[thenewrick]

Ya, that isn't too bad. I've seen many that were so dark you couldn't see any of the digits though.

My old, and still totally awesome, plate:

[Meeni]

putting a tint over your plate had zero chances of being legal. It is unfortunate that you got fined instead of warned, but you were playing with fire.

[kfriceman]

I will not add anything to my car that gives any law enforcement agency a reason to pull me over. Who needs the hassle, I read so many threads about folks getting pulled over for tinted this, blacked out that, colored lights out of DOT compliance, etc.

All you do is make yourself a target and you have no leg to stand on and bitching about will never make a difference. Bottom line, all it does is draw unwanted attention.

-Kevin

[melloww22]

Cops right. There is actually a law here in Cali. If you have a border your fine unless it covers your sticker. If you have a cover, it must be a clear transparent one... And yes visible @ 60 feet.

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by Meeni

putting a tint over your plate had zero chances of being legal. It is unfortunate that you got fined instead of warned, but you were playing with fire.

I actually didn't get fined. He let me off, which was nice enough, but I haven't removed it and don't plan on it. I'm a rebel!

[VTECaddict]

Originally Posted by techietaichi

I actually didn't get fined. He let me off, which was nice enough, but I haven't removed it and don't plan on it. I'm a rebel!

Well then we better not see another thread if you get a real ticket next time...

[racermp]

Law passed in Texas a few years ago, if you have a cover that covers any wording on the plate, its gots to goooo. States are probably adopting it

[Thrakos]

Originally Posted by techietaichi

Sorry bout the gigantic pics...

and my new plates w/smoked cover. As you can see, the entire plate is exposed, no frame that obscures anything. Damn, can I get some points for that?!

I would go to court with those pictures... it is still clearly legible (given the very light tint of the cover), and again, the state law doesn't say anything about being visible from 60 feet (that I could find).

At least have your day in court and then let the Judge decide (50/50 shot!)

[ChasVS]

It's all about the speed and red light cameras! They can't get a good picture of your plate at night if a flash goes off and reflects off the cover. It isn't about safety, it's about money!

[techietaichi]

Originally Posted by ChasVS

It's all about the speed and red light cameras! They can't get a good picture of your plate at night if a flash goes off and reflects off the cover. It isn't about safety, it's about money!

DING, DING, DING, DING, DING! WE HAVE A WINNAH!
And that's exactly my point. Revenue, plain and simple. Thank you Chas.

[ken1137]

Illegal here but I dont know of anyone getting pulled over for this infraction. I was pulled over for a coating (Stealth Veil coating - delays laser feedback) on my plate which is legal. Cop even said, after he pulled me over for the 2nd time in two days, "I guess you found a loop hole in the Law". Yep, cops in my Village and area should do time in the ghetto just for the experience.

[e90inAZ]

Come on down to Arizona! You can keep your money and guns (although, I believe lic plate covers are illegal here too)!

[ChipB]

Here's the wording of the MA law, 540 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 2.23:

"2.23: Display of Reflectorized License Plates

(1) On or after August 1, 1969, no reflectorized number plate issued by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and mounted on any motor vehicle or trailer shall be covered with any glass, plastic or similar material if such material reduces the legibility or substantially diminishes the reflective qualities of such plate.

(2) Any such number plate covered with any glass, plastic or similar material which reduces the legibility or substantially diminished the reflective qualities of such plate shall be deemed not to be maintained in good order, and in violation of the provision of said M.G.L. c. 90.

(3) Nothing contained in 540 CMR 2.00 shall be construed to prohibit the use of any metal or other frame covering, the border of any such reflectorized number plate so long as such frame does not cover or obscure in any manner the register number or any other words, symbols or numbers lawfully imprinted on or affixed to such number plate."

The term "reduces legibility or substantially diminished the refective qualities" is what gets you - it's highly subjective, and as others have said I suspect that many cops simply assume that any cover is a violation because it could become scratched. Might be interesting to fight this in court, but I give you less than 10% chance of winning. Just get rid of teh silly cover (which IMHO usually look like sh*t anyways).

