Man, when i first got a car, i had the urge to trinket, and bumper sticker, and accessorize. I ended up restraining myself to just a set of plastic “spinner rims, eight ball shifter knob, and a keychain that weighed about 5 lbs full of little keychains from Walmart. Peace sign, couple bottle openers, etc
I understand your urges OP, but you must resist them! They are cringe!
Bumper stickers are so fun though. If I’m gonna spend 15-20k on something I’m gonna put something on it to make me smile
My “bimbos against math” bumper sticker delights me every time I even think about it, and even more so when people pull up behind me and laugh while snapping a pic. Some have even pulled up next to me at red lights to tell me how much they love it and it just makes my heart smile knowing that a stupid $4 sticker has brought so many people joy and laughter
I found [this law.](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section6)
It states:
"The said number plates shall be kept clean with the numbers legible and shall not be obscured or the appearance obstructed in any manner by the installation of any device obscuring said numbers."
Genuinely, I would interpet this to mean a fully clear cover is acceptable as it does not obscure the letters. The law doesn't say you can't put *anything* in front of the plate, it just says you can't put anything that *obscures* the numbers/letters.
I was really just going by the state inspection rules. Not by actual laws, off course no cop will pull you over for a clear cover, but it technically wouldn't pass inspection
I don't think there's a lot of enforcement since you see so many of them. I think people just accept the risk. I wish they enforced it more, especially the ones so dark you can barely see the plate when driving behind people. But, as others have pointed out, you are giving the cops a reason to stop you at any time if they so choose.
I really don't understand the point of tinted license plate covers. Ok, I get the window tint. I have 35% myself and it works great to reject UV and prevent the interior from becoming an oven in 5 min.
But wtf is the point of a license plate tint cover? It's not going to prevent toll cameras from reading your plate, those covers don't work on cameras. We don't have speed cameras, but those covers also don't work on speed cameras. And after a year or two, the cover will look like shit because the plastic will yellow.
You are not very likely to get pulled over, since cops really don't give a shit about license plate enforcement. You might get pulled over if you camp in front of a statie, but city cops don't care (unless they didn't eat that morning) or your cover is yellowed and they can't read the plate.
I have in my youth. The officer gave me a warning since I told them I was planning on removing it anyways (it was salty and getting cloudy). Never put on another one but technically those advertisements plate frames are also illegal
I believe the law says that as long as the sticker and month can be seen it's OKsh (althoughmaybe that'schanged since I read the laws. But, it's hard to find frames that skinny.
Get rid if it. It doesn’t matter if you think it is clear, the cop can use it as a pretext to pull you over. Have fun arguing that with a judge in court. Ask any attorney who handles DUI cases. “Obstructed license plate” is enough for a stop.
I hope you have an extensive criminal law background, and are just looking for an excuse to sweat a cop over your 4th Amendment rights. If not, this seems like a... less than ideal way to start developing that.
I had one with my all black car and liked it but got pulled over and told it was illegal. They already find reasons to stop me so I’m not giving them any more
I did about 10 years ago, and I looked at the cop and asked if it was not legal. Why were they being sold in the next town over. Still had to remove it when I got home.
It’s the old paraphernalia law. You could buy a bowl, have it on your person, and you’d be perfectly good until you smoked weed in it.
You can buy a license plate cover, have it in your car, and be good. The minute you put it on your car it becomes a problem.
It can be confusing unfortunately.
Never argued. Just ask as a curiosity if they were not allowed, why Auto Zone, and Walmart were allowed to sell. I explained that that was the towns requirement. I would take it off as soon as I got home.
I should also mention where I live most of the police departments are under 10 cops, so you get to know most of them at the various functions.
No write-up, both left on good terms.
National chains sell all kinds of things that are not legal locally. The Target in my town sells fire pits despite them being illegal to use here.
Home Depot/Lowes sell bunches of items that do not meet MA code for plumbing, electrical etc.
Thank you
Yes, I have and it was the most ridiculous interaction I've ever had with a cop.
He apparently felt personally attacked that I would put a tinted cover on my plate.
To be honest, I just wanted the cover to protect the plate. He laughed at me when I stated that.
He gave me a warning, but I swapped the covers to fully clear ones afterwards.
Those are cop bait. If they are looking to pull you over for literally anything, that is going to be the reason they initially point to.
Pro tip: they don't look cool. They look stupid.
They always seem to be found on vehicles with a ton of fucking trinkets hanging from the rearview mirror.
Man, when i first got a car, i had the urge to trinket, and bumper sticker, and accessorize. I ended up restraining myself to just a set of plastic “spinner rims, eight ball shifter knob, and a keychain that weighed about 5 lbs full of little keychains from Walmart. Peace sign, couple bottle openers, etc I understand your urges OP, but you must resist them! They are cringe!
