BATON ROUGE, LA (KSLA) -
Louisiana State Troopers are beginning an aggressive campaign to address obscured license plates.
State police say the enforcement effort is in response to complaints from citizens and drivers throughout Louisiana.
So, if the numbers or letters are obstructed in any way, the driver will get a ticket.
Obstructions also can include plate covers that are tinted, blurred or mirrored. Also, plates that are not lit properly with a white light are likely to invite inspection if not a citation.
The charge would be "Improper Display of Plate." The citation fine would vary by parish and city court, but on average could be from $100 to $200. The State Patrol receives no revenue off of ticket collection. All fines and collections go to parish courts.
Specifically the law requires that "permanent registration license plates assigned to a trailer, semitrailer, motorcycle, or other motor vehicle shall be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle and remain clearly visible and free from any foreign material."
In addition to naturally occurring obscurements such as roadway dirt or mud, license plates must also remain free of any novelty frames or plate covers that hamper visibility and prevent the entire plate from being readable.
"The use of aftermarket covers for license tags has increased considerably in Louisiana. Most drivers are probably unaware that by using such covers or decorative lights they are probably in violation of the law. We are urging them to remove the aftermarket products now before being cited," State Police Superintendent Colonel Mike Edmonson said.
Law enforcement officers say they routinely depend on registration information obtained from license plates while conducting traffic stops.
For more information regarding specific enforcement activities and safety campaigns in your area, please contact your local LSP Public Information Officer at www.lsp.org/public.html.
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