# License plate laws **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [November 15, 2008, 11:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208 "2008-11-15T11:06:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![snowracer101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@snowracer101](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/snowracer101)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 11:06am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/1 "2008-11-15T11:06:07Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![double\_j](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/double_j/32/7380_2.png) [@double\_j](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/double_j)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 11:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/2 "2008-11-15T11:08:58Z")
Just what you need… more reasons to get pulled over. ---
**Author:** ![RyanA96](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d78d45/32.png) [@RyanA96](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RyanA96)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 11:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/3 "2008-11-15T11:11:47Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 11:11am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/4 "2008-11-15T11:11:52Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![snowracer101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@snowracer101](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/snowracer101)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 11:16am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/5 "2008-11-15T11:16:03Z")
> [@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 ---
**Author:** ![deebo](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/deebo/32/5218_2.png) [@deebo](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/deebo)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 11:17am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/6 "2008-11-15T11:17:58Z")
Thats prob illegal then lol, why dont just get a euro plate? ---
**Author:** ![bigwoode](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bigwoode/32/5175_2.png) [@bigwoode](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bigwoode)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 11:27am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/7 "2008-11-15T11:27:17Z")
My friend has his front plate on his GTP bent and fitted into the front bumper, he doesnt really get any shit for it… ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 12:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/8 "2008-11-15T12:03:46Z")
cutting a plate is against the law. ---
**Author:** ![91CRXSI](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/91crxsi/32/7247_2.png) [@91CRXSI](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/91CRXSI)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/9 "2008-11-15T13:34:18Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![snowracer101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@snowracer101](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/snowracer101)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/10 "2008-11-15T13:47:12Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/11 "2008-11-15T13:47:32Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Bull49](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bull49/32/7381_2.png) [@Bull49](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bull49)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/12 "2008-11-15T14:02:10Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![traumadog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@traumadog](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/traumadog)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/13 "2008-11-15T14:02:12Z")
> [@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. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/14 "2008-11-15T14:04:39Z")
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!!!** ---
**Author:** ![Bull49](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bull49/32/7381_2.png) [@Bull49](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bull49)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 2:10pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/15 "2008-11-15T14:10:38Z")
what would ever lead you to believe that you would be allowed to hack up your license plate any way you wanted? ---
**Author:** ![psphinx81](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e9a140/32.png) [@psphinx81](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/psphinx81)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/16 "2008-11-15T14:16:08Z")
worst idea ever. ---
**Author:** ![snowracer101](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@snowracer101](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/snowracer101)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 2:47pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/17 "2008-11-15T14:47:24Z")
> [@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 ---
**Author:** ![Bull49](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bull49/32/7381_2.png) [@Bull49](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bull49)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/18 "2008-11-15T14:51:26Z")
> [@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? ---
**Author:** ![baseball24](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/baseball24/32/7452_2.png) [@baseball24](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/baseball24)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 3:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/19 "2008-11-15T15:08:29Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![ultradriver10000](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/ultradriver10000/32/7397_2.png) [@ultradriver10000](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ultradriver10000)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2008, 5:03pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208/20 "2008-11-15T17:03:39Z")
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. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/license-plate-laws/58208.md?page=2)