License Plate Frame Question for those in MA - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

AznBRZer · 07-25-2013, 12:50 AM

So I've been doing some research and I'm getting mixed results.

I picked up some STi frames, but they obscure "The Spirit of America" logo. There was a case from a couple years ago that said that cops can't pull you over for it(a drunk driver appealed because he was stopped for it and won), yet the RMV website says that you can get fined and not pass inspection if it IS obscured.

I just put them on tonight. Should I take them off before I get on the roads tomorrow?

These are the frames in question:

Clembo · 07-25-2013, 08:38 AM

Don't know the rules in MA but no problem here in CT. Frame looks like the same style dealers everywhere use to advertise and those would cover the same lower area on the plates. Hell, "The Spirit of America" is just a state motto, like "Constitution State" is here in CT. It's not an all-inclusive identifying feature.

MA has lots of 'special plates' with different mottos / logos in that same lower area advertising everything from sports teams to charities. They might be important to the owner who paid extra for them but what difference would it make to law enforcement? And the DMV makes money from these as well.

As long as they can see the actual state and number I don't see how or why it would be illegal. I'd leave the frames on and enjoy them. If something like this is all law enforcement is worried about, then this whole country is in worse shape than I could imagine.

Haven't found just the right one for my FR-S yet but I couldn't live without my MX-5's 'Zoom Zoom' frame.

Books · 07-25-2013, 10:10 AM

My Grimmspeed frame covers half of the motto, no issues with it yet.

Sony · 07-25-2013, 11:07 AM

My Kaizen Tuning frame covers both the state and the Motto...I haven't run into any issues yet, even with inspection.

rba · 07-25-2013, 01:45 PM

I would guess that if it is an issue you'd only get pulled over in small towns with bored cops who are fishing for something.

I was pulled over in a small town near the Quabbin because one of the two lights illuminating my rear license plate was out. It was around 10:30 PM on New Year's Eve -- the cop was obviously just fishing for an excuse.

davisk6 · 07-26-2013, 11:56 AM

Technically, it is not allowed, but I seriously doubt you would get pulled over for it. If anything, a "by the book" inspection station will fail you. So just take it off before your inspection.

07-25-2013, 12:50 AM	#1
AznBRZer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Drives: 16 CBS WRX Limited Location: Boston Posts: 1,147 Thanks: 947 Thanked 592 Times in 371 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 1 Thread(s)	License Plate Frame Question for those in MA So I've been doing some research and I'm getting mixed results. I picked up some STi frames, but they obscure "The Spirit of America" logo. There was a case from a couple years ago that said that cops can't pull you over for it(a drunk driver appealed because he was stopped for it and won), yet the RMV website says that you can get fined and not pass inspection if it IS obscured. I just put them on tonight. Should I take them off before I get on the roads tomorrow? These are the frames in question:

07-25-2013, 08:38 AM	#2
Clembo 'Senior' Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 13 FR-S,08 Mustang Bullitt,06 MX-5 Location: Southeastern CT Posts: 389 Thanks: 117 Thanked 213 Times in 122 Posts Mentioned: 16 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Don't know the rules in MA but no problem here in CT. Frame looks like the same style dealers everywhere use to advertise and those would cover the same lower area on the plates. Hell, "The Spirit of America" is just a state motto, like "Constitution State" is here in CT. It's not an all-inclusive identifying feature. MA has lots of 'special plates' with different mottos / logos in that same lower area advertising everything from sports teams to charities. They might be important to the owner who paid extra for them but what difference would it make to law enforcement? And the DMV makes money from these as well. As long as they can see the actual state and number I don't see how or why it would be illegal. I'd leave the frames on and enjoy them. If something like this is all law enforcement is worried about, then this whole country is in worse shape than I could imagine. Haven't found just the right one for my FR-S yet but I couldn't live without my MX-5's 'Zoom Zoom' frame. __________________ "You'll never know if you don't try" - Shinroko Momose

07-25-2013, 11:07 AM	#4
Sony Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ MT Limited Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 805 Thanks: 20 Thanked 463 Times in 200 Posts Mentioned: 25 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	My Kaizen Tuning frame covers both the state and the Motto...I haven't run into any issues yet, even with inspection. __________________ Dark Blue 2020 Subaru Forester Sport, Name: Apollo - God of Music WRB 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited MT, Name: Zeus - Father of all God's and God of Sky and Thunder Perrin Cat-Back, ECUTek Tune by Kaizen Tuning, Perrin Silicone Radiator Hoses, Perrin Master Cylinder Brace, Perrin True Cold Air Intake

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07-26-2013, 11:56 AM	#6
davisk6 Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Drives: BRZ Location: Massachusetts Posts: 82 Thanks: 13 Thanked 22 Times in 16 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Technically, it is not allowed, but I seriously doubt you would get pulled over for it. If anything, a "by the book" inspection station will fail you. So just take it off before your inspection.

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