Rainman said:
I got a ticket for this in Ottawa. They gave me 72 hrs to have the ticket waived if I took the covers off. They were clear yellow as I had a yellow MSP at the time. When I took the covers in to the police station, the cop at the desk asked me what asshole gave me the ticket. It is a law that you cannot have anything covering the plate, however it is at the discretion of the officer in question. As my plate covers were completely clear, the officer at the station felt that the ticketing officer was simply being a dick because the car was lowered and modded with a big wing and loud exhaust (only 3 yellow MSPs in Ottawa-Hull, and less than 10 in total in any colour in the area).
Anyway, I kept the plate covers off for about a year. Then after seeing hundreds of people driving around with them I put them back on. At this point I had the MS6 and my wife was driving the MSP. She got
pulled over a ticketed as well. Same deal for her, but it was me that spent another 2 hrs of my life waiting in line at the cop shop to show them the covers. Arrrggghhh. Complete bulls***, but at the officer's discretion nonetheless.
At one time I was gonna look up the actual Traffic Act section pertaining to this so that I could argue my case, but not enough hours in the day for this.
I purchased them at Canadian Tire so I figured that they would be OK, but apparently not. I also plan sometime to make Canadian Tire aware that they are selling something that legally cannot be placed on a licensed vehicle.
Bottom line, you are probably less likely to get hassled if you take them off.
R
Thanks for the advice Rainman. And I'll probably take it. I got stopped exiting the 401 in Oshawa, I think the cop wasn't impressed with the fact that I was obviously not intimidated by him. When he asked if I'd been drinking, I said "not this cat" and that's when his attitude kicked in. I can't stand officers that only became cops to scare people and get respect instead of protecting the public like they should be doing.
Anyway, here's an excerpt from the traffic act, nothing about tinted covers, only things obstructing electronic devices. I might just keep a copy of this in the car and leave the plate covers on, maybe.
Violations as to number plates
12. (1) Every person who,
(a) defaces or alters any number plate, evidence of validation or permit;
(b) uses or permits the use of a defaced or altered number plate, evidence of validation or permit;
(c) without the authority of the permit holder, removes a number plate from a motor vehicle or trailer;
(d) uses or permits the use of a number plate upon a vehicle other than a number plate authorized for use on that vehicle;
(e) uses or permits the use of evidence of validation upon a number plate displayed on a motor vehicle other than evidence of validation furnished by the Ministry in respect of that motor vehicle; or
(f) uses or permits the use of a number plate or evidence of validation other than in accordance with this Act and the regulations,
is guilty of an offence and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or to both, and in addition the persons licence or permit may be suspended for not more than six months. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 12 (1).
Number plates, further violations
No other numbers to be exposed
13. (1) No number other than that upon the number plate furnished by the Ministry shall be exposed on any part of a motor vehicle or trailer in such a position or manner as to confuse the identity of the number plate. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 13 (1).
Number plate to be kept clean
(2) Every number plate shall be kept free from dirt and obstruction and shall be affixed so that the entire number plate, including the numbers, is plainly visible at all times, and the view of the number plate shall not be obscured or obstructed by spare tires, bumper bars, any part of the vehicle, any attachments to the vehicle or the load carried. 1994, c. 27, s. 138 (7).
Obstruction prohibited
(3) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using a photo-radar system. 1993, c. 31, s. 2 (5).
Same
(3.0.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using a red light camera system. 1998, c. 38, s. 2 (1).
Same
(3.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device or material that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being identified by an electronic toll system. 1996, c. 1, Sched. E, s. 2 (1).
Offence
(4) Every person who contravenes subsection (2), (3), (3.0.1) or (3.1) is guilty of an offence. 1993, c. 31, s. 2 (5); 1996, c. 1, Sched. E, s. 2 (2); 1998, c. 38, s. 2 (2).
