Plastic License Plate Sheilds / Covers ?

[TurboJunky]

Now I'm really curious if anyone will fess up to having one of these clear or smoked dark plastic license plate covers over their rear state registration plate.

If so, why? I'd like specific reasons for this. If and when I get some replies I'll explain why I'm asking.

 

[MoosieTR54]

over here they have cameras at the certain intersections, so when u run the red they take a pic of ur back plate and send u a ticket....with one of those covers, its unreadable from an angle.

 

[TurboJunky]

So I can only assume they're against the law there thus the police stop the violators they can that have those covers?

 

[Shane]

TT/A1233 you're a cop, right?

Cheese it! It's the fuzz!

 

[87gninpa]

here in pa we have the option of having black DARE license plates, which look really cool on the GN. But i also have a dark tinted cover over it for two reasons----one is because of all the cameras at the intersections and the other is for all the ez-pass tolls that i blow through without actually having ez-pass(havent been caught yet---knock on wood) so why are you asking????

 

[Shane]

Yeah, I drove to Philly to buy my old 83 T-Type. The DARE Plate did look really cool on there, but not as cool as the Blue Michigan Plate.

Nothing says Muscle Car more than the Blue Michigan Plate.

 

[GotBoost?]

I have a smoked cover over my rear plate, and a clear cover over my front 'turbo 6' plate.

I have the front cover to protect the plate. The rear is smoked because it looks cool.

 

[Boston GN]

I plan on clear ones for my GN for one reason. That is to protect my custom tags, that's it. I don't want the paint all chipped on them etc etc and then have to redo them. I can keep them nice in the clear plastic and they're cheap enough.

 

[MoosieTR54]

actually they really arent illegal here.....unless u get pulled over for something else and the cop is an a**......

 

[gofstbuick]

Interesting topic. Made me look in the vehicle code book for CA. VC5201.e.2.f reads: No casing, shield, frame,border or other device that obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by a remote emissions sensing device shall be installed on or affixed to a vehicle.
This is very specific, as it does not address the topic of red light cameras, but does address a device that is not yet in use in CA. I even looked in the section pertaining to red light cameras and no mention is made with regards to obstructing the view of the license plate.

 

[TurboJunky]

Well, I was asking for several reasons:
- Purpose?
- Does the average person know it's illegal?
- Should they be warned or ticketed?

Yes, me and a few others on this board are cops.

I have to ask, how will a plastic cover protect a rear facing plate from debris? I've had uncovered license plates for 20+ years and in fact STILL use my original one from 1985.

So far I've seen two reasons; to keep it from being read by cameras, cool looks and to keep it protected.

My take is that not only do the police need to clearly read your registration so do; pedestrians, other motorists, merchants, GAS STATION ATTENDANTS and anyone who comes in contact with automobiles.

We don't have traffic cameras here nor do we require front plates and the rear ones don't get damaged (unless you back into something and a plastic cover isn't going to help).

Other cops on this board wanna jump in and give their insight? I'm just looking for opinions and perspective.

 

[galoush]

Hows about EX Cops ? NYPD 5 yrs . I ve got a tinted plate cover on my car goes with the VHT nightshade sprayed tail lights , along with the Dark tinted windows . If someone was acting like a real jackA$$ i could see bangem with a ticket "Package " deal but otherwise i dont think it a real major thing . Besides i always switch plates before a caper anyway I think the blacked out look is meaner IMO

 

[FlyinGN]

the PA collector vehicle tags look even BETTER then the Dare tags.. black with yellow letters like the old Calfornia tags..

Originally posted by 87gninpa
here in pa we have the option of having black DARE license plates, which look really cool on the GN. But i also have a dark tinted cover over it for two reasons----one is because of all the cameras at the intersections and the other is for all the ez-pass tolls that i blow through without actually having ez-pass(havent been caught yet---knock on wood) so why are you asking????

 

[GotBoost?]

I responded that I have smoked covers, and I've been a police officer for the last ten years. I'm not sure if covers affect having the plates read by others or not. Most people could probably see a plate right in front of their noses, and still mess them up when reporting them.

The only time it upsets me is when I see a DUI offender plate covered with a red or dark cover to hide it. We have white plates in OH, but DUI offenders are receiving orange plates.

Although I'm no longer on the 'road', I only wrote this ticket for an attitude adjuster. (Before anyone says that this is abusing authority, most people would have layed a whoopen' to those I wrote)

 

[RAMAIR1]

Originally posted by TT/A1233
Other cops on this board wanna jump in and give their insight? I'm just looking for opinions and perspective.

If I can't read the plate due to a tinted cover when I'm travelling behind a car, they get stopped. I ask the driver if he/she is trying to hide something by not letting me read their plate, which is usually followed by some lame attempt at ...."Ohhhh, it's illegal to have them?" Which is usually followed by a freindly warning (after a warrant check of course). Unless they are the type of person who needs a "package," in which case i aim to please.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Re: Re: Plastic License Plate Sheilds / Covers ?

Originally posted by AsphaltAnihil8r
I plan on getting one so those doughnut eatin pi@# cant see it

Hmmnn... Who did you call when your car was stolen, Scooby????

 

[V6UnderPressure]

Re: Re: Re: Plastic License Plate Sheilds / Covers ?

Originally posted by Chuck Leeper
Hmmnn... Who did you call when your car was stolen, Scooby????

Oh yeah, I called them, took them two months to find it and it was stripped to the bone. Go cops!

P.S. Why are most of em Fat? Can you say DOH! NUTS!

Scott

What do you say to a cop when he asks you if you have been drinking because your eyes look read? You say "Have you been eating donuts? Your eyes are glazed."

 

[Boston GN]

Originally posted by TT/A1233

I have to ask, how will a plastic cover protect a rear facing plate from debris?

Here in MA we are required to have a front plate also, hence my reason for "protection."

 

[TurboJunky]

Originally posted by Boston Boy
Here in MA we are required to have a front plate also, hence my reason for "protection."

Right, I can understand a flat, clear cover over the front for protection but over the rear?

Thanks for the input guys...even AsphaltAnihil8r.

Apparently he thinks all cops need to be everywhere to protect everything and should never eat on duty. He's forgotten it's still a free country and people can and will steal anything not fastened down. Them's the breaks bro....happens all the time in America. Perhaps if we adoped "caning" like in Singapore we'd see less of that type of activity. But we're "kinder and gentler" over here.

AsphaltAnihil8r I suggest you ride a few times with the police agency of your choice and see things through their eyes. Might give you a different perspective.

 

[U1ARUNIT]

I have lightly smoked covers over all my cars' plates. Always have. Heck even my father has used them for years. I don't run red lights, toll booths, speed traps, DUI check points, or anything like that though. I just think they make the car look better.