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A car meet is an informal gathering where car enthusiasts park together to show their cars, look at others and hang out. It's usually free, held in a parking lot with the owner's permission, and has no judging or prizes. Car meets are legal. Street takeovers, where drivers block a road to do donuts in front of a crowd, are not, and that's the line that matters.
Types of car meets
- Cars and Coffee: early weekend mornings, coffee in hand, every kind of car. See what is Cars and Coffee?
- Night meets: evening gatherings, often in a big retail lot. Popular with younger drivers and import and tuner crowds.
- Club meets: run by a club for one make or style (Mustang, Corvette, Jeep, Miata, JDM, trucks).
- Car shows: organized events with registration, classes, judging and trophies.
- Swap meets: sellers bring parts, tools and sometimes whole cars for sale or trade. The Pomona Swap Meet in California is one of the best known.
What is a street takeover?
A street takeover, also called a sideshow, is when a group of drivers blocks an intersection, highway or parking lot and performs donuts, drifts and burnouts while a crowd stands around them, often filming. They’re organized on social media, move fast and are illegal. Spectators and drivers have been injured and killed.
States are cracking down. California law uses "street takeover" as another name for a sideshow. Laws passed there in 2024 let police impound cars used in takeovers, including in some cases spectators' cars, and cover stunts in parking lots as well as on streets. In 2026 California lawmakers were considering AB 1588, which would raise penalties for repeat offenders and for drivers who injure spectators. Many cities also fine or charge people just for watching.
Car meet vs. street takeover vs. teen takeover
| Car meet | Street takeover | Teen takeover | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Parked cars and conversation | Stunt driving in a blocked road or lot | Large teen gathering called on social media |
| Legal? | Yes, with the property owner's OK | No | Gathering is legal; curfews and conduct laws apply |
| Who's in charge | A host, club or business | Nobody | Usually nobody |
| Typical time | Weekend mornings or evenings | Late night | Afternoons and evenings, often weekends |
More on the last one in what is a teen takeover?
How not to get a car meet shut down
- No burnouts, donuts or launches, coming or going. One video of someone sliding out of the lot can end a meet for good.
- Keep the music and revving down. Noise complaints are the other top reason meets lose a location. It's what ended the original California gatherings that became Cars and Coffee.
- Respect the host. Buy something, park where they ask and leave on time.
- Leave nothing behind. Trash and tire marks get noticed.
- If it turns into a takeover, leave. Spectators can be fined, cited or have their own car impounded in some places.
How to find a car meet near you
- Search "car meet today" or "car meet near me", then check Facebook events and local car-club pages.
- Look for recurring ones. A monthly Cars and Coffee or club night is easier to get to know people at than a one-off.
- Ask at local shops: detailers, tuners, tire shops and dealerships usually know who's hosting.
- Go alone if you want. Plenty of people do. Pick a car you like and ask the owner about it.
"LS Car Meet" and "FH6 car meet": the video game ones
If you searched "LS Car Meet," that's the car club hub in GTA Online, where players meet, test-ride cars and race. Searches for "car meet FH6" are about Forza Horizon 6, whose Japan setting has players recreating famous real-world spots such as the Daikoku parking area meet in Yokohama.
Common questions
What is a car meet?
A car meet is an informal, usually free gathering where car enthusiasts park together to show their cars and hang out, typically in a parking lot with the owner's permission.
Are car meets legal?
Yes. Car meets are legal when held with the property owner's permission and without stunt driving. Burnouts, donuts and racing can lead to citations or arrests.
What is a street takeover?
A street takeover, or sideshow, is when drivers block a road or lot to perform donuts and drifts in front of a crowd. It is illegal, and some states let police impound vehicles involved, including spectators' cars in some cases.
What is the difference between a car meet and Cars and Coffee?
Cars and Coffee is a type of car meet: an early weekend-morning gathering with coffee. Car meet is the broader term and includes evening and club meets.
What is LS Car Meet?
LS Car Meet is the car club hub in GTA Online where players meet, test-ride cars and race. It is a video game location, not a real event.