with colourful lights and display various Christmas decorations, such as a wreath made of evergreen branches, in anticipation of Christmas. Most families also put up Christmas trees. Giving gifts is a major Christmas tradition. Gifts are bought or made for all people. The gifts are wrapped and placed under the Christmas tree to be opened on Christmas morning. Special Christmas songs, or carols, are sung and heard throughout the holiday season.

Christians celebrate Christmas as the birth date of Jesus Christ, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the foundation of their faith. Mary, a young teenager, was living in the hamlet of Nazareth and was betrothed to Joseph, a Jewish carpenter.

Christmas is celebrated with rich fervour across the globe in different communities, which are absorbed deep within the Christian faith. And in the UK, the Christmas Eve is one of the best times for celebrating Christmas Holidays for its denizens amidst celebrating eventful days and nights surrounded in the undertones of traditional rituals and superimposed by the new age cultures. 

Christmas is the time when denizens in the UK are ready for celebrating the Christmas Holidays. Very often, if not always, these holidays are lived around across the colourful stalls where your fertile imagination is impounded for once by the sight of gift selling stalls. God sent the angel Gabriel to visit Mary one day. The angel informed Mary that she would have a son via the power of the Holy Spirit. She would have this child and call him Jesus. Mary miraculously became pregnant while engaged to Joseph, just as the angel had predicted. Then, in a dream, God sent an angel to Joseph to corroborate Mary's account. She had conceived a kid via the power of the Holy Spirit.

The idea of relishing in the delectable meals may even seem godlier and often motivational. Families in London and counties of the UK indulge in the activities like Carol singing, visiting to churches and cathedrals to attend the masses and night outs in the city pubs. Households in the UK often have Christmas Eve parties with a unique kind of attainment. Meat pies and sherry is arranged for Santa Claus, while carrots are served in the basket for the reindeers, which drive the Santa Claus.

Implanting the Christmas Fir Tree is still one of the common rituals, and further beyond embellishing the tree with petite gifts eventually makes entire celebration better than ever.  On many occasions, the households in the UK get around decorating the Mistletoe, Ivy and the Holly. The popular event happening around in the Oxford Street of London goes further ahead and translates into making the whole event of Christmas far more enticing than otherwise. 

The UK and Christian communities living out there have interesting motivations, while they involve themselves in the Carol Services, or go out rightly for the Nativity Plays.  One of the most popular Christmas Carol Service is broadcast from Cambridge’s Chapel of King’s College and titled as “Nine Lessons” and this service has its own dignity and vox populi.

Christmas Celebrated by Children in the UK

The taste of celebrating Christmas especially with respect to the children in the UK comes with lot of excitement of different kind.  Gifts from the Santa would find entry in Stockings or the Pillow-cases, or there may be the time when parents would get through a secretive moment in time where the packaged gifts are placed underneath the children’s beds.

Children in return may even try out to go for offerings like the mince pies, which are served with exotic Brandy for Father Christmas. But in general, children make sure to offer the best of Christmas gifts, which truly have non-alcoholic nature. 

Christian Meals and the Openings for the Day

Christmas meals have a special taste and momentous appeal, and the timings for these meals is often quite mystic. Usually, the Christmas meals are arranged on the regular times of lunch, or these may even be organised before afternoon. Meals like Brussel Sprouts is one of the best giving around. Cranberry Sauce and Turkey are often the best treatments to look around.  And for the people of the UK, Wassailing is still an amazing activity with the Christianenlightenment. Children find the time for themselves to get into the Christian feel.

 Look for the Best Deals on the Christmas Flights

If you have made the plans for Christmas, and these plans are motivated by travelling to another country or nation, then you should immediately start searching for thecheap Christmas flight deals. These smart deals would help you in getting Christmas travel tickets on discounts, and in addition to reeling offers. In the end, let your Christmas Eve be a memorable event. Fly to exotic locations and relish in the Christmas holidays.

OTA are offering you a variety of budget friendly travel deals to some of the most happening destinations. Enjoy Christmas Eve with your family by traveling to your dream location and save big. Our massive range of captivating airfares gives you an opportunity to escape from your mundane routine and make tons of memories with family to cherish forever! OTA has put up an intriguing package of surprises for all travel wizards. Our attractive deals on low-cost Christmas flights will entice you to take a trip. We provide customized offers to satisfy all of your travel needs. We make your journey more enjoyable by offering low-cost air tickets and 24-hour customer support. If you run into any problems while travelling, our travel specialists will always be happy to assist you. 

