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So I registered my car in Washington, DC(I know NOT a state) and the dealership frame from my previous state blocks the name "Washington, DC" on my rear license plate.
However, the numbers and letters on the plate can easily be read. I only drive two or three days a week tops to far off work locations(locations that lack mass transit)or if I am going deeper into rural areas of Virginia but rest of the days I use the DC Metro train system which is easier than driving and less stressful.
I much rather avoid the police and don't want to give them a dumb reason to pull me over. It wastes my time which is more valuable than having a conversation with them on the side of the road and getting falsely accused of intentionally obscuring my plate.
So, should I just get a new frame to avoid dealing with potentially getting pulled over?
422.1Whenever a motor vehicle or trailer for which District of Columbia registration is required is being operated or left standing upon any public highway, such vehicle shall display two (2) current identification tags, with one (1) on the front and the other on the rear; except as follows:
(a)Motor vehicles need only display a special use identification tag on the rear of the vehicle; and
(b)Motor vehicles may display a souvenir presidential inauguration tag on the front of the vehicle not more than sixty (60) days before and not more than sixty (60) days after inauguration day; provided, that a current identification tag is displayed on the rear.
422.2Motor-driven cycles, motorcycles, trailers, and vehicles identified by a dealer’s tag or manufacturer’s tag shall display only one (1) valid identification tag on the rear of the vehicle.
422.3A vehicle owned by a non-resident and currently registered in another jurisdiction shall display the proper identification tag or tags issued for the vehicle in accordance with the requirements of the issuing jurisdiction; provided, that the tags are displayed in accordance with §§ 422.4, 422.5, 422.6, and 422.8.
422.4Owner’s identification tags shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the tags from swinging and at a height of not less than twelve inches (12 in.) from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the tags, in a place and position to be clearly visible.
422.5Identification tags shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a clearly legible condition. For the purposes of this subsection, foreign materials shall include any non- transparent materials placed on or over the tag(s); any expired or any unauthorized decals or stickers; or any markings or attachments of any kind, except as permitted by § 422.6.
422.6No sign or emblem more than twenty-four square inches (24 in.2) in area shall be attached to any license tag bracket nor shall any sign or emblem be so located as to obstruct from view any part of the identification tags.
422.7Validation stickers issued by the Director that indicate the expiration of a motor vehicle’s registration period are required to be displayed as follows:
(a)For vehicles registered prior to April 22, 2002, and all motorized bicycles, motorcycles, and trailers, the stickers shall be affixed to the tags; the month sticker placed at the lower left corner and the year sticker placed at the lower right corner; and
(b)For vehicles not listed in (a), the sticker shall be affixed to the inside of the vehicle’s windshield, on the driver’s side.
422.8No person shall operate a vehicle where the identification tag’s identifying numbers or letters are covered with glass, plastic, or any other type of material or substance.
422.9A person operating a vehicle in violation of § 422.8 shall be subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($ 500).
422.10Buses owned or leased by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority or the District of Columbia Public Schools may produce and display a special tag on the rear, in lieu of a tag issued by the District of Columbia; provided, that the size, color, design, and material are approved by the Director.
I'd look up the penalties. I don't know VA's laws, but in NH you don't get just a ticket asking for money, it's 2 points on your license and all that entails. Not a hill I want to die on.
I'd look up the penalties. I don't know VA's laws, but in NH you don't get just a ticket asking for money, it's 2 points on your license and all that entails. Not a hill I want to die on.
DC is separate from Virginia and has it owns laws. For DC, the penalty is at least $500 from an article I saw a few days go. But let's also I am traveling up and down the Northeast. Some periods I use Amtrak, which isn't that horrific like the rest of the country but other days I do have to drive and carry heavy stuff or venture to areas rural. The problem is the other states such as yours that would be problematic is also what concerns me.
DC is separate from Virginia and has it owns laws. For DC, the penalty is at least $500 from an article I saw a few days go. But let's also I am traveling up and down the Northeast. Some periods I use Amtrak, which isn't that horrific like the rest of the country but other days I do have to drive and carry heavy stuff or venture to areas rural. The problem is the other states such as yours that would be problematic is also what concerns me.
Why are you making a mountain out of a molehill? Do you want to advertise for an out of state dealership that much that this is a concern for you?
Pro tip - a local car dealer will likely give you one of those frames for free, and it'll likely (maybe) be compliant with your local regs.
Why are you making a mountain out of a molehill? Do you want to advertise for an out of state dealership that much that this is a concern for you?
Pro tip - a local car dealer will likely give you one of those frames for free, and it'll likely (maybe) be compliant with your local regs.
I think it is dumb to advertise for any dealership. But I think that is what I am going to do, ask one of the local ones around. Worst come worst, I will order from Amazon.
So I registered my car in Washington, DC(I know NOT a state) and the dealership frame from my previous state blocks the name "Washington, DC" on my rear license plate.
However, the numbers and letters on the plate can easily be read. I only drive two or three days a week tops to far off work locations(locations that lack mass transit)or if I am going deeper into rural areas of Virginia but rest of the days I use the DC Metro train system which is easier than driving and less stressful.
I much rather avoid the police and don't want to give them a dumb reason to pull me over. It wastes my time which is more valuable than having a conversation with them on the side of the road and getting falsely accused of intentionally obscuring my plate.
So, should I just get a new frame to avoid dealing with potentially getting pulled over?
Yes, I believe you can be ticketed. Nothing wrong with plate frames as long as the state name is visible along with the current year sticker. And the plate numbers/letters visible, of course.
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