CVC 5201 License Plater Covers

[AG166]

So here's a wildcard question about license plate covers. Lately I've seen a variety and style of license plate covers out and about. Some are clear and some are tinted. In reading Section 5201(b)(2), what is your take and experience in court with this if you've cited someone for it? Does anyone know if a license plate camera will capture a plate with a clear or tinted cover on it?

CVC 5201(b)(2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs.  No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number. - See more at: http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-....Hfu0ncgP.dpuf

[P5Ret]

I've cited for it, but I've never had anyone take me to court for a correctable violation (fix-it ticket).

[Spanky8601]

So here's a wildcard question about license plate covers. Lately I've seen a variety and style of license plate covers out and about. Some are clear and some are tinted. In reading Section 5201(b)(2), what is your take and experience in court with this if you've cited someone for it? Does anyone know if a license plate camera will capture a plate with a clear or tinted cover on it?

CVC 5201(b)(2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs.  No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number. - See more at: http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-....Hfu0ncgP.dpuf

The underlined and Bold areas would be the important things to follow.

[CBR_rider]

And look at CVC 5201(c)

(c) A casing, shield, frame, border, product, or other device that
obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate
by an electronic device operated by state or local law enforcement,
an electronic device operated in connection with a toll road,
high-occupancy toll lane, toll bridge, or other toll facility, or a
remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and
44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall not be installed on, or
affixed to, a vehicle.

IMO, most all covers fall under the (b) or (c) section. If there is case law on anything more specific I haven't seen it yet.

[LtJim]

The only place i would expect to see that section would be in an arrest report for PC for the stop.

Issuing a cite for that ---Too much time on your hands---Be prepared to transfer to Xing Guard duties

[ad40]

My plate reader can't pick up plates with covering (clear or tinted).

[micro911]

It sure can be a probable cause to stop anyways.

[71MUSTY]

It sure can be a probable cause to stop anyways.

Exactly, why ask to be stopped.

[Eat Dirt]

Does anyone know if a license plate camera will capture a plate with a clear or tinted cover on it?

CVC 5201(b)(2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, ]

I think this was covered by 'Mythbusters "

[tyrist]

So here's a wildcard question about license plate covers. Lately I've seen a variety and style of license plate covers out and about. Some are clear and some are tinted. In reading Section 5201(b)(2), what is your take and experience in court with this if you've cited someone for it? Does anyone know if a license plate camera will capture a plate with a clear or tinted cover on it?

CVC 5201(b)(2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs.  No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number. - See more at: http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/vehicle-....Hfu0ncgP.dpuf

They are talking about the cover which go around the license plate not over it. You cannot cover your license plate number with anything since it will obstruct it.

[CinnamonBear723]

You don't need probable cause to stop a vehicle, only reasonable suspicion.

[Eat Dirt]

You don't need probable cause to stop a vehicle,only reasonable suspicion .

And ........What constitutes that ??

[ls2monaro]

Reasonable suspicion is a legal standard of proof in United States law that is less than probable cause, the legal standard for arrests and warrants, but more than an "inchoate and unparticularized suspicion or 'hunch'";[1] it must be based on "specific and articulable facts", "taken together with rational inferences from those facts",[2] and the suspicion must be associated with the specific individual.

Reasonable suspicion = detention = traffic stop

Probable cause = arrest

"PC for the stop" is a common saying, but only reasonable suspicion is needed to detain someone aka initiate a traffic stop. I've pulled over thousands of vehicles, you follow someone long enough and they violate the vehicle code at some point.

That being said, I've issued less than 5 traffic tickets in 8 years on the job, so the car I'm stopping for a burnt out license plate bulb is a legal way for me to contact the gangsters up to no good riding in it.

I'll let chp and the motorcycle cops stop the soccer moms for expired tags and talking on their cell phone ;-).

[AG166]

Thanks for all the info on the plate covers.

[edw794]

beyond "reasonable suspicion," probable cause such as a vehicle code violation is legally required when i was working in the long ago times and i would be confident that is still required today. if you guys are looking for pc to stop, headlight adjustment or tire tread also works. both of those violations will be evident to the trained eye.