Is it legal to augment a license plate?

[MR2DR]

I don't know why but lately I've been seeing a bunch of modified plates.

For example, I saw a 240 with one of those jdm backlights with their regular georgia tag. I asked him how he did it and he said he shaved the metal off the back of his plate so that the light can shine through. A set up like this for example.





I've also seen plate where they shave/scratched/cut off the bottom part of the plate where the county name is. Some people claim it's for privacy reason and that if they throw a plate frame on there then it blocks the county name anyways? for example:



There's also the addition of other stuff to the plates I've seen like shark fins to protect from red light camera and a shit bunch of random stickers ranging from gay jdm pride to police fraternity.

I always thought that modifying the plate in any way was illegal and I know that it's a felony in some states. I don't plan on altering my plate, I'm just curious.. can anyone chime in?

[RBS]

green one looks cool

[quickdodge®]

As far as I know, it is illegal to alter/block any part of your license plate. Later, QD.

[silversol]

Yes this is illegal!

[Barefoot]

As far as I know, it is illegal to alter/block any part of your license plate. Later, QD.

this is what i was told at the tag office

[DeeAOne]

No it's not legal. If it was people would not get tickets for those tinted tag covers.

[Barefoot]

No it's not legal. If it was people would not get tickets for those tinted tag covers.

just because the police let somethings slide. doent mean it not illegal.

[stillaneon]

No it's not legal. If it was people would not get tickets for those tinted tag covers.

Ask Jason.. If you can have a tinted cover. He has been pulled over many times

[Evil Goat]

it is definitely illegal....

the thing about the county is arguable though....i've been pulled over for it and when i asked what the difference was between my tag and a specialty tag that doesn't have it on there the officer couldn't answer me and told me I had a good point and let me go

[Got Milk?]

When I registered my CRX, she just gave me a new tag, the county spot was blank, i asked her why, she said it's not required...

[Andr3w]

it is definitely illegal....

the thing about the county is arguable though....i've been pulled over for it and when i asked what the difference was between my tag and a specialty tag that doesn't have it on there the officer couldn't answer me and told me I had a good point and let me go

I've been wondering about that for a while. If it comes down to it it says the county on the tag sticker right under the month

[tnomud]

GA plate funnys: I have a rusty old 1953 tag with no light on my 53 Belair..........legal (no seatbelts, no mirrors either)

On my Dually, it's a "commercial vehicle". I can mount the plate on the front bumper and it's not mandatory to light it up...

[Elbow]

It's the USA, do whatever you want, there is no justice system.

[Theycall_Metue]

It's the USA, do whatever you want, there is no justice system

lol this is some what true

[tnomud]

It's the USA, do whatever you want, there is no justice system.

drive down here for a day or two......

[Nittanys1]

As far as I know, it is illegal to alter/block any part of your license plate. Later, QD.

not true. there was someone on here a few years ago that had the county blocked by their frame and was pulled over for it but wasn't written a ticket because its not illegal to cover it with a frame.

[J-ROCK]

the first one is pretty cool havent seen that done before

[allout13]

not true. there was someone on here a few years ago that had the county blocked by their frame and was pulled over for it but wasn't written a ticket because its not illegal to cover it with a frame.

I was pulled over for having a tinted tag, and the officer told me that anything covering the tag including frames were illegal. my brother was pulled over for a frame as well just a couple weeks ago, but he was let off with a warning

[5speed]

The light up thing is pretty awesome. That should be legal so your tag is more visible.

[Elbow]

drive down here for a day or two......

Down where?

[tnomud]

Down where?

Peachtree City, they are bad about that here. I have been stopped/warned for county being covered.............it is indeed illegal, I have a ticket on my "wall of shame" for it.....

my legal tag on my BelAir...

[Nittanys1]

^then you didnt know the law and got taken! Its not illegal to cover the county........

[MeFryRice]

Instead of spreading false information, how about some of you read the law book...

