california temporary operating permit question

[krazykarl]

I finally got my car from the builder on Wednesday the 27th of March. I have a temp operating permit that is posted that expires on the last day of March. On Friday the 29th (2 days later) I am headed down to the local DMV to get my new operating permit so I can now finish my SB-100 stuff when I get pulled over by my local Pasadena Police Dept. He informs me that I can not be driving my car and that the temporary permit only allows me to go to the mech or smog station. After he calls no less that 5 other officers to the scene and takes pictures of the offensive vehicle, he writes me 3 citations. One is for lack of proper registration and the other 2 are for fixable items such as exhaust system violations. I have never heard anyone saying that a temp operating permit is not usable for any daily driving. He even told me that since I have had it registered since December then I have just been out JOY-RIDING.
Someone out there know a police officer or are one and can give advice?