Ticket? Or not?

[derekdevasia]

Okay guys! Here's a question! I live in the state of Virginia, and i have a license plate cover on my license plates. They are tinted from auto zone, so they just have a slight tint to them, nothing big at all. HOWEVER. Just today, i coated them with night shade, so they are like........black. You can't really see them much at all at night. I'M WONDERING, if i get pulled over for it, will they just issue me a ticket for improper equipment and then i can take it off, and they just dismiss the ticket? Or will i still get fined for having it on, even after i take it off?

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

In California that almost would be more then a fix it ticket due to you applying it in an attempt to elude the cameras.

 

[Thai]

For me, why take the risk??

 

[93toy]

For me, why take the risk??

This ^, what's the point? Getting ready to rob a bank?

 

[derekdevasia]

This ^, what's the point? Getting ready to rob a bank?

possibly.........

No, it just looks really good cause i have blue on black, and the license plate being white is just an eye sore

 

[Thai]

possibly.........

No, it just looks really good cause i have blue on black, and the license plate being white is just an eye sore

I don't like to do anything that will increase the risk of a cop stopping me...and then increase his/her irritation by intentionally disobeying the law....

 

[Lineman]

Agree with Thai. If you're asking, you're already questioned your integrity.... Bad Karma

 

[ant-ny]

its a ticket waiting to happen. save yourself the $100+ fine and get rid of it.

 

[JohnsD90]

License plate covers make the cars look much worse then the plate looks alone. Just take it off.

 

[Brunes]

I don't like to do anything that will increase the risk of a cop stopping me...and then increase his/her irritation by intentionally disobeying the law....

+1- Don't use the "It looks SOO much better" to justify breaking the law. Lots of things look better then the way they are now- but they are illegal for good reason.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Just today, i coated them with night shade, so they are like........black. You can't really see them much at all at night.QUOTE]

That's a problem right there and you'll get pulled over for that in any state.

 

[broncosi]

To answer your question though, it will essentially be a fix it ticket if not a warning. If you get a ticket you will get a small fine and a major court cost fee, you take it off, show the DA proof it's off and they will most likely drop everything.

 

[ant-ny]

^^^possibly, but why go through the trouble? in my opinion, just take the thing off and save yourself the almost certain a**ache.

 

[broncosi]

because he enjoys the look of it on his car. If he is willing to go through the headache of the possibility of getting pulled over for it then he must like it a lot. I have illegal tint on my car and have gotten one ticket for it. I've been pulled over with it multiple times and the officer never says a word about it. Depending on where you are, LEOs having bigger things to worry about, not to say you wont get cited for it but there's a good chance if you get pulled over, they won't bother to hassle you if you are polite and appear to be an upstanding citizen.

Take a picture so we can see the degree of tint on the plate.

 

[ant-ny]

this is true. you are correct. for me, i would not mess with it, but ultimately, the decision is his.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

It would have to be a pretty thick coating to keep the cops from being able to see it while in persuit, with lights on. Cameras are another story, but unless you really are planning on robbing a bank, I think it is unlikely for that to come up, but I could be wrong.
Here is St. Louis, I've found that "who" pulls you over is almost as important as "why" they pulled you over. I have been given some very unexpected leniency and also been ticketed for things that are questionable at best.
In the past, I never would have done anyting to "give them a reason" to pull me over. Now, that I really am an upstanding citizen, I'm not as concerned about getting puled over, but I am still polite and keep my attitude in check.
I could see the situation going a couple different ways, the cop could pull you over and make you remove it right there in front of them. They could also give you a ticket. In which case, I hardly think it is worth it.

My suggestions would be to
A) Get anohter cover and put a lighter coating on it
B) Instead of getting the one tinted black, try one tat is tinted blue and put a light coat of night shades on it to try and make it more Navy
C) Try to find a "specialty" plates that matches you car better (Kids First, Race for a Cure, Conservationalist, etc) That $25 fee is less than any ticket you'll get for the spray.
Good Luck

 

[terra4r]

As a fellow virginian, I'd get rid of it. The police are sh***y down here, but I'm guessing it's only going to be a problem if you get pulled over, and in that case, they usually dont look at your front plate.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Obscured License Plate


As a VA resident and a former law enforcement officer, I can tell you that you WOULD BE SUBJECT TO A SUMMONS for obscuring your license plate. Would I have written you for it? Not likely; but I would definitely use it as PC to perform a traffic stop to see what else might be askew with you or your vehicle.

Little things such as that often lead to DUI arrests, suspended licenses, outstanding warrants or other equipment violations. You never know.....and it often depends on the agency, your location (the 'hood, etc.) and the demeanor of the officer/deputy involved.

A ticket might cost you around $100 (fine + costs), so why run the risk? Same goes for the 'ricers' who drive around without a front license plate because they don't think it looks "cool" to have one.
:redbrick:

If you go to court, a judge MIGHT throw it out - but he might not. In that case, is it worth it to lose a day from work or burn a vacation day for a non-moving violation that is easily avoided in the first place?

Your call, sir.


P.S. As another posted stated, VA has literally hundreds of commemmorative or specialty license plates that come in various hues & shades -- one of which would make your car look outstanding without running afoul of the state's vehicle code (which is quite comprehensive) or incurring summonses as you drive around town.