Licence Plate Obstruction?
 

What exactly deems a plate to have it's view obstructed? Currently my plate is at the very front of the car mounted in it's factory spot. I don't want to have to fold the plate considering that's illegal too, but is it illegal to TAPE over the bottom inch and top inch with black tape? It doesn't cover any of the letters or numbers or even the "British Columbia" on the top. It's not technically defacing the plate.

Yes it is. You're covering part of the plate up, thereby obstructing full visibility of the plate.

I like to be able to see the complete plate, and be able tell that it is a legitimate, metal plate. I've seen colour photocopies of plates, I've seen the stickers, I've seen legitimate plates stamped flat, spraypainted, and new numbers and letters attached all "hidden" behind a clear plastic cover....

I also like to be able to read the complete val tag, to ensure that it is the proper/real one. Most licence plate frames/covers do not allow me to do the above.

Ohh well I guess that answers that! :)

I have a question I've been curious about for a while now. My brother's front bumper has no place to mount a plate, so he zap-strapped it to one of the pillars (see his av, he's Raid3n, to see what I mean), but the metal would scrape off paint, would he get in trouble for having black tape on the top and the bottom? And he's allowed to have it zap-strapped right? As long as it's clearly visible and affixed to the front end?

Edit: I just realized you can see the "pillar" I'm talking about in my av, his car is the middle one.

^ wow a brother + sister combo on RS .... are there any others?

so does this mean my plate is considered illegal? btw the bottom is just folded at 90 degrees.
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/5200/dscn3688.jpg

Yes, it would make it illegal. Your not allowed to make any changes to your plates whatsoever.

Ya techinally his plate is considered obstructed, because of the electrical tape

Technically, having it strapped is illegal and he can be ticketed for an insecure front plate. The metal that chips away at the paint is also chipping away at the plastic zap-straps. Bite the bullet, drill some holes and screw it to the bumper with some washers on each side of the bumper.

And yes, like stated above, black tape is a no-no.

Correct.

Really? I believe skidmark's advice in other threads disagrees with that...

*shrug* After having seen zap-straps worn nearly all the way through by the edge of the plate, I don't mind ticketing for it and articulating my reasoning to a JJP. Most people are attaching it to the mesh, and for a few cents more, could have picked up some small bolts, nuts and washers and made it quite secure and not worried about a) the metal plate wearing down the plastic, or b) getting a ticket.

I usually issue a Notice and Order to have them fix it and bring it back to the detachment on a day when I'm working.

Hm, I see. Well the problem with his front bumper is that there really isn't anywhere to secure it to. His av would be a better place to look to see. It would either lay flat, or be turned downward, thus making it nearly impossible to see.

wtf, jer I didn't know you were on here O.o

If it was zap strapped so that it is secure fastened, then it would be ok. If it's zap strapped and moves so that it cannot be clearly seen (eg as you move along) then it is NOT securely fastened.

The regs say only that the plate must be "securely fastened". If the straps are almost worn through and/or the plate is loose, that MIGHT be a case for deeming it "insecure", but it's a stretch otherwise.

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused:

His license plate is zapped on tight. No moving at all.

The bottom of my plate is also folded 90 degrees and zap strapped to the lower part of my bumper. It is secure and clearly visible and I've never had any problems with it. Zap strapped for a year already and still no sign of wear or the metal eating though them.

I got a good chuckle the other day when I saw a "Tour de Rock" licence plate frame covering up 2/3rds of the "Beautiful British Columbia".

Yeah make sure you guys have the plate properly mounted, don't be picking up any bad JDM habits like myself.

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/9342/img1001xpu.jpg

The point of a plate is to identify the owner/operator of the vehicle and to ensure that it is insured. If the NUMBERS & LETTERS are visible (which is what the MVA 'requires') and the insurance decals and province or state of origin is visible, then you are fine.

If the cop is hassling you because of tape that covers the white part of the plate, or a plate frame that slightly covers the very top edges of the 'british columbia' lettering, well then that cop needs a kick in the nuts for being an anal retard. I'm sorry if that is offensive but there is no reason to be a robocop. Most cops are very easy reasonable and will not give you a hard time unless you were driving like a jerk and deserve to be hassled.

Top quote one of my favourite, now retired Traffic Court JPs, when commenting about the MV Regulations. They are black & white...either something IS...or it IS NOT. It's like being pregnant, either you are or you are not. Yes ANY obstruction IS AN OBSTRUCTION, yet, as Rich said above, unless it is an attitude adjustment session, you would be very unlikely to get a VT for the tape holding the plate on. The same for a tiny portion of the non lettered part of the plate. From there on it can go downhill depending on how "pregnant" you are and what your attitude is like.

Pre-natal hormone imbalance in a helluva thing...

Right up there with PMS! :)

ok well, the screw head of the Bolt would be an obstruction. same with the washer behind the screw head. I have seen some bigggg washers I could fit in there if I wanted to.

So, every single car dealership or performance parts supplier, that includes a licence plate frame of their company can inadvertently cause a Obstruction ticket?



is this legal? ( If it wasnt bent ) ....lol
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/attach...-plate-365.jpg