Rear license plate visibility.

R

rblt

New member
I heard on the radio today that police will issue $250 fine for rear license plate blocked by bike rack. About to head out of town with bikes on a Yakima hitch mounted rack. I could zip tie the plate on rear most bike but then thought maybe mount it below hitch. Plate would be visible below bikes and ground clearance wouldn't be an issue as we are not going off road this trip.

Lots of ingenious folks on this forum, would like to hear if anyone has relocated rear plate for this visibility requirement, and if so how/where.

I don't want to attach it to the rear window in case I want to open it.
 
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Thing about moving the plate is then technically they can pull you over for having no license plate light. Even in the daytime. If a cop wants to harass you, he will find a way.

I used to relocate my plate when I had my dirt bike in a hitch rack though and never got bothered. I would say just zip tie it where ever it's most visible.

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Just get a set of cheap trailer lights that have one with a lighted license plate holder. Attach to your rack and plug into trailer light receptacle.

It’s what I use on my rear fishin’ rod/cooler rack.
 

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That’s some petty crap. I’m yet to hear if a crime being committed while a bike rack intentionally obscured a license plate. Geeeeeez.

An officer can also write you for improper display of registration if he doesn’t approve of the way it’s displayed.


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rblt said:
I heard on the radio today that police will issue $250 fine for rear license plate blocked by bike rack. About to head out of town with bikes on a Yakima hitch mounted rack. I could zip tie the plate on rear most bike but then thought maybe mount it below hitch. Plate would be visible below bikes and ground clearance wouldn't be an issue as we are not going off road this trip.

Lots of ingenious folks on this forum, would like to hear if anyone has relocated rear plate for this visibility requirement, and if so how/where.

I don't want to attach it to the rear window in case I want to open it.
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I have seen people who write it on a piece of paper and tape it to their back window/wherever it can be read easily. Leave the license plate where it should be but supplement it with large easy to read text somewhere an officer could check your plate. If pulled over, it would be much better than having a completely hidden plate.
 
that sucks, will DMV issue you an additional plate?

Otherwise Ive has success with velcro
 
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They want it for the cameras!.......they can pull you over and check the plate if they really need to see it but they want to be able to use their cams and plate readers to track you, monitor you and mail you automated tolls and tickets. Money grubbing revenuers....that's what most ''Policing'' has devolved into IMO.:bash:
 
83Mule said:
They want it for the cameras!.......they can pull you over and check the plate if they really need to see it but they want to be able to use their cams and plate readers to track you, monitor you and mail you automated tolls and tickets. Money grubbing revenuers....that's what most ''Policing'' has devolved into IMO.:bash:
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Well in that case just use one of these... :lol:

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That's ridiculous.

Here in Utah:

(5) The provisions of (this law mandating plates must not be obstructed) do not apply to a license plate that is obscured exclusively by one or more of the following devices or by the cargo the device is carrying, if the device is installed according to manufacturer specifications or generally accepted installation practices:
(a) a trailer hitch;
(b) a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier;
(c) a trailer being towed by the vehicle;
(d) a bicycle rack, ski rack, or luggage rack; or
(e) a similar cargo carrying device.
Click to expand...

This is how it should be done.
 
What if you were pulling a trailer? That could easily block the entirety of your rig from view.

From my experience, and I've had bikes on hitch racks for... at least 30k miles, I've never had an issue. That includes a few trips to Whistler and all over the western US.
 
I've also wondered how much of a problem this is. I've only had my hitch rack for a month or so and no problems on a couple long road trips...

1UP USA sells a nice looking (but $$$) plate holder and LED light add-on for their racks but I don't run my hitch rack full time, and it's not really practical to move my plate back and forth between the hatch and the rack a couple times a week.

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/led-light-bar-plate-holder-2/

They do also have a cheaper one with no lights:

https://www.1up-usa.com/product/license-plate-holder-2/
 
I've lost plates from both my trailers and driven them over 1000 miles home with only a laminated computer printed license tag indicating lost tag and the license number. I've done this twice without ever being stopped.

If you have a good driving record, maybe do nothing until stopped/warned or consider hanging a laminated copy of your license tag visibly on whatever is blocking it. Law enforcement usually aren't looking to bother people who aren't making trouble.
 
MossJenks said:
Here in the US most states require a plate for the trailer.
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True - we have trailer plates as well, and while it identifies the registered owner of the trailer, it obviously doesn't identify the tow vehicle as the trailer could be borrowed/rented, etc.

I understand the requirement for plate visibility for toll/speed/red-light cameras, but given the government's encouragement for people to get out and exercise as a healthier society reduces health care costs, etc., it's counterproductive to restrict the ability to carry your bikes on the back of your vehicle to get out to the riding trails.

Certainly can look at relocating the plate when the rack is on and relocating it back when rack removed, but that could become tedious and add the risk forgetting to re-install the plate whilst unpacking after a trip, etc.

Perhaps some form of RFID tag such as those used for tolling would provide a backup identification for speed/red-light cameras and even the plate scanners on police vehicles. The RFID tag could be optional, and if a person chooses not to have the RFID tag, then they would be expected to ensure their license plate was visible.
 
Eh. I plan on using a motorcycle hitch carrier for the first time within the next week or so. Good thing the 4Runner is fast enough to outrun the cops...
 
The only way you will get a ticket for that will be from a traffic enforcement cop or if you are being a d!ck. This type of law just gives probable cause to cops looking to take bad guys to jail.
 
Easyrider18 said:
The only way you will get a ticket for that will be from a traffic enforcement cop or if you are being a d!ck. This type of law just gives probable cause to cops looking to take bad guys to jail.
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Correct. Be weary of Motormen. Most cops even hate them. They're mostly dicks who think giving tickets is God's work. Many of them don't run people's licenses for outstanding warrants, don't run passenger's names for warrants and aren't interested in finding drugs or guns. It's all about the ticket.
 
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