PSA: Don't mess with Arizona...license plates
If you live in Arizona, you might want to take a run down to the garage and check your license plate, because as of January 1, a new law has been implemented that makes it illegal to cover the word "Arizona" on your tags.
The state legislature initially passed the law way back in 2006, but delayed its implementation until now. Fines for covering the state's name on a number plate will vary from city to city, but they're expected to average around $135 plus court fees. Many aftermarket license plate frames pose the risk of turning drivers into
Rest assured, this debate's not over, either. State Senator Jay Tibshraeny (R-Chandler) is working on legislation that would repeal the law. Tibshraeny points out that the fines are exorbitant (the no-seat-belt fine in AZ, by contrast, is a paltry $10), and he feels that the law will simply lead to more "pretext stops" by police officers. Thanks for the tip, Robby.
[Source: azcentral.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
why not the LS2LS7? 2:13PM (1/04/2009)
I think this is illegal in California too. No one seems to care. Of course, technically in California you're supposed to have a front plate too and yet 1/3rd of cars are missing it.
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pmiddle5 3:24PM (1/04/2009)
Why do I see tons of people driving without any license plate?! They just have dealer plates on them and Iam not talking about a small number of cars. Enough to where its a "wtf how do you now have a license plate?"
paul34 2:21PM (1/04/2009)
Well, I hate plate frames anyway, but then again, I'm in Florida and wouldn't push my personal preferences on people, even if my way obviously looks better ;-)
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moyoi 11:41AM (1/05/2009)
I whole-heartedly agree
Jeff 2:30PM (1/04/2009)
This is also the law in MA now, and you will fail inspection if your plate covers Massachusetts or the Spirt of America tagline.
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MKULTRABLIZZARD 9:18AM (1/05/2009)
NJ is the same. my friend was pulled over because 'The Garden State' was partially covered by a dealer installed bracket (which advertised the stealership he purchased the car from).
gearhead0384 2:34PM (1/04/2009)
What is this country coming too???
$135 for a plate frame covering the state name, were are entering tough times right now, I hope you have your check book ready!
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W. Kirk Crawford 2:38PM (1/04/2009)
Some truck bumpers don't allow full view of the license plate.
Who cares anyway?
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firstplace 2:40PM (1/04/2009)
This makes sense. People do cover up the plates and or even sandblast the color off. On the other hand I really think front plates are silly. If someone is going to do something they will take the plates off, and if its just speeding then the back plate is what the cop will see anyway. Its just silly. We should really go to a national drivers license and plate system. I usually am anti big government but think of the potential savings by having one federal entity instead of disorganized state based ones...
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Seanross 2:40PM (1/04/2009)
I hate front plate laws >.<
Supposedly the reason I got pulled over the other day (when in actuality the officer was just profiling), I was driving my mother's S-Class...
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Chris 5:48PM (1/04/2009)
In Alberta, we don't have to have front plates =D
Toledo Guy 7:43PM (1/04/2009)
Well.... . are you in a state that requires a front plate? Does your state allow primary stops for no front plate? Or did the officer tell you of another infraction that you've chosen not to tell us about? Were you cited? What for?
FWIW, I live within a few miles of the Michigan border, and spend most of my time in that state. Because I don't want to stand out, I don't have my Ohio front plate on. I've been pulled over for it. I'm white and the trooper was black. According to your rules that's profiling, right? and no, I wasn't driving my mommy's car.....
Jeff Johnson 2:45PM (1/04/2009)
Anyone else see this as an example of the way the country is crumbling? Tell me what function this law has besides putting more money into the governments pocket? It's not a safety issue, and if an officer can't recognize his own state's license plate, should he really be an officer?
Besides putting more money in the pockets of the state, this and other laws like it are the "feel good" laws that do nothing politicians dream up just to be able to say they did something.
This, red light cameras that actually increase traffic and accidents, front plate laws, are all examples of just how much red tape the government imposes on itself and us
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Fyrewerx 3:33PM (1/04/2009)
Its easy for officers to not recognize their own states plate, let alone other states with multiple specialty tags. Florida, where the fine starts at $70, has 111 specialty tags. See them at:
http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/specialtytags/
Some specialty tags, like the one for the Florida panther and Challenger space shuttle, have actually changed the design a few times.
why not the LS2LS7? 4:10PM (1/04/2009)
I don't think this (the license plate thing) is a very big revenue generator. I cannot figure out why this kind of thing is necessary.
firstplace 2:59PM (1/04/2009)
agree with the red light cam comments but some states have 25 or more specialty plates available...it can be hard to know where someone is from. How about eliminating the plate all togeather and having a RFID like an EZPASS. Random people couldent get your plate number...no front or rear plate...
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Jeff Johnson 3:11PM (1/04/2009)
RFID isn't secure and if we went to a system like that... you could tamper with it all day long. That, and there is something useful about plates in respect of if you see a car fleeing a crime scene, you get a look at the car but remembering the plate number is key and helps solve a lot of crimes.
Tim 3:29PM (1/04/2009)
One of the reasons license plates are visible on cars, and don't need an RFID reader is so that the general public can "get" a car's license plate. This comes in handy with robberies, stolen cars, etc.
firstplace 3:21PM (1/04/2009)
true, but your license plate is pretty easy to take off and swap... most people have to look at the car to remember there plate number... Its pretty easy to tamper with a sign ( all a plate really is).
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Poppe 3:28PM (1/04/2009)
This is a law in Texas as well. I got pulled over once for it, but I later found out that there was 4 person shooting in my town and the suspects were fleeing. The mayor had put my town on a curfew for the night while they had a man hunt.
I'm not sure why this is a law, but it seems like another reason to get pulled over if you have it covered.
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