pulled over for "dark license plate cover"

[topazsparrow]

I'm curious to know why you feel the need to hide your license plate in the first place...

[Pbrown]

Originally Posted by topazsparrow

I'm curious to know why you feel the need to hide your license plate in the first place...

Not hiding anything. The smoked look on darker vehicles looks better.

[drei]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

read the HTA

you are not allowed to cover your plate with anything that might might conceal its information

this includes not cleaning it if it's extreamly dirty

when you buy it at Canadian tire it actually says on it "please consult your local laws," and guess what, our laws don't allow it.

any plate cover other than the clear one CAN BE a reason for a cop to pull you over and give you shit.

I get that.. but it's such a minor thing that I wonder if it is worth his time to pull me over and warn me about it.. Literally seems like he had nothing else to do.

[drei]

Originally Posted by Demandred7

Wow, you would think that he would have more of an issue with your window tint vs your license plate tint.

My windows were down, otherwise I would imagine he would give me a hard time about that as well

[KKaWing]

Originally Posted by topazsparrow

I'm curious to know why you feel the need to hide your license plate in the first place...

It actually helps keep the plate in service with a plate protector. Usually the bottom half of the plate is not supported by "modern" plate holders. During winter, in a heavy slush environment, the plate actually bends back. My plate can be considered corrugated steel at the "joint" from the amount of times I had to bend it back straight. I've had my plate for a while though, it's been on several cars... 6 digit plate ftw /flex

[drei]

Originally Posted by KKaWing

It actually helps keep the plate in service with a plate protector. Usually the bottom half of the plate is not supported by "modern" plate holders. During winter, in a heavy slush environment, the plate actually bends back. My plate can be considered corrugated steel at the "joint" from the amount of times I had to bend it back straight. I've had my plate for a while though, it's been on several cars... 6 digit plate ftw /flex

That as well as rust.
Plates without a cover rust much easier than plates without

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by drei

My windows were down, otherwise I would imagine he would give me a hard time about that as well

you must be new to Canada

probable cause is a big thing here, for better or worse cops can't hassle you for no reason.

and unlike some European countries, there are no check-point type inspections for the average citizen either

I can't pull up the statistic, but there is a measurable statistic behind cops who pull someone over for one thing end up finding weapons or drugs (or other things) and confiscating them

for you it may seem like the cop doesn't have anything to do, but for the cop it's just another routine

are you a visible minority?

[KKaWing]

Originally Posted by 7thgear

are you a visible minority?

So you're asking if dude is white? Sorry, can't resist this age old GTA joke

[Archetype]

I got pulled for the same in Georgia even though I live in SC. I have pretty dark window tint too so I'm sure he needed a good reason to pull me over. Funny part was when he thought the car was stolen and painted bc it said BRZ on the registration and that could only mean bronze, haha. He didnt like my GoPro strapped to my roll cage either but he let me go and I said I would remove it. I would remove it...it looks great on black cars but just not worth the hassle.

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by KKaWing

So you're asking if dude is white? Sorry, can't resist this age old GTA joke

hahahah

[mashal]

So you clearly understand that you broke the law by putting a cover on your plate and your upset at the cop for doing his job?

tap'd

[wparsons]

FWIW, I live in the area where the OP was stopped, have an asphalt FRS with tinted windows (~35% IIRC) and tinted plate covers from Canadian Tire and haven't even been looked at for them. I've had plenty of cops behind me with windows up and down and haven't had any trouble at all.

Not sure if it's how I drive, or my age/race (over 30, white), but I haven't had a single issue.

[headlikeahole]

7thgear has it right. As a police officer I rutinely pull people over for various things such as tint, plate covers, fail to signal, and all kinds of seeminly "minor" infractions. These traffic stops serve only one purpose; they allow me to dig deeper. Often times these stops turn into drug / alcohol charges.

It's not that your plate covers actually bothered him, I'm sure the officer couldn't care less that you have them.

On a seperate note, traffic stops are the most dangerous situation that a police officer faces on a day to day basis. You might see it as harrasment, but at the end of the day he's trying to find/prevent crime. You should be thankful that someone is willing to do it, rather then belittling his job.

[Captain Stall]

I thought it would have obvious: he pulled you over to get a better look at your car! Then he probably couldn't bring himself to admit that so he had to find another reason.