Comments on: New Arizona License Plate Law

By: Dave Smith

Dave Smith — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:17:54 +0000

John,

The law already took effect. The state name is not to be obscured by a plate frame. Other hardware or even pulling a trailer behind which blocks the view is not considered a plate frame. But the law is being revisited. And I don’t think it is being enforced unless you are stopped for another offense. But the way the law is written they can stop you for having any part of the state name covered over by a plate frame, even if it is just by 1/8th of an inch.

I still see a few AZ plates with frames covering the state name, but most have removed the frames or stopped back to their dealerships for a frame that is in compliance.

By: john matteson

john matteson — Sat, 09 May 2009 19:10:54 +0000

My license plate frame reads “united states coast guard, and the state name is obscured by “unites states”.
will the law also apply to people who have wheel chair/scooter hardware that obscures the state name. Also the “smokey plastic” covers that obscures the entire plate? And trailer and ball hitches and bicycle mounts???

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:37:20 +0000

This is yet another move towards a police state; a far cry from a (((socialist))) state as some misguided folks here have stated. The cracked windshield and now this law only target those who may be impoverished. This amounts to poverty profiling. While this change in ARS *may* fill the coffers a tad the far greater concern is the misuse of law enforcement power.

By: Dave Smith

Dave Smith — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:55:49 +0000

Bruce,

Thanks for finding the entire statute and link. I think the sideways mount on the motorcycles is one of those that falls under “interpretation”.

43Quid,

It looks like the law might even be repealed in the upcoming session. It is too general and open to interpretation. I think the biggest complaint I have with the law is the making it a priority offense which mean you can be pulled over for it. Second, the size of the fine is exorbitant. I have seen a lot of plate covers disappear in the past week. So far I haven’t seen anyone pulled over with the plate partially covered.

One thing for sure, it has generated a lot of talk and unfortunately a lot of ill will between citizens and the state of Arizona.

By: David

David — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:42:26 +0000

Arizona Drivers Against Stupid License Plate Frame Laws.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=57250171342

By: 43Quid

43Quid — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:27:27 +0000

I’ve seen a lot of articles with interpretations that seem to go beyond what this statute literally requires, but what’s “required” is a bit tough to figure out. The plate must be “clearly legible” and “clearly visible,” and the state name must not be “obscured.” But what, exactly,does all that mean, and why do they use so many different words. My driver’s license, for example, is “clearly legible,” and when I take it out of my wallet and put it on the table, it’s “clearly visible,” even if it’s face down. I presume they mean that the words, numbers and letters must be “clearly visible,” but that’s not what they wrote. The plate, of course, is “clearly visible” even if it’s mounted with the shiny side out.

And no one is explaining this notion that even blocking out 1/4″ of the state name would mean it’s “obscured.” That has no basis in the statute, so where is this coming from?

By: BruceK

BruceK — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:59:15 +0000

Nothing about sideway mounted plates for motorcycles anywhere in the ARS. Nothing about angles, feet or other viewing distance or vertices. What dictates what is clearly visible?

This ambiguity sure leaves judicial interpretation open to compliance enforcement staff on the street.

And has anybody seen the ‘Fallen Police Officer’, ‘Golden Rule’ & particularly the ‘Environmental’ AZ license plates? They are not clearly legible on their own, especially with the non-embossed characters now being used – even with no plate cover or frame on them.

By: BruceK

BruceK — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:05:06 +0000

Here it is in tis entirety from AZ State Legislature website:

• http://www.azleg.state.az.us/FormatDocument.asp?inDoc=/ars/28/02354.htm&Title=28&DocType=ARS

28-2354. License plates; attachment
A. A person shall display the license plate or plates as follows:
1. For a motor vehicle, motorcycle, trailer or semitrailer, on the rear.
2. For a vehicle for which two license plates are issued, the vehicle owner shall display either of the following:
(a) One plate on the rear.
(b) One plate on the front and one plate on the rear.
B. A person shall display all license plates as required by subsection A until their lawful use expires or is canceled or revoked. A person shall maintain each license plate so it is clearly legible and so that the name of this state at the top of the license plate is not obscured. A person shall securely fasten each license plate to the vehicle as follows:
1. To prevent the plate from swinging.
2. At a height of at least twelve inches from the ground to the bottom of the plate.
3. In a position to be clearly visible.

By: Dave Smith

Dave Smith — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:00:23 +0000

Bruce, A.R.S 28–2354 states (in part): A person shall display all license plates as required by subsection A until their lawful use expires or is canceled or revoked. A person shall maintain each license plate so it is clearly legible and so that the name of this state at the top of the license plate is not obscured.

By: BruceK

BruceK — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:52:54 +0000

Can anyone cite or point to the entire AZ statue as it relates to this issue that includes the exact language of what must be seen, from what angle & how far?