Yes, it is illegal to obscure the view of any part of the license plate; just because your buddy Billy Blow doesn't get pulled over or cited for it does not make it legal.
It is illegal to remove the county tag sticker on the standard tag (obviously the specialty tags do not fall in this category since they do not have a spot for the county tag).

Give me a second and I'll see if I can post up the code section for the license plates...

[MR2DR]

Give me a second and I'll see if I can post up the code section for the license plates...

code would be GREATLY appreciated!

[e30pwr]

As far as I know, it is illegal to alter/block any part of your license plate. Later, QD.

this man knows it. All your license plate frames from what I have heard are illegal too.

[MR2DR]

is that a tinted license plate cover i see? ^^^ ?

[e30pwr]

is that a tinted license plate cover i see? ^^^ ?

indeed, cover and surround, i've only been hassled once for it. when i was pulled over, then searched for drugs, which was fun to say the least. i'm sure your car is 100% legal too.

[tnomud]

O.C.G.A. § 40-2-8 (Copy w/ Cite)
Pages: 3



O.C.G.A. § 40-2-8


GEORGIA CODE
Copyright 2009 by The State of Georgia
All rights reserved.

*** Current through the 2009 Regular Session ***

TITLE 40. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 2. REGISTRATION AND LICENSING OF MOTOR VEHICLES
ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

O.C.G.A. § 40-2-8 (2009)

§ 40-2-8. Operation of unregistered vehicle or vehicle without current license plate, revalidation decal, or county decal; storage of unlicensed vehicle; jurisdiction; display of temporary plate; revision and extension of temporary plate; holographic security images; disposition of fines

(a) Any person owning or operating any vehicle described in Code Section 40-2-20 on any public highway or street without complying with that Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, provided that a person shall register his or her motor vehicle within 30 days after becoming a resident of this state. Any person renting, leasing, or loaning any vehicle described in Code Section 40-2-20 which is being used on any public highway or street without complying with that Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of $100.00 for each violation; and each day that such vehicle is operated in violation of Code Section 40-2-20 shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.
(b)(1) Any vehicle operated in the State of Georgia which is required to be registered and which does not have attached to the rear thereof a numbered license plate and current revalidation decal affixed to a corner or corners of the license plate as designated by the commissioner, if required, shall be stored at the owner's risk and expense by any law enforcement officer of the State of Georgia, unless such operation is otherwise permitted by this chapter.
(2)(A) It shall be a misdemeanor to operate any vehicle required to be registered in the State of Georgia without a valid numbered license plate properly validated, unless such operation is otherwise permitted under this chapter; and provided, further, that the purchaser of a new vehicle or a used vehicle may operate such vehicle on the public highways and streets of this state without a current valid license plate during the period within which the purchaser is required by Code Section 40-2-20 to register such vehicle; but the purchaser of any vehicle from a dealer of new or used motor vehicles shall display a temporary plate issued as provided by subparagraph (B) of this paragraph on the rear of such vehicle in the space provided for a license plate when such vehicle is operated on the public highways and streets of this state during such period prior to registration, unless such purchaser has made application to transfer to such vehicle in accordance with this chapter a valid license plate issued to him or her, in which event the license plate to be transferred shall be displayed on the vehicle during the period prior to registration, or unless such vehicle is to be registered under the International Registration Plan.
(B)(i) Any dealer of new or used motor vehicles shall issue to the purchaser of a vehicle at the time of sale thereof, unless at such time the purchaser makes application to transfer to such vehicle in accordance with this chapter a valid license plate issued to him or her or unless such vehicle is to be registered under the International Registration Plan, a temporary plate which may bear the dealer's name and location and shall bear, in characters not less than one-quarter of an inch wide and one and one-half inches high, the expiration date of the period within which the purchaser is required by Code Section 40-2-20 to register such vehicle. Such temporary plates shall be made of heavy stock paper, inscribed with indelible ink, and designed to resist deterioration or fading due to exposure to the elements during the period for which display is required. The expiration date, the vehicle identification number, and the year, make, and model of the vehicle shall be handprinted on the plate at the time of issuance by use of an indelible ink marker, with contrasting ink, provided that the month of expiration shall be indicated by complete word or by three-letter abbreviation thereof. The expiration date of such a temporary plate may be revised and extended by the county tag agent only if an extension of the purchaser's initial registration period has been granted as provided by Code Section 40-2-20. Such temporary plate shall not resemble a license plate issued by this state and shall be issued without charge or fee therefor. Such temporary plate shall be surrendered to the tag agent at the time the vehicle is registered, and the tag agent shall destroy such temporary plate. The requirements of this subparagraph do not apply to a dealer whose primary business is the sale of salvage motor vehicles and other vehicles on which total loss claims have been paid by insurers.

