Chief’s Corner
By Chief Steven J. Wojnar Dudley Police Department I recently received a question relative to motor vehicle license plates. A few weeks ago, I wrote an article which addressed the use of bicycle racks on vehicles that obstruct the view of a license plate. As a follow up to that, a local resident asked a question about license plate holders or decorative brackets for your vehicle’s number plate. I was asked to provide some clarification on what is, or is not, allowed. Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90 Section 6 and the Department of Transportation provide rules and regulations regarding the display of number plates. The General Laws state in part, “number plates shall be kept clean with the numbers legible and shall not be obscured in any manner by the installation of any device obscuring said numbers, and during the period when the vehicle or trailer is required to display lights the rear register number shall be illuminated so as to be plainly visible at a distance of sixty feet.” According to the Massachusetts Registry, license plate frames or holders are not illegal provided they do not cover any part of the writing on the license plates Number plates “shall be undamaged, securely mounted, clean and clearly visible. No bumper, trailer hitch or other accessory may interfere with a clear view of the license plates.” As long as a license plate holder meets these qualifications, they may be permitted. However; in order for a vehicle to pass annual inspection, the plate holder or frame cannot cover or obscure any portion of the writing on the license plate. If this were to occur, the vehicle would not pass inspection and the holder would need to be removed. These situations are decided on a case by case basis by the people operating the inspection stations. Their opinions can differ at times. |
Take a few moments to review your particular situation. If you require clarification on your vehicle, you may want to contact or stop in at your local inspection station, or a Registry of Motor Vehicles office for an opinion.
Thanks again for your questions and comments. Please send them to me at the Dudley Police Department 71 West Main St. Dudley, Ma. 01571 or email at swojnar@dudleypolice.com. Opinions expressed in this weekly column are those of Chief Wojnar only and unless clearly noted, do not reflect the ideas or opinions of any other organization or citizen. |
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