What's the point of a tinted license plate cover?

[mugs]

I don't think it's cosmetic, because I've seen them on light-colored cars... is it so people can't read your plate number? Aren't they illegal most places anyway? Or probably everywhere if they obscure your license plate enough that it can't be read from a reasonable distance at night.

 

[fatbaby]

i think its for speed. Performance license plates add on average about 50hp.

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: fatbaby
i think its for speed. Performance license plates add on average about 50hp.

type R sticker doubles it right off.

 

[Heisenberg]

I think most people use them for either cosmetic reasons, or to reduce the visibility of the plate. You could argue they protect the plate, but you don't need a tinted one to do that. I was thinking about getting one because my car is black, so it would give it a little cleaner look.

 

[Rastus]

Some of them are to defeat photo radar.

 

[MistaTastyCakes]

I hear those bad boys and a couple bottles of NAAWWWWWSSSS will give you the edge when street racing your pimped out Geo Metro!

 

[Ylen13]

Originally posted by: Rastus
Some of them are to defeat photo radar.

having a new car with no plates works better

 

[alkemyst]

you always need plates even if it is a temporary tag, it must be visible.

Most of these covers are to make the plate unreadable, and tinted covers are illegal I think almost everywhere. It's the same as having your plate in the rear window behind tinted glass.

It's not too enforced though, unless you are pulled over for something else.

 

[Ylen13]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
you always need plates even if it is a temporary tag, it must be visible.

Most of these covers are to make the plate unreadable, and tinted covers are illegal I think almost everywhere. It's the same as having your plate in the rear window behind tinted glass.

It's not too enforced though, unless you are pulled over for something else.

no temp plates in california

 

[Cat]

I think it's because some don't let light through at an angle, thus defeating camera-enforced red lights.

 

[BatmanNate]

It's harder for other drivers/cops/cameras to see your plate numbers. They are illegal in this state.

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: Rastus
Some of them are to defeat photo radar.

Mud would do the same thing, and its legal.

Actually, tinted plate covers were illegal here in Ontario untill a few years ago. Not sure what the status is now. I believe it had something to do with laser radar not being able to get a proper fix on the plate.

Now they are going after those tinted headlight covers. Those are illegal here and they are starting to enforce it.

 

[littleman]

definetely illegal in CA, i got pulled over for one, even though I bought it at Rice*pep* boys.
those bastages, shouldn't be selling em.

 

[alkemyst]

tinted headlight and taillight covers are also illegal.

PepBoys sells them because no one follows the rules and also people with show cars like them.

Analogy is the same as they shouldn't sell guns if you can't go rob the 7-11 with it.