PINEVILLE, La. (WNTZ) – A weekend traffic stop turned into an unusual case of DIY gone wrong when Pineville police encountered a vehicle sporting a homemade license plate crafted from photo paper.

According to the Pineville Police Department, the driver had attempted to pass off a printed license plate—reportedly made using premium photo paper purchased from a local Walgreens—as a legitimate tag affixed to their vehicle.

Officers described the incident as a “Pinterest fail,” noting that while the effort was creative, it was far from legal.

“We appreciate the glossy finish and the arts-and-crafts spirit,” PPD stated in a social media post. “But license plates aren’t a DIY project.”

The driver was issued a citation for multiple violations related to the fake plate. Police reminded the public that only state-issued license plates are valid and that attempting to fabricate or display a counterfeit plate is a criminal offense.

“Let’s keep the creativity on the fridge—not on the highway,” the department added.