O/T? License Plate alterations?

Hey all,

This might be o/t, but its the only place I know to ask.

Can you make alterations to your license plates? I was thinking of drilling holes in mine to mount on the radiator (maybe I don't have to, but I was thinking about it).

But it does beg the question on whether you can make any other alterations.

Thanks for any advice.

—MRAK

 

Probably is illegal to modify the plates in any way, but only a real hard nose cop or inspector (and we know there's no shortage of those) would give you any grief. Make it as inconspicuous as possible and you might be ok. Or be creative and find a way to mount it without altering it.

 

generally, no you can't.

hell, in texas you are not allowed to have ANY part of your plate obstructed. that means the cheap dealer frames most people have are illegal, though it's not an issue for most people...unless they fit some police profile.

i wouldn't let it stop me though, but that's me.

 

Every law I've ever seen on the subject is focused on whether it's modified or mounted with the intent of obscuring it

 

Make an 18 gage stainless backing plate as wide as your state plate - which is probably 6" x 12" - and an inch or two taller.

Drill the backing plate to match your mount holes and the top holes in your state plate.

Inconspicous and legal.

Look close at my 32 roadster and you can just see the front plate backing plate.

The rear is a little more visible because it drops the plate down lower so it's more visible.

 

In Texas the DPS is going to get you. City cops probably not. With the introduction of cameras at intersections here the man wants to make sure they get a clean shot of your plate when you run those orange lights. Also, with all the drugs and illegals going north up 35 and 77 your tag is run in places you would never think about.

 

Holes ant shit .. Got mine LOUVERED !!! ..Lock me up and throw the key away

 

Way to go, nitro. Screw the man!!

 

Thanks to everyone - so far.

I did a quick illustration so that everyone would know what I mean (which is attached). My thought was to not obscure any of the real text but drill holes around that. Also, I was thinking about a small size hole, 1/8" tops.

— MRAK

 

Funny Nitro, was writing when you posted. Nobody has given you any hell?

 

No Hell .. Anywere .................

 

I had louvered ones too, they were completely legible.

Got pulled over, highway patrolman said he couldn't read them.
He told me that the state owns the plates, and that they couldn't be altered in any way (I was charged for the plate by the DMV, how could the state own them)????

Gave me a ticket for not displaying my tags properly.

Went to court, they asked me if the plate was obscured with a trailer hitch etc.... told them nope, they dismissed the ticket.

I think alot is going to depend on the cop whether or not you get away with it.

 

From what I have been told and seen in NY, it goes along with that has been said. My neighbor got ticketed many times for a plate bracket on his stock Harley for impropper display. Also I was told you can not "restore" an antique plate by painting it even if its the same color.