Behind The Wheel: How Celebrities Navigate Car Ownership Laws

When celebrities own cars, it is a vastly different affair compared to us regular folk. The stories and cases behind these ownership stories often highlight something about the law that most people may not have known about. 

While most people may know that driving an unregistered vehicle is illegal, they may not know about the loophole that lets them drive cars without license plates, made famous by Steve Jobs.

So, buckle up and let’s wade into the murky and often interesting waters of celebrities owning things and see what kind of shenanigans they get up to and how they have to comply with the same laws that apply to you.

Steve Jobs Drove Without A License Plate

You don’t need an overenthusiastic cop to tell you that this is illegal. So, how did Jobs get away with it? The man behind the iconic trillion-dollar company was well-known for his love of minimalism, which was reflected in the lack of a license plate on his car. 

For years, he opted out of the black car service or a chauffeur to drive himself around in a Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG without any plates. At the time, California law allowed new cars to go without plates for up to six months. Jobs, being the very wealthy man he was, set up a leading agreement where he would get a new Mercedes every six months, never having to register it or get plates.

Jay Leno’s Collection

The former talk show host and comedian is well-known in and outside of the enthusiast world for his extensive car collection, which features more than 180 cars and 160 motorcycles. When you own that many vehicles, privacy and logistics get challenging.

For that reason, Leno has been known to register his cars under different entities to avoid unwanted attention and make his process efficient. 

Can you imagine trying to register all those cars under your own name? It would be a nightmare. This method helps Leno manage his huge collection while maintaining some mystery. Plus, it ensures that people can only guess about how many rare and exotic cars he has stashed away.

Paul Walker’s Posthumous Legal Woes

The now legendary actor and humanitarian Paul Walker was taken from us too soon and right after his departure, his estate was rocked by a legal battle. Walker was not just famous for acting in racing movies about cool cars, he owned and drove several in real life.

Over the course of his short-lived but impactful career, Paul amassed a collection of cars with his friend and business partner, Roger Rodas. 

Walker’s daughter, Meadow Walker, sued Rodas’ estate over the ownership of several vehicles. The case dragged on, showing just how complext resolutions can be when high-value collections are on the line and multiple parties are involves.

Owning rad car collections comes with its own legal challenges, and some of them could stick around long after you think you’re done with them.

Floyd Mayweather’s Tax Write-Offs

After wiping the floor with most people who dared step into the ring with him, Mayweather, also known as ‘Money’ to fans and friends, lives up to his nickname. He owns several multi-million dollar cars, including Bugattis, Ferraris, and Lamborghinis.

However, they are not just for show. Mayweather often deploys his prized collection to promotional events and media appearances, allowing him to write off part of their cost and maintenance as business expenses.

It’s a smart way to turn a luxury into a tax deduction. Savvy wealthy people do it all the time because they recognize something: it’s not just about the flash, it’s about making the most of what you have, even when that’s a fleet of million-dollar cars.

Stay ahead of the curve with the freshest news updates by exploring TodayFirstMagazine!