New Arizona license plate law for 2009
Just in case you haven’t heard, Arizona’s new license plate frame law prohibits drivers from obscuring the state name listed on a license plate. If your license plate cover is obscuring the name of the state, you could be breaking that law right now.
In Arizona, there are at least 60 different designs and specialty license plates on the road. It’s likely your license plate cover may not fit the plate you have.
Obscure the state on yours, and you could be facing a $135 fine in Phoenix; it’s $160 in Tucson. And you may have to add court fees.
The law was created for law enforcement officers and witnesses to easily identify the state to which a car is licensed.
Before you get back on the road today, it might be a good idea to check your plate. If you can’t see the name, Arizona, if it’s only halfway obscured, or if you’re just unsure, remove the cover. You don’t want an officer making that decision for you.
Will they stop you just for this violation? Probably not. But why take the chance?
Out-of-state plates are exempt from this law, which took effect on January 1.
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Phoenix, AZ
January 14th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll have to check mine since I’d rather not have to pay a fine.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:14 am
1) The law was created for law enforcement officers and witnesses to easily identify the state to which a car is licensed.
2) Out-of-state plates are exempt from this law
Don’t these two statements contradict each other? So if someone from Arizona breaks the law they can “easily be identified”. Good luck if it is an out of state plate. Sounds like just another lame excuse for the police to pull you over and give you a ticket and possibly tack more violations on. Another easy revenue source for the government!
January 21st, 2009 at 10:18 am
It would seem the reason for the law provided contradicts itself…
“The law was created for law enforcement officers and witnesses to easily identify the state to which a car is licensed.”
“Out-of-state plates are exempt from this law”
Hmmm… could it be the law was really created to generate more revenue for the State? It’s just a thought.
January 21st, 2009 at 10:53 am
How about instead of passing this new law, they outlaw the 60 different plate designs? I don’t recognize any AZ plates unless they are the standard plates or university plates. I hope I don’t get in a situation where I can read the number and not the state (state letters are smaller and harder to read), because then I will not be of any help to the officers due to all the different designs!