Many car owners appreciate the idea of customizing their vehicles in small ways. Sometimes, this includes getting custom car plates, but some people decide to go with license plate covers. However, these are illegal in many states and New York just followed suit with its new law in order to ensure plates are visible for traffic cams. Specifically, it makes the sale of license plate covers illegal.

Car plates in New York can no longer have covers

Many drivers across the country use covers for their car plates despite being illegal. Now, according to Rochester First, New York has joined other states in outlawing the practice of obscuring license plate covers. This measure was made on September 1st. It includes making the sale of plate covers illegal in the state. 

As most people know, these covers for car plates are often glass or some sort of plastic. Most of them are clear, but they also come in different colors. Many car owners see these as a way to decorate a vehicle. However, the state DMV says otherwise. It says they are primarily used to “distort a camera’s image of the plate, usually to avoid detection or toll collection.” Notably, traffic cams are becoming more common, so using covers for plates would make it easier for bad actors to get away with crimes. 

The punishment for having the covers over car plates in New York is pretty hefty. People who are found to have them can expect a fine of up to $500. They will also have to hand over the cover. People who become repeat offenders could have their vehicle registration suspended for 90 days. 

For more reading, check out our article on the legality of license plate covers.