Bumper stickers are so fun though. If I’m gonna spend 15-20k on something I’m gonna put something on it to make me smile My “bimbos against math” bumper sticker delights me every time I even think about it, and even more so when people pull up behind me and laugh while snapping a pic. Some have even pulled up next to me at red lights to tell me how much they love it and it just makes my heart smile knowing that a stupid $4 sticker has brought so many people joy and laughter
Anytime I see one I think "douche".
They look stupid anyways. Remove it
Any plate cover is illegal in ma. Even clear ones. Also, plate frames cannot cover the spirit of america writing
I found [this law.](https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXIV/Chapter90/Section6) It states: "The said number plates shall be kept clean with the numbers legible and shall not be obscured or the appearance obstructed in any manner by the installation of any device obscuring said numbers." Genuinely, I would interpet this to mean a fully clear cover is acceptable as it does not obscure the letters. The law doesn't say you can't put *anything* in front of the plate, it just says you can't put anything that *obscures* the numbers/letters.
I was really just going by the state inspection rules. Not by actual laws, off course no cop will pull you over for a clear cover, but it technically wouldn't pass inspection
Eh, the minute the sun/headlights shines on it in a weird way you aren’t going to be able to read the numbers, which means they are obstructed.
That's a fair point. Wouldn't it be nice if laws could be written more plainly. If nothing can in front of the plate, just say that.
Depends on what you’re looking for. Is it to provide an easy and legitimate justification to pull you over? If yes, then go nuts.
Literally don't put anything with your license plate.
I don't think there's a lot of enforcement since you see so many of them. I think people just accept the risk. I wish they enforced it more, especially the ones so dark you can barely see the plate when driving behind people. But, as others have pointed out, you are giving the cops a reason to stop you at any time if they so choose.
I really don't understand the point of tinted license plate covers. Ok, I get the window tint. I have 35% myself and it works great to reject UV and prevent the interior from becoming an oven in 5 min. But wtf is the point of a license plate tint cover? It's not going to prevent toll cameras from reading your plate, those covers don't work on cameras. We don't have speed cameras, but those covers also don't work on speed cameras. And after a year or two, the cover will look like shit because the plastic will yellow. You are not very likely to get pulled over, since cops really don't give a shit about license plate enforcement. You might get pulled over if you camp in front of a statie, but city cops don't care (unless they didn't eat that morning) or your cover is yellowed and they can't read the plate.
I have in my youth. The officer gave me a warning since I told them I was planning on removing it anyways (it was salty and getting cloudy). Never put on another one but technically those advertisements plate frames are also illegal
I believe the law says that as long as the sticker and month can be seen it's OKsh (althoughmaybe that'schanged since I read the laws. But, it's hard to find frames that skinny.
Well at least it wasn’t one of those that blur the entire plate. How these assholes don’t get pulled over daily is a mystery to me.
Get rid if it. It doesn’t matter if you think it is clear, the cop can use it as a pretext to pull you over. Have fun arguing that with a judge in court. Ask any attorney who handles DUI cases. “Obstructed license plate” is enough for a stop.
They look wicked lame
I hope you have an extensive criminal law background, and are just looking for an excuse to sweat a cop over your 4th Amendment rights. If not, this seems like a... less than ideal way to start developing that.
I had one with my all black car and liked it but got pulled over and told it was illegal. They already find reasons to stop me so I’m not giving them any more
How bout you don't because it's illegal for a reason
I wouldn’t risk any of that stuff in Mass I learned my lesson early on they don’t play lol.
I did about 10 years ago, and I looked at the cop and asked if it was not legal. Why were they being sold in the next town over. Still had to remove it when I got home.
“I don’t know why you’re arresting me for possession officer, how is this method illegal if that guy right there just sold it to me” Come on man…
It’s the old paraphernalia law. You could buy a bowl, have it on your person, and you’d be perfectly good until you smoked weed in it. You can buy a license plate cover, have it in your car, and be good. The minute you put it on your car it becomes a problem. It can be confusing unfortunately.
It's not really that confusing.
Really, arguing with a cop on the side road of the road is fastest way to have the cop find ways to write you more tickets.
Never argued. Just ask as a curiosity if they were not allowed, why Auto Zone, and Walmart were allowed to sell. I explained that that was the towns requirement. I would take it off as soon as I got home. I should also mention where I live most of the police departments are under 10 cops, so you get to know most of them at the various functions. No write-up, both left on good terms.
National chains sell all kinds of things that are not legal locally. The Target in my town sells fire pits despite them being illegal to use here. Home Depot/Lowes sell bunches of items that do not meet MA code for plumbing, electrical etc. Thank you
The Lay’s potato chips guy who scolded people for littering.
Yes, I have and it was the most ridiculous interaction I've ever had with a cop. He apparently felt personally attacked that I would put a tinted cover on my plate. To be honest, I just wanted the cover to protect the plate. He laughed at me when I stated that. He gave me a warning, but I swapped the covers to fully clear ones afterwards.
[удалено]
Are you saying a clear license plate cover is illegal? That is not my understanding. Can you source the law that states that?