The Fun and Excitement Surrounding Christmas is Next Level

And finally as you set yourself free for the Christmas party, make sure that everything is in the right place and format. You will need to make sure that the flight bookings are done in advance. Let the Christmas be your memorable day and you feel enchanted in the carol singing all the yuletide days and nights. And again, check the best flight deals for keeping your Christmas celebrations in budget.

[potsbever2024blogz]

Is it Mandatory to Have Motor Insurance for Leased Vehicles in the UAE?

Motor insurance plays a crucial role in ensuring safety and financial protection for vehicle owners in the UAE. The question of whether it’s mandatory to have motor insurance for leased vehicles in the UAE often arises, especially for those who lease cars as a convenient alternative to buying. In the UAE, like in many other parts of the world, motor insurance is not just a good-to-have; it is a legal requirement for all vehicle owners, including those who lease cars.

In this article, we will explore the rules and regulations surrounding motor insurance for leased vehicles in the UAE, the different types of coverage available, and why it’s essential to choose the right policy from a reputable motor insurance company in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or elsewhere in the country.

The Importance of Motor Insurance in the UAE

The UAE is known for its well-maintained roads and modern infrastructure, but like any country, it experiences its share of road accidents. To mitigate the financial risks associated with vehicle accidents, whether involving damage, injury, or even death, motor insurance is mandatory under UAE law. The government has made it clear that no vehicle—whether purchased outright or leased—can legally be driven on the roads without proper insurance coverage.

Legal Framework for Motor Insurance in the UAE

The UAE’s laws on motor insurance are governed by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and the UAE Insurance Authority. According to these regulations, every motorist must have third-party liability insurance as a minimum requirement. This coverage protects the policyholder from financial liabilities in case they cause an accident that results in damage to someone else’s vehicle or property, or if someone is injured.

For leased vehicles, the rules are no different. The leasing company typically requires the lessee to maintain comprehensive motor insurance for the duration of the lease. Comprehensive coverage not only includes third-party liabilities but also protects against damage to the leased vehicle, theft, fire, and other perils.

Is Motor Insurance Mandatory for Leased Vehicles?

Yes, it is absolutely mandatory to have motor insurance for leased vehicles in the UAE. Leasing companies have strict requirements when it comes to insuring their vehicles, as they retain ownership of the car while it is leased out to customers. Let’s explore why this is the case.

1. Legal Requirement

First and foremost, UAE law mandates that every vehicle on the road must have valid motor insurance. This rule applies to leased vehicles as well, which are typically registered in the name of the leasing company but driven by the lessee. Whether you’re driving a leased car or one you own, you cannot register or renew the vehicle registration without showing proof of motor insurance.

If caught driving without insurance, motorists can face severe penalties, including hefty fines, points on their license, and even impoundment of the vehicle. To avoid these legal consequences, it is essential to ensure that your leased vehicle is properly insured.

2. Leasing Company Requirements

In addition to legal requirements, leasing companies have their own policies regarding motor insurance. Since the leasing company still technically owns the vehicle, they have a vested interest in protecting their asset. As a result, they often require the lessee to obtain comprehensive insurance coverage, which offers a higher level of protection than the minimum third-party liability insurance.

Comprehensive insurance not only covers third-party damage but also provides coverage for damage to the leased vehicle itself, whether caused by an accident, theft, fire, or natural disasters. Leasing companies prefer comprehensive coverage to protect their vehicles and to ensure that any potential repair costs are covered in case of an accident.

Types of Motor Insurance for Leased Vehicles in the UAE

When leasing a vehicle in the UAE, you will typically be required to choose between different types of motor insurance policies, depending on the level of coverage you need and what the leasing company stipulates. The two most common types of motor insurance available are third-party liability insurance and comprehensive insurance.

1. Third-Party Liability Insurance

As mentioned earlier, third-party liability insurance is the minimum legal requirement for driving in the UAE. This type of insurance covers the cost of damage or injury that you may cause to someone else or their property while driving. However, it does not cover any damage to your own vehicle.

For leased vehicles, third-party liability insurance may not be sufficient, as leasing companies typically require more extensive coverage to protect their investment.

2. Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive insurance is the preferred option for leased vehicles. It offers a wider range of coverage compared to third-party liability insurance. With comprehensive insurance, you are not only protected against third-party damage, but also against damage to the leased vehicle itself, regardless of who is at fault in an accident.

Comprehensive insurance covers various scenarios, such as:

Accidents (whether you are at fault or not)

Theft of the vehicle

Fire or explosion

Natural disasters (floods, storms, etc.)

Vandalism

While comprehensive insurance is more expensive than third-party insurance, it offers peace of mind by providing a higher level of protection for both the driver and the leasing company. Given that most leasing companies in the UAE require comprehensive insurance, this is likely the type of policy you will need to acquire for your leased vehicle.

How to Choose the Best Motor Insurance in the UAE for Leased Vehicles

With numerous options available for motor insurance in the UAE, selecting the right policy for your leased vehicle can seem overwhelming. However, by following a few key steps, you can ensure that you choose a policy that offers the right balance of coverage, cost, and service.

1. Compare Insurance Providers

The UAE is home to many reputable motor insurance companies, each offering a range of policies tailored to different needs. When searching for the best motor insurance in UAE, it’s important to compare quotes from different providers to ensure you get the best value for your money. Many companies offer online tools that allow you to compare policies, coverage options, and prices, making it easier to find the right fit.

2. Consider Online Motor Insurance in Dubai

With the convenience of technology, many motorists in the UAE opt to purchase motor insurance online. Online motor insurance Dubai platforms offer a hassle-free way to browse and purchase policies, often with the added benefit of discounts or promotions. These platforms allow you to compare various insurance options, read customer reviews, and make informed decisions about the type of coverage you need for your leased vehicle.

When purchasing motor insurance online, be sure to select a policy that meets the requirements of your leasing company, including comprehensive coverage and any additional benefits you may need, such as roadside assistance or replacement car coverage.

3. Work with a Reputable Motor Insurance Company

Whether you are located in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or any other emirate, it’s essential to work with a reputable motor insurance company in Abu Dhabi or your local area. A reliable insurer will offer transparent policies, excellent customer service, and prompt claims processing, all of which are critical when insuring a leased vehicle.

Before selecting an insurance provider, consider factors such as their reputation, customer reviews, and the breadth of their coverage options. A well-established insurance company will ensure that your leasing agreement requirements are met, and they will be there to support you in case of an accident or other unforeseen event.

4. Read the Policy Terms Carefully

Before finalizing your motor insurance policy for a leased vehicle, it’s essential to read the policy terms and conditions carefully. Make sure you understand what is covered, what is excluded, and any additional costs you may incur. For example, some comprehensive policies may offer additional features like personal accident coverage or roadside assistance, which can provide extra peace of mind.

Additionally, check whether your policy includes coverage for loss or damage to the leased vehicle due to natural disasters, theft, or vandalism, as these factors are important when protecting the car you are leasing.

The Consequences of Not Having Motor Insurance for a Leased Vehicle

Failing to insure a leased vehicle in the UAE can have serious legal and financial consequences. Driving without motor insurance is a violation of UAE law, and motorists caught without valid insurance can face severe penalties.

These penalties may include:

Fines and penalties imposed by the authorities

Black points on your driving record

Confiscation of the vehicle

Legal liabilities in the event of an accident

Moreover, if you are involved in an accident while driving a leased vehicle without insurance, you may be held financially responsible for any damage to the vehicle, as well as any injuries or property damage caused. This can result in significant out-of-pocket costs, particularly for leased vehicles, where the leasing company will likely demand reimbursement for repairs or replacement of the car.

Conclusion

In the UAE, it is mandatory to have motor insurance for leased vehicles. Both the government and leasing companies require insurance coverage to protect drivers, pedestrians, and the leased vehicle itself. Whether you are leasing a car in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, or any other emirate, motor insurance is an essential component of the leasing process.

By understanding the different types of motor insurance available, including third-party liability and comprehensive coverage, you can ensure that you meet both legal and leasing company requirements. Additionally, by choosing the best motor insurance in UAE from a reputable provider, either online or through a local motor insurance company in Abu Dhabi, you can drive with confidence, knowing that you and your leased vehicle are fully protected.

