License plate covers - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

NJ346 · 10-01-2009, 09:08 PM

*Long story alert*

ok, so on Saturday I was given a license plate cover(clear) that has a slight tint to it and decided to put it on. I got pulled over Sunday night for speeding, got away with a warning, and nothing said about a tinted license plate cover. So fast forward to today: I'm leaving school and got lazy at shifting and bring first gear out to about 3500 rpm(not travelling all that fast with 4.11s), and end up getting tailgated all the way to my house by a cop who was radioed by the crossing guard at my school about the way I left school. So i get home, cop waits at the edge of my driveway, and has a "friendly talk" with me. He points out that I have no license plate up front, and that I have an "unclear" plate in the back. To make a long story short, the license plate is still perfectly visible. What are the laws regarding license plate covers that don't cover up "garden state" or anything like that? The cop is a class II special and known to be a ball buster, so was he just busting my balls about the back plate or is it really illegal to have a cover over it?

LTb1ow · 10-01-2009, 09:21 PM

Aha... crossing guard... ahahaha.... kids....

NJ346 · 10-01-2009, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTs1ow

Aha... crossing guard... ahahaha.... kids....

tell me about it. The ones in my town are some of the most retarded people I have even seen in my life, and then on top of it, the police decide to give them 2 way radios to make them seem important.

Mike · 10-01-2009, 09:47 PM

its illegal to cover it

thunder · 10-01-2009, 09:57 PM

ya any kind of cover is ilegal. even some off the frames dealerships put on

NJ346 · 10-01-2009, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrrmike

its illegal to cover it

ok, I decided to take it off after I made the post anyway. But if it's illegal to cover it, then why do they sell them in stores though?

Mike · 10-01-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJNETSFAN

ok, I decided to take it off after I made the post anyway. But if it's illegal to cover it, then why do they sell them in stores though?

same reason you can buy aftermarket taillights, headers, cat-delete pipes, extremely loud stereos, and tint?

"off road use only"

maroman88 · 10-01-2009, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrrmike

same reason you can buy aftermarket taillights, headers, cat-delete pipes, extremely loud stereos, and tint?

"off road use only"

dingdingding lol

gotmudnj · 10-02-2009, 03:12 AM

i once got a ticket because my beater truck had its licence plate on back not tight enought so it flapped in wind and got a ticket for unclear licence plate....sucks...

sweetbmxrider · 10-02-2009, 08:28 AM

derrrrrrrrr

MonmouthCtyAntz · 10-02-2009, 08:32 AM

I had a clear one on my old 95 firebird and was pulled over for it...from what I believe you cant have any cover on it.

Blacdout96 · 10-02-2009, 08:39 AM

First time I was ever pulled over was at a seat belt check. the cop didn't see my seatbelt ( my whole inside is black, and what I was wearing that day was dark too, but I ALWAYS wear it) comes up to me, sees I have it on, says good day, comes back and says," Oh license, registration please." I said for what? Told me my license covers are illegal. let me off with a warning, but never put them on again.

usp55 · 10-02-2009, 08:52 AM

Yea got pulled over a year ago for other reasons which he woulded tell me. Just started asking who i was coming from, where i was going questions. Wasnt speeding - no tint at the time - turn signals lights all working - guess thats just how it is in my area. He gave me a warning for a 100% clear rear cover

ryanfx · 10-02-2009, 06:17 PM

The NJ law is wonderfully vague ..

Quote:

39:3-33. Markers; requirements concerning; display of fictitious or wrong numbers, etc.; punishment
.......

The identification mark or marks shall contain the number of the registration certificate of the vehicle and shall be of such design and material as prescribed pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1989, c.202 (C.39:3-33.9). All identification marks shall be kept clear and distinct and free from grease, dust or other blurring matter, so as to be plainly visible at all times of the day and night.

No person shall drive a motor vehicle which has a license plate frame or identification marker holder that conceals or otherwise obscures any part of any marking imprinted upon the vehicle's registration plate or any part of any insert which the director, as hereinafter provided, issues to be inserted in and attached to that registration plate or marker.
.........

miketa95 · 10-02-2009, 06:29 PM

my tinted cover saved me a few times i think. Instead of a speeding ticket you just get one of those b.s. things.

V · 10-02-2009, 07:00 PM

i got 2 tickets last week... my car was parked overnight in Queens NY.
1 for tinted plate covers
1 for expired NY state inspection( SKY is reg'd in NY)

Had i been there in person, i would have not gotten the tickets. the inspection expired in May but I just got back in the country last thursday. NJ state extends license, reg and inspection for active military until 2 weeks after i return from orders(overseas for good) but ny state apparently doesnt. I will be pleading not guilty to the inspection one and sending the judge or whoever a letter(from afghanistan) and see what happens from there.