pulled over for "dark license plate cover"

[drei]

so this cop followed me down bayview from 407 to john st in thornhill and pulled me over on a side street.. "hi sir I'm pulling you over today because your license plate covers are too dark"
they are the ones you buy from Canadian Tire that are tinted.. he told me I should take them off before the end of the week. Should I bother? I see every other car has tinted license plate covers and I've never heard of anyone being pulled over for this.

[CodyFRS]

I wouldn't sweat it, do some research on the internet and see what the real laws are around "Modified, Tinted" plates. I see them all the time in PA, USA.

[FRSFirestorm]

Sounds like you were pulled over for check out. The license plate provided a probable cause to do so. If you don't mind having a reason for the law to pull you over keep it.

[BioRage]

Any plate cover is "not permitted"

Cops will pull you over, this includes the clear one they sell at crappy tire/walmart.

"A requirement of the HTA is that plates be kept plainly visible at all times."

The fine is usually about $100-$110.

As for licence plate frames, the HTA says the entire plate must be plainly visible at all times. Technically, this could include any type of plate frame, but police may exercise discretion not to charge when no essential element of the plate is covered.


All ServiceOntario centres that sell plate covers are required to prominently display a poster stating that the Ministry of Transportation does not endorse or promote the sale, purchase or use of clear or tinted licence plate covers. The poster also references section 13 HTA and provides a contact number for further information (416-235-2999 in the GTA).

I've had clear covers on my car for almost a year, and no issues.. knock on wood.

The cop was just giving you a hard time, I don't know why they even bother.. really have nothing else to do but hassle people with dark covers.

[drei]

He actually said I can have clear ones...

Thanks for the replies

[wbradley]

I have tinted ones on both my cars and never had a problem. Unless the cop was local to where you frequent or he actually documented the warning (if you think he did), I wouldnt sweat it!

[3_NA_HAF]

Ive heard the same as biorage said, nothing can cover your plate, even clear. I was with a friend of mine when we got pulled over for speeding. Couldn't give him a ticket, didn't have radar on him. Gave him a ticket for plate covers (clear ones). We found out if you turn in the covers with the ticket, within a few days, you don't have to pay the ticket. So I wouldn't sweat it.

[Pbrown]

I have dark on front and clear on back. Fucks them up. I just say I am protecting my plates as they are getting old. I also have pictures of those completely rusted over plates to prove my point. The only people I have encountered getting a ticket for that is by the OPP

[grant]

I've been there, 4 times now. lol

word of advise, when they tell you it makes it hard to read the license plate don't ask if they need their eyes tested ;-)

[Demandred7]

Originally Posted by drei

so this cop followed me down bayview from 407 to john st in thornhill and pulled me over on a side street.. "hi sir I'm pulling you over today because your license plate covers are too dark"
they are the ones you buy from Canadian Tire that are tinted.. he told me I should take them off before the end of the week. Should I bother? I see every other car has tinted license plate covers and I've never heard of anyone being pulled over for this.

How dark is dark? I am curious, do you have a pic? I have never even thought about it because it seems more like a hint of tint on mine.

[BioRage]

Originally Posted by Demandred7

How dark is dark? I am curious, do you have a pic? I have never even thought about it because it seems more like a hint of tint on mine.

Dark is interpret by the officer, if he feels it's to "dark" he can issue you a ticket, same applies to tints.

[drei]

Originally Posted by Demandred7

How dark is dark? I am curious, do you have a pic? I have never even thought about it because it seems more like a hint of tint on mine.

the cop was also wearing sunglasses and told me at night he wouldn't be able to see the plates, I didn't say anything about wearing sunglasses at night, but did say there is a light over the plates and then just said "whatever, bye" took my papers and drove off

pure scumbag, seemed like first year on the job

[Demandred7]

Originally Posted by BioRage

Dark is interpret by the officer, if he feels it's to "dark" he can issue you a ticket, same applies to tints.

Originally Posted by drei

the cop was also wearing sunglasses and told me at night he wouldn't be able to see the plates, I didn't say anything about wearing sunglasses at night, but did say there is a light over the plates and then just said "whatever, bye" took my papers and drove off

pure scumbag, seemed like first year on the job

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

[7thgear]

Originally Posted by drei

so this cop followed me down bayview from 407 to john st in thornhill and pulled me over on a side street.. "hi sir I'm pulling you over today because your license plate covers are too dark"
they are the ones you buy from Canadian Tire that are tinted.. he told me I should take them off before the end of the week. Should I bother? I see every other car has tinted license plate covers and I've never heard of anyone being pulled over for this.

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.