New York drivers must make sure that there are no obstructions blocking a clear view of their license plates. If a police officer notices anything covering up the plates, the driver will receive a ticket. This could result in potentially serious monetary penalties in the form of fines and higher insurance premiums.

Were you ticketed for driving with obstructed plates? If so, you have the right to challenge the ticket and potentially save yourself significant sums of money. The Central New York attorneys of The New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers are here to represent you.

What Does it Mean to Have Obstructed Plates?

Obstructed or obscured license plates violate New York VTL (Vehicle and Traffic Law) 402-1(b), which:

Requires keeping the license plate clean and in such a condition that it is easily readable
Prohibits covering the license plate with glass or plastic
Prohibits covering or coating the plates with any material or substance that conceals or obscures the plates or distorts a photographic or recorded image of them
Prohibits allowing anything on the vehicle to obstruct a view of the plates, except a receiver transmitter from a government tolling facility

Common Obstructions That May Result in a Ticket

New York drivers can run afoul of the law in various manners, including ways in which they may not even realize. After all, it’s uncommon for drivers to actually look at their plates before driving. Obstructions may result from:

Snow
Dirt
Debris
License plate covers
Frames
Plate flippers
Objects on the vehicle
A bent, damaged, or incorrectly displayed plate

In recent years, some drivers have begun using reflective sprays that make it difficult or impossible for traffic cameras to identify the plates. These sprays appear translucent but reflect the camera flash and thereby obscure the plate. The use of this could earn you a ticket.

Likely Penalties of a VTL 402-1(b) Ticket

You could receive a ticket of at least $50, but possibly up to $500 if you intentionally try to cover your plate to avoid traffic camera detection. The ticket may also result in:

2 points added to your driving record
A Driver Responsibility Assessment of $300 or more if you have over 6 points on your record
Higher automobile insurance premiums

Police agencies are working to crack down on illegally obstructed and obscured plates. Multiple agencies in New York, including NYPD, MTA police, and traffic officers, are collaborating to enforce the law. This means drivers can expect more frequently issued tickets.

What To Do If You Get a Ticket

The law enforcement officer who cites you for an obscured plate may give you the option to fix the problem. However, repeated violations may lead to more fines and penalties. If you receive a ticket, you should take these steps:

Get a picture of the plate as soon as you can, in order to document its present condition
Determine why the plate is obscured, for instance due to snowfall or another vehicle splashing mud on the plate
If you happen to have dashcam footage of the event causing the obstruction, preserve this evidence
Clean, repair, or replace the plate so it is visible and readable
Remove any coverings that may be blocking a clear view of the plate
Make sure the plate is securely fastened to your vehicle

Moving forward, you should inspect your plate each time before you get behind the wheel, and keep it clean and secured. Every New York driver has this duty and will get ticketed if they ignore it for too long.

We Can Help With Your Ticket

The final step you should take is to hire an experienced traffic ticket law firm. In Central New York, that firm is The New York Traffic Ticket Lawyers. Reach out to us today to find out the best way to deal with this or any other ticket.