License plate laws

[snowracer101]

What is the law against “modifying” a NY license plate?

I don’t mean changing/altering the numbers, but just a small trim job on the top and bottom of the plate, so all that would be shown is the numbers.

I bet this is illegal, but can someone show me the exact law against it?

[double_j]

Just what you need… more reasons to get pulled over.

[RyanA96]

would you be able to bend it to do what you need or does it have to be cut? i would say bending would be fine but who knows with new york.

[deebo]

it might affect something with them scanning the plates. im sure its illegal

i think he means just like a border along the plate, not actually cutting it

[snowracer101]

@95LS1t

it might affect something with them scanning the plates. im sure its illegal

i think he means just like a border along the plate, not actually cutting it

No i mean cutting it, like into the shape of a euro plate

[deebo]

Thats prob illegal then lol, why dont just get a euro plate?

[bigwoode]

My friend has his front plate on his GTP bent and fitted into the front bumper, he doesnt really get any shit for it…

[Willybeen]

cutting a plate is against the law.

[91CRXSI]

yea you cant just cut it like a euro plate. you’d be able to see the numbers but not the NY part of it.

[snowracer101]

@91CRXSI

yea you cant just cut it like a euro plate. you’d be able to see the numbers but not the NY part of it.

Yeah, this is what i’d like to do, keep the important part and cut off the NY state bs.
I don’t want a “europlate” as those are stupid and illegal, this would just be a trimmed version of a NY plate displaying my actual plate number, and it would fit on the bumper much better.

[LZ1]

I am guessing when you get plates you don’t “own” them the state still does and there is probably a law agaisnt tampering with them.

[Bull49]

@sedlmeier101

Yeah, this is what i’d like to do, keep the important part and cut off the NY state bs.
I don’t want a “europlate” as those are stupid and illegal, this would just be a trimmed version of a NY plate displaying my actual plate number, and it would fit on the bumper much better.

so you want to cut off the part that identifies which state your plate was issued in? great idea. that pretty much makes the fact that you have a plate a moot point.

i think you knew the answer to this question before you asked, at least i hope so. don’t cut your plate.

[traumadog]

@Vehicle and Traffic Law

No person shall operate, drive or park a motor vehicle on the public
highways of this state unless such vehicle shall have a distinctive
number assigned to it by the commissioner and a set of number plates
issued by the commissioner with a number and other identification matter
if any, corresponding to that of the certificate of registration
conspicuously displayed, one on the front and one on the rear of such
vehicle, each securely fastened so as to prevent the same from swinging
and placed, whenever reasonably possible, not higher than forty-eight
inches and not lower than twelve inches from the ground;…

… Number plates shall
be kept clean and in a condition so as to be easily readable and shall
not be covered by glass or any plastic material, and the view thereof
shall not be obstructed by any part of the vehicle or by anything
carried thereon.

Of course, it doesn’t specifically mention cutting the plates, except that:

@(NYSV&TL Section 401

… In the event of the loss, mutilation or
destruction of any certificate of registration, any number plate or set
of number plates whether with or without a date tag or tags, or any date
tag or set of date tags provided for in this article, the owner of a
registered motor vehicle may file such statement and proof of the facts
as the commissioner shall require, with a fee of three dollars, in the
office of the commissioner, or, unless and until the commissioner shall
otherwise direct, in the office of the agent who issued the certificate,
plate, plates, tag or tags and the commissioner or his agent, as the
case may be, shall issue a duplicate or substitute.

So in essence, you could get a “fix-it ticket” for lack of registration/plates until you get a replacement set that actually has “New York” on it.

[JayS]

LOOK AT ME OFFICER! LOOK AT ME! NOT ONLY DO I DRIVE LIKE AN ASSHOLE BUT I MODIFIED MY LICENSE PLATE JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU SEE ME.

LOOK AT ME!!!

[Bull49]

what would ever lead you to believe that you would be allowed to hack up your license plate any way you wanted?

[psphinx81]

worst idea ever.

[snowracer101]

@92slowcivic

what would ever lead you to believe that you would be allowed to hack up your license plate any way you wanted?

to be different, duhhhh

[Bull49]

@sedlmeier101

to be different, duhhhh

i didn’t ask why you would want to do it, i asked what the hell is going on in your brain that would lead you to believe that it would be legal to chop up your new york state issued license plate?

[baseball24]

on another forum someone decided to paint the numbers different on the plate and got pulled over in less then 3 hours of driving…i wouldnt mess with it plus if you get a ticket your going to have to pay that and pay for a new license

[ultradriver10000]

I would just cut away, nys will let you know if it is ok.

I thought about mounting my plate on my front valance, and letting road grind it down.