Ok, license plate covers -- is there any other reason to have them than to prevent someone from reading the plate?

[AndrewR]

Honestly, I can't see why people feel the need to have license plate covers, especially tinted ones, and I know they are illegal in some states (no idea if they are in Ohio or not). What's the reason? The only thing I can figure is to avoid having your plate read in case you are doing something wrong.

Am I missing something?

 

[HaxorNubcake]

works really well against photo radar

 

[Shawn]

I had one because it came with the frame. It started to yellow though so I tossed it.

 

[Pepsi90919]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automatic_number_plate_recognition

 

[Bryophyte]

Other uses are keeping the plates clean so you don't have to scrub them when washing the car and slowing down those bastards that steal your registration stickers. The plate covers are illegal here.

Edit: typo

 

[mugs]

I can't imagine that they'd be legal in any state, because they pretty much make the plate unreadable at night at the distance required by law.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
Other uses are keeping the plates clean so you don't have to scrub them when washing the car and slowing down those bastards that steal your registration stickers. The plate covers are illegal here.

Edit: typo

Is registration sticker theft such a big deal? Never heard of it, actually.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: mugs
I can't imagine that they'd be legal in any state, because they pretty much make the plate unreadable at night at the distance required by law.

Heck, I see a lot that are unreadable at most distances DURING THE DAY!

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
Other uses are keeping the plates clean so you don't have to scrub them when washing the car and slowing down those bastards that steal your registration stickers. The plate covers are illegal here.

Edit: typo

Is registration sticker theft such a big deal? Never heard of it, actually.

ever wonder why alot of beaters have their plates inside the rear window?

Ghetto = steal anything.

 

[FeuerFrei]

I believe plate covers are legal in Ohio. I had them on my car there until 2005.

I still have tinted covers here in Texas, but they are illegal. Cop gave a warning on them.

They do help keep your plates in good condition. IMO a glossy tinted cover just improves their look, blends them with the car.

 

[cavemanmoron]

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Honestly, I can't see why people feel the need to have license plate covers, especially tinted ones, and I know they are illegal in some states (no idea if they are in Ohio or not). What's the reason? The only thing I can figure is to avoid having your plate read in case you are doing something wrong.

Am I missing something?

Illegal in NY State nowadays.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: cavemanmoron

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Honestly, I can't see why people feel the need to have license plate covers, especially tinted ones, and I know they are illegal in some states (no idea if they are in Ohio or not). What's the reason? The only thing I can figure is to avoid having your plate read in case you are doing something wrong.

Am I missing something?

Illegal in NY State nowadays.

Really? I see them a lot around Buffalo.

Also...stealing registration stickers? I thought they went on the windshield inside. Must be a NY thing.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Rock Hydra

Originally posted by: cavemanmoron

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Honestly, I can't see why people feel the need to have license plate covers, especially tinted ones, and I know they are illegal in some states (no idea if they are in Ohio or not). What's the reason? The only thing I can figure is to avoid having your plate read in case you are doing something wrong.

Am I missing something?

Illegal in NY State nowadays.

Really? I see them a lot around Buffalo.

Also...stealing registration stickers? I thought they went on the windshield inside. Must be a NY thing.

Look more closely at plates, many out of state plates have the expiration month/year on the plate. In NY, there's a sticker on the plates of trailers (boat trailers, etc.) that gives the expiration date as well.

 

[Rock Hydra]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Rock Hydra

Originally posted by: cavemanmoron

Originally posted by: AndrewR
Honestly, I can't see why people feel the need to have license plate covers, especially tinted ones, and I know they are illegal in some states (no idea if they are in Ohio or not). What's the reason? The only thing I can figure is to avoid having your plate read in case you are doing something wrong.

Am I missing something?

Illegal in NY State nowadays.

Really? I see them a lot around Buffalo.

Also...stealing registration stickers? I thought they went on the windshield inside. Must be a NY thing.

Look more closely at plates, many out of state plates have the expiration month/year on the plate. In NY, there's a sticker on the plates of trailers (boat trailers, etc.) that gives the expiration date as well.

Oh yeah, I do remember now. It's like a yellow sticker or something?

 

[rbV5]

I use them because they give my vehicles a cleaner finished look. I've been told by the cops that they are illegal here in Oregon, but I've never been ticketed or hassled about it. The only time you can't read them is when its frosty.

 

[Christobevii3]

Cleaning dead bugs off the front license plate blows

 

[Ronstang]

I know people that use them to protect their classic license plates from damage or theft. Depending on the state you reside in if your car is old enough you can run plates from the year your car was actually manufactured. I have an original 1957 steel Dealer license plate on my T-Bird but since it is a rear tag and the car does not see a lot of use I do not use a cover on it. I also have 4 sets of brand new never been issued Texas 1966 plates and one 1966 dealer tag. You have to run the front plates if they were issued in a set and if you plan to drive your car the front plates can get beat up rather quickly. It is better to run a protective cover than ruin 40+ year old brand new license plates that you would then have to either restore yourself or pay someone to restore.....just to do it again if you drive your car and don't have a cover. Original never issued plates can be quite expensive these days depending upon the year you require.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Christobevii3
Cleaning dead bugs off the front license plate blows

ain't going to be easier on a cover that much...just wax it.

 

[Bryophyte]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
Other uses are keeping the plates clean so you don't have to scrub them when washing the car and slowing down those bastards that steal your registration stickers. The plate covers are illegal here.

Edit: typo

Is registration sticker theft such a big deal? Never heard of it, actually.

ever wonder why alot of beaters have their plates inside the rear window?

Ghetto = steal anything.

Registering a car in Oregon and Washington is really cheap, so it's not a problem here, but I heard a ton of stories when I lived in California about stickers getting stolen because of the cost of registering a car down there.

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: Bryophyte

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: AndrewR

Originally posted by: Bryophyte
Other uses are keeping the plates clean so you don't have to scrub them when washing the car and slowing down those bastards that steal your registration stickers. The plate covers are illegal here.

Edit: typo

Is registration sticker theft such a big deal? Never heard of it, actually.

ever wonder why alot of beaters have their plates inside the rear window?

Ghetto = steal anything.

Registering a car in Oregon and Washington is really cheap, so it's not a problem here, but I heard a ton of stories when I lived in California about stickers getting stolen because of the cost of registering a car down there.

Ah, the joys of California over-regulation!