[SharkBait]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

Well then we better not see another thread if you get a real ticket next time...

This. There's really only one reason people put these covers on and cops know it. Keep it on there and it will happen again.

That said, the REAL crime here is having a license plate that has "SHNELL" written on it.

[srcstc]

They're illegal. You should be happy he didn't give you a ticket, not bitchin about it.

[upstatedoc]

People need to read their states' vehicle and traffic laws.

That being said, I've rolled with "laser shields" on my front plate for years knowing full well they were illegal. That is, until I went through a NYS Police road block a while back and the trooper kindly reminded me that it was illegal, so I removed it.

[E91 Hoarder]

Originally Posted by ken1137

Illegal here but I dont know of anyone getting pulled over for this infraction. I was pulled over for a coating (Stealth Veil coating - delays laser feedback) on my plate which is legal. Cop even said, after he pulled me over for the 2nd time in two days, "I guess you found a loop hole in the Law". Yep, cops in my Village and area should do time in the ghetto just for the experience.

How does Veil working out for you? Some say it bs, but does it really help and worth the money?

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by BMWTF?

How does Veil working out for you? Some say it bs, but does it really help and worth the money?

Yes, it works. I encountered a cop with a laser gun last year before I mounted my LI Laser jammer. I slowed down and by the time I passed him he was looking at his gun scratching his head. It is really inexpensive considering the cost of a radar detector and jammer. I have all three The villages and cities around me are trying to obtain more revenue with tickets. Cops are all over the place so I'd rather play it safe. I also put the coating on the wife's MDX which she uses with the escort 9500ix

[bahasad]

My dad got pulled over driving my old E36 which had license plate covers. Luckily we just got a warning. Nonetheless, I took em off, and in retrospect, I think they sort of look tacky

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by ChipB

Here's the wording of the MA law, 540 Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) 2.23:

"2.23: Display of Reflectorized License Plates

(1) On or after August 1, 1969, no reflectorized number plate issued by the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and mounted on any motor vehicle or trailer shall be covered with any glass, plastic or similar material if such material reduces the legibility or substantially diminishes the reflective qualities of such plate.

(2) Any such number plate covered with any glass, plastic or similar material which reduces the legibility or substantially diminished the reflective qualities of such plate shall be deemed not to be maintained in good order, and in violation of the provision of said M.G.L. c. 90.

(3) Nothing contained in 540 CMR 2.00 shall be construed to prohibit the use of any metal or other frame covering, the border of any such reflectorized number plate so long as such frame does not cover or obscure in any manner the register number or any other words, symbols or numbers lawfully imprinted on or affixed to such number plate."

The term "reduces legibility or substantially diminished the refective qualities" is what gets you - it's highly subjective, and as others have said I suspect that many cops simply assume that any cover is a violation because it could become scratched. Might be interesting to fight this in court, but I give you less than 10% chance of winning. Just get rid of teh silly cover (which IMHO usually look like sh*t anyways).

Exactly. It's not so much that the view of the plate is obscured or even that the cover is tinted/scratched. It's the fact that there will be glare off of the cover at night no matter the condition or tint. While red light cams are one thing, the main reasoning is officers not being able to make out what the number is during a pursuit or stop.

If you're worried about red lights cams or the like, just spray your tags with clear matte paint. Depending on the reflectivity of the plates (actually the size of the reflective flakes) it will be virtually unreadable, but perfectly visible during the day. Don't ask me how I know this as fact, but I had a lot of experience in my youth with stop signs and "hidden messages".

[upstatedoc]

Originally Posted by BMWTF?

How does Veil working out for you? Some say it bs, but does it really help and worth the money?

Veil does nothing to protect your vehicle by itself. It has been tested numerous times and is a fact. It is meant to be used in conjunction with RD, jammers, etc.

[E91 Hoarder]

Originally Posted by upstatedoc

Veil does nothing to protect your vehicle by itself. It has been tested numerous times and is a fact. It is meant to be used in conjunction with RD, jammers, etc.

Yep, got them all: V1 and quad-LI