Lately I've noticed several cars and SUVs in my region using a sort of tinted plastic covering for the number plate. I find that it makes reading the number plate extremely difficult especially at twilight hours and night. I don't understand what is the purpose of this covering. It doesn't make the car look any prettier. Usually the plastic part is covered in dirt and grime which makes the number even more illegible unless you are really close to the car. The plastic also gives a sort of reflection at night to obscure the number plate. Makes me wonder if this stuff is even legal ?

 

In Texas, it is not. This sort of thing is going to depend on State law.

 

Tinted plastic license plate covers are not legal in California.

 

I think they are illegal in most states, I know they are in PA. I don't understand why people put them on, just another magnet / reason to get pulled over.

 

not legal in MN

 

As others stated its a state law thing, so it depends on the state. My company makes license plate frames and we always state on our packaging check your state and local laws before installing.

I think the reason people put the covers on is a combination of looks (everyone has different taste) and to protect the registration sticker from being stolen. It's not as common an issue as it used to be, but thieves would cut or peel the registration stickers off to put on expired plates. I don't personally care for the tinted covers either, but I'm ok with the clear ones.

 

I'm sure people buy them to avoid red light cameras and cameras at toll booths but as mentioned above in most states they are illegal.

 

Thanks guys. May be the Midwest will catch up with the rest of the world sometime in future .

 

Agreed. I saw an Ontario plate with a dark cover on it the other day. I couldn't believe it bc the Canadians are pretty strict I thought.

 

Yes, the VW TDI is in fact illegal. That driver should have their license taken away and the car impounded and crushed.

 

They're illegal here too, yet I probably see them almost everyday.

 

I got a ticket in here in Chicago 10 years ago for having one. They're illegal in IL

 

True. And maybe the cover was clear when he originally put it on there but the excessive exhaust emissions turned it back over time.

 

 

I've been running a plate cover ever since I had a car. Never as dark as the one in the pic (usually light tint or clear)... but it keeps the plate clean, blends it in with the car more, and protects the registration sticker (although as mentioned, not really a big deal anymore).

I have never been pulled over or ticketed for it.

 

The plates that are made to purposely obscure the number are purchased specifically to avoid red light cameras. The covers are generally marketed as being effective at specific angles known to be used by traffic cameras, while allowing unobscured vision of the plate from directly behind. Here's an example:

No More Red Light Camera Tickets. Make Your Car Invisible To Police Speed Cameras With Our License Plate Cover, PhotoBlocker Spray, Radar Detectors, GPS, GPS Camera Detectors. Got A Traffic Ticket? Don?t Pay Yet. We Can Help Fight Your Speeding Citat

They are illegal in Ohio, too, but regular plate covers are not so far as I know. I keep plate covers over my personalized plates so they don't become encrusted in dirt/salt/whatever.

 

Can't imagine they are legal in many places and a read a bit ago that the covers and spray don't prevent red light cams but that could have changed.

I, can't for the life of me, understand why people tint tails. The one thing saving your ass from being hit, you black out.

 

They're quite common here. As best I know, they're illegal but I've never had trouble with tinted ones.

I rock a clear cover on the Accord. Ontario plates have been having an issue with premature wear, and the province won't cover a replacement outside five years. I don't want to get new plates.

 

State by state laws

License Plate Cover Laws

 

Illegal in Cali, but shit, what isn't illegal out here.

 

It's illegal in every state AFAIK. The police don't really bother you for it though. If you got pulled over and they used the tinted plate cover as an excuse, you would've gotten pulled over for some other BS reason as the cop just wanted to pull you over.

 

I hope no one is doing it as a fashion statement.

 

It's illegal including any sort of object that obstructs any portion of the Tag.

Asshole cop pulled me over for "speeding". I was doing 54 in a 50MPH. A silver SUV blew by me (showed the cop on dash cam) he was doing the 73 in a 50MPH.

Cop comes back and gives me a $130 ticket for having a University of Florida Tag around my plate. F them.