Ultimately, securing the right motor insurance for your leased vehicle is not only a legal necessity but also a smart investment in your safety and financial security.

[infoblastadministrator]

Are You Required To Have Transport Tags When Shipping A Vehicle In The US?

Transport tags, also called temporary tags or transit plates, are temporary license plates used when a vehicle needs to be driven from one place to another but doesn’t have permanent registration yet. These tags are usually valid for a limited period, such as 30 to 90 days, giving the owner or transporter time to complete registration with the appropriate Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). They help law enforcement identify that the vehicle is legally in transit and not abandoned or stolen.

When Are Transport Tags Required?

Whether or not you need transport tags depends on how you plan to ship your car and the route it will take. Let’s look at the most common scenarios.

Driving the Vehicle Yourself or Using a Driver

If you, a friend, or a hired driver will drive the car to its destination, the vehicle must have a valid license plate. If it’s a newly purchased car that hasn’t been registered, you’ll need to get transport tags. Without them, driving the car on public roads can result in fines or impoundment by police.

Each state has its own rules for issuing transport tags. In some states, like Florida and California, you can get them from the DMV on the same day for a small fee, typically around $5 to $30.

Shipping a Vehicle on a Car Transport Truck

If your car is being shipped on a car transport truck, transport tags are usually not required. This is because the vehicle won’t be driven on public roads—it will stay on the truck throughout the journey. The trucking company takes responsibility for moving the vehicle safely, and the law typically does not require unregistered vehicles to have tags while in transit.

Car transport trucks are regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and must follow strict safety and licensing rules. The trucks are required to carry insurance, valid permits, and registration, but the vehicles they transport do not need additional tags.

Why Carriers Don’t Usually Require Transport Tags

Shipping companies prefer that customers provide registered vehicles, but it’s not mandatory in most cases. Here are a few reasons why:

Vehicles Are Not Operated on Public Roads. Since the car is loaded directly onto the transport truck and driven only on private property, it doesn’t need a license plate or transport tags.

Insurance Coverage Is Provided. The trucking company’s insurance policy usually covers damage or accidents during the trip, so a lack of tags does not increase liability.

Out-of-Service Cars Are Common. Some vehicles being shipped are inoperable or intended for repair, meaning they often lack proper registration or working plates.

It’s still good practice to let the transport company know if the vehicle is unregistered. Some companies may have specific procedures for unregistered cars, such as extra paperwork or additional fees.

Situations Where Transport Tags Might Be Needed for Shipping

While most car transport trucks don’t require tags, there are some exceptions where transport tags may be necessary:

Terminal-to-Terminal Shipping:

If you are responsible for dropping off or picking up the car from a shipping terminal, transport tags might be needed to legally drive the vehicle between the terminal and your home or the DMV.

International Shipments:

Some shipping companies require transport tags if the vehicle will be driven across borders before being loaded onto a truck or ship. This is especially true for international shipments involving Canada or Mexico.

State-Specific Rules:

Although it’s uncommon, some states might have special laws requiring transport tags if the vehicle’s final destination is within their jurisdiction. It’s always good to double-check with the carrier to avoid any surprises.

Key Statistics on Car Shipping in the US

15 million vehicles are shipped annually in the US, according to industry reports.

Most people spend $700 to $1,200 to ship a vehicle across the country, with costs varying by distance, route, and vehicle size.

Around 40% of car shipments involve vehicles that are inoperable or don’t have current registration.

The busiest months for car transport are May through September, as many people move during the summer.

How to Prepare for Vehicle Shipping

Even though transport tags are not typically required when using a car transport truck, there are still steps you can take to ensure a smooth shipping process:

Inspect Your Vehicle: Document any existing scratches or dents and take photos. This will help you if you need to file an insurance claim.

Remove Personal Items: Most carriers do not allow personal belongings inside the car during shipping for safety and insurance reasons.

Disable Alarms: If your car has an alarm system, make sure it’s turned off to avoid disruptions during transport.

Communicate with the Carrier: Inform the shipping company if the vehicle is inoperable or unregistered, so they can prepare accordingly.

In most cases, transport tags are not required when shipping a vehicle on a car transport truck. These tags are only necessary if the car will be driven on public roads before or after shipping, such as during a drop-off or pick-up from a terminal. Carriers typically handle unregistered vehicles without issue, but it’s always wise to ask your shipping company about their specific policies.