Pulled over for tinted license plate cover

[ghostRder1]

Drove around the city on many different streets after driving
around most of evening on our way home on the interstate we got pulled over, I was watching my speed and not speeding.
The cop said he heard reports of me all evening on his radio because of the tint plate cover, but somehow I missed being stopped. My license and registration checked out.
I got pulled over because I had a lightly tinted license plate cover, the police thought I was driving a stolen vehicle because of the tinted plate cover. He said I should pull over on the next exit to remove it, I explained to him I had no tools to do this.
He wasn't too happy but allow me to go.
I loved that tinted license plate cover and removed it as soon as I arrived home. My local police I'm sure have seen it many times but never said anything. I've seen other's with them as well.

[from Margaritaville...]

This is the main reason that I don't heed calls for more funding for law enforcement. If there's nothing of great importance to do, then they just start justifying their existence by hassling people for petty stuff that they would never dream of pulling anyone of consequence over for. This...is chief among the reasons people lose respect for law enforcement. I bet they're glad to get a menace like you off the streets. I know that I feel safer...

[antonym]

Tinted plates reduces visibility... Plates are really for cops to see... and to use info to check on the vehicle in question.. they are only doing their job... removing the tint on the plates allows them to check the car without stopping (and inconveniencing) you...

.. I know.. its a hassle.. when you are not allowed to do what you like with your car... but Cops are on your side.. if you are on the side of the law. Give them a break....

[ghostRder1]

Originally Posted by antonym

Tinted plates reduces visibility... Plates are really for cops to see... and to use info to check on the vehicle in question.. they are only doing their job... removing the tint on the plates allows them to check the car without stopping (and inconveniencing) you...

.. I know.. its a hassle.. when you are not allowed to do what you like with your car... but Cops are on your side.. if you are on the side of the law. Give them a break....

I agree 100% until then I never thought about the visibility..
But just never thought the tint plate cover would be a problem.

[squeebug]

There are also places where having licence plate covers colored or not or a frame that covers the state or registration stickers or anything of the like is illegal. So it's not they're just bored and feel like giving somebody a hard time, it's actually a law they are trying to enforce.

[ghostRder1]

Originally Posted by squeebug

There are also places where having licence plate covers colored or not or a frame that covers the state or registration stickers or anything of the like is illegal. So it's not they're just bored and feel like giving somebody a hard time, it's actually a law they are trying to enforce.

So true. I thought since I purchase it at local auto store
it would be legal, maybe it is legal in Ga, I don't know but now I understand the cops point of view.

[FallinApartBoy]

can we see a few shots of the plate with the cover? my mom (yes my mom) has front and rear tinted plates on ALL her vehicles. and 20% tinted windows. no one ever bothers her.

[xXRockyHorrorsXx]

F.t.p!

[ghostRder1]

Originally Posted by FallinApartBoy

can we see a few shots of the plate with the cover? my mom (yes my mom) has front and rear tinted plates on ALL her vehicles. and 20% tinted windows. no one ever bothers her.

I kept thinking I would take a picture but never did.
Glad your Mom never has any problems.

[antonym]

Originally Posted by ghostRder1

I agree 100% until then I never thought about the visibility..
But just never thought the tint plate cover would be a problem.

.... yeah.. you would be surprised how hard it is to see a plate even with a little tint when the car is driving... also.. it reduces the reflectivity in the plate making it harder to see at nights. I think some states also have laws about neon lights around the plates too.. similar effect.

...also .. stores sell things for profit... most don't care if Cops have a problem with it.

[loganskinner]

yea i actually got a 70$ ticket for a CLEAR plate cover on my truck. cop said that when his lights hit it, the reflection made it to where he couldnt see it at all, which i understand. paying $70 kinda sucks though.

[FineExampl]

i have a tinted front plate cover. i've never had an issue. Rear plate i keep 100% visible though. Just cuz. Cops can use it as an excuse to give you a lame ticket. I don't have time to get pulled over so i just lower the risk of it by having the tag visible.

[IchBinDarren]

It is technically illegal to put anything over your plate for obvious reasons, but I am suprised you got so much attention from all those cops. Personally I think they actually add more clutter to the car more than just a bare plate.

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by ghostRder1

So true. I thought since I purchase it at local auto store
it would be legal, maybe it is legal in Ga, I don't know but now I understand the cops point of view.

*most* of the upgrades carried at the local auto stores are technically illegal to use while driving.

All those little lights, shiny things, baubles, etc. (chuckle)

They are legal to have on your car if your in a car show, or if your car isn't driving down the street. But if you are driving, a lot of those things are just... well... not "legal" by law enforcement standards.

It's kind of sad, there are a number of things I'd LIKE to do to my car... but can't

[CoriBug]

I think it's kind of nice the cops are such sticklers on stuff like this. If my car got stolen(knocks on wood), I'd hope the police would want to find it. Besides, some of those covers are designed to hide the plate in case a red light/speeding camera gets ya and if you're doing that, you should pay up.

However, you should get a warning for the first time. Some people probably do it without meaning any harm like you!

Cori

[dasmurph]

I know it can be a hassle, but truly it's something I like to see happen. I pay to register my car every year and it ticks me off when I see people driving around expired tags. That's really the only reason they don't allow covers on the plates is so they can make sure your tags are up to date and can clearly see the plates.

As for the comment about not voting for law enforcement funding there is a difference between traffic officers and law officers in *most* cities. If it's your day to do traffic, then you do traffic (unless something major happens of course).

[CaptainXeroid]

I think the big problem is the sporadic enforcement.

I had 20% 'illegal' tint on the Jetta for 3 years (shameful I know ), and on my way to work I drove through Doraville, an ATL suburb known for anal and rude cops. I never got pulled over, while some peeps with 25-30% tint got frequent visits.

About 4 years ago, we did meet a cop who said Aphid's NewBeetle.org plate frame covered her registration sticker.

Anyway, if you didn't get a good driving award and took the tinted cover off, then I applaud you for heeding the cop's advice. A lot of people we all know would be hardheaded and get pulled over again by the same cop who wouldn't be as understanding.

[JuggBug]

Originally Posted by antonym

Tinted plates reduces visibility... Plates are really for cops to see... and to use info to check on the vehicle in question.. they are only doing their job... removing the tint on the plates allows them to check the car without stopping (and inconveniencing) you...

.. I know.. its a hassle.. when you are not allowed to do what you like with your car... but Cops are on your side.. if you are on the side of the law. Give them a break....

True! Baldy's a cop, I should know! On the other hand though, I've got about 40 different illegal things on JB and I just plain hide from the California Highway Patrol.

[from Margaritaville...]

Originally Posted by JuggBug

True! Baldy's a cop, I should know! On the other hand though, I've got about 40 different illegal things on JB and I just plain hide from the California Highway Patrol.

So what illegal things might you be hiding from the local constable???

[JuggBug]

Originally Posted by from Margaritaville...

So what illegal things might you be hiding from the local constable???

Oh Baldy knows all about 'em! He's actually one of those cops that doesn't give tickets for tint and crap like that because we have it on all of our cars.