(ii) All temporary plates issued by dealers to purchasers of vehicles shall be of a standard design prescribed by regulation promulgated by the department in accordance with the requirements of this subparagraph. All temporary plates shall be required to have a holographic security image and a write-resistant overlay with security features such that any attempt to change or modify the expiration date on the temporary plate will show immediate signs of tampering. All holographic security images required under this division and manufactured on or after July 1, 2005, shall be numbered with a separate and distinct number at the point of manufacture. All holographic security images affixed to temporary plates on or after January 1, 2006, shall be numbered as required by this division.

(3) All sellers and distributors of holographic strips must register with the department and shall be assigned a distinct identifier by the department. Such identifier shall precede the numbers required under division (b)(2)(B)(ii) of this Code section. All sellers and distributors of holographic security images must maintain an inventory record of holographic security images by number and purchaser.

(4) The purchaser and operator of a vehicle shall not be subject to the penalties set forth in this Code section during the period allowed for the registration. If the owner of such vehicle presents evidence that such owner has properly applied for the registration of such vehicle, but that the license plate or revalidation decal has not been delivered to such owner, then the owner shall not be subject to the above penalties.

(c) It shall be unlawful and punishable as for a misdemeanor to operate any vehicle required to be registered in the State of Georgia without a valid county decal designating the county where the vehicle was last registered, unless such operation is otherwise permitted under this chapter. Any person convicted of such offense shall be punished by a fine of $25.00 for a first offense and $100.00 for a second or subsequent such offense. However, a county name decal shall not be required if there is no space provided for a county name decal on the current license plate.

[tnomud]

Section C ^^^^^

[tnomud]

^then you didnt know the law and got taken! Its not illegal to cover the county........

Ballz...........you can suck em

[MR2DR]

Oh don't get me wrong, not trying to call you out or anything, just saying =P

indeed, cover and surround, i've only been hassled once for it. when i was pulled over, then searched for drugs, which was fun to say the least. i'm sure your car is 100% legal too.

so basically if your tag has a space for it, it's required.. werd.

[Nittanys1]

the doesn't say that it is illegal to "cover" it with a frame. it just says that there much be one ON the plate......

[tnomud]

the doesn't say that it is illegal to "cover" it with a frame. it just says that there much be one ON the plate......

Whatever, you know what they are getting at......... covered/on.......... it means "put a fucking county on your plate where cops can see it", no matter how its phrased

[Nittanys1]

nope, not by the law. it DOENS'T SAY "COVERED" therefor you CAN dispute the ticket and WILL win. I know this for a fact..... don't get your panties in a wad because your proved yourself wrong.

[andrewu]

if the county being covered is illegal then most dealerships are full of criminals becuz there are a lot of places that hav those on the car when u buy it. that light thing is cool as hell and i want one.

[tnomud]

nope, not by the law. it DOENS'T SAY "COVERED" therefor you CAN dispute the ticket and WILL win. I know this for a fact..... don't get your panties in a wad because your proved yourself wrong.

I could really give a rats ass about it, they are covered by a frame on two of 4 of my vehicles. All I am saying is that I got a ticket for it, that's the code on the ticket. I am well educated on the law here in so many ways it will make you head spin. It's a dumb thing to battle in court. Who the heck cares if its on there or not? (besides cops)

[Nittanys1]

I agree, plus why do the cops even care?

[G.C]

i.a, they nose too much!!