SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- A California Highway Patrol officer recently pulled over a motorist for driving around with a personalized license plate reading "BAY AREA." Once the officer took a closer look at the black plate with bright red writing, they determined that it was fake and did not originate from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The bogus license plate was homemade, according to the CHP Golden Gate Division. (Photo courtesy CHP Golden Gate Division) "Your license plate is not an arts crafts project. We’ve seen it all … license plate covers, painted or wrapped plates, even drivers swapping plates. But this one took it a step further. An officer assigned to our Commercial Operations Unit stopped this vehicle for having a fully printed, homemade license plate … complete with registration tabs," the CHP wrote. License plates must be issued by the DMV, clearly visible on a vehicle, and unaltered. "Any obstruction, modification, or unauthorized plate is a violation of California law," the CHP wrote. ...read more read less