[RESOLVED] cutting plates and legality

[motozachl]

first off i borrowed talontsiboy24, picture because i don't have a current picture right now at this angle
ok so currently i have my plates like picture #1. i was wondering if it was ok to cut your plates to look like picture #2 (cut the top and bottom off, looking like euro plates)???? also i live in ohio if this has any factor. thanks

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[DSM4me44]

The law requires a front plate here in Ohio. Now whether that means lisence plate or not, is the question. I know some people here run those special graphic plates you can buy at autozone. Me personally, I don't run a front plate at all. i used to put my front plate in my front windshield but I got pulled over and the officer said that he couldn't see it because it wasn't on the front of my car. So my solution was to not run a front plate at all and I haven't been pulled over since for it. However, a front plate is the law, I don't know any more details then that. I have seen one person run a plate that you want to around here.

 

[motozachl]

i have done both plateless and in the window and have been pulled over for both thus i have the plate right now like #1. i just don't really see the point to this big billboard on the front of my car when all i really need is the numbers/letters. i just want to know if anyone here knows for sure if this would be legal or not?

 

[Blurred Talon]

In know in the Province of Ontario it's legal to modify your plate in anyway, shape or form. I'd imagine it would be the same in most Provinces/States.

 

[Hubbard 0]

It's more then likely illegal to modify it all. I think license plates are considered government property so you can't mod them. Here in IL they require front plates also and I've seen people fold their plates on the top and bottom to make them smaller. I've also seen someone paint the top and bottom parts black so it blends better into the bumper.

I'd say your taking a risk cutting it though.

 

[ctcare89]

If you've already been pulled over twice for your front plate, do you really want to take the risk of getting pulled over again?
I'd say leave it on the bumper, but off to the side like the pic. As far as legality, I would agree that it's most likely considered government property and thus cannot be modified. But I haven't found any laws supporting that yet.

 

[badabing33a]

They are government property yes but you purchased it. Now what happens if something happend to it? Like your were in a small accident that f*ucked up the plate or you lost it down the highway or you were bump drafting on the interstate . Do you buy another plate that has the same identification as the old one or would you have to buy a brand new plate(s)? Either way, you would have to buy another plate so if you mod it, why would you get in trouble? The officer or state would just make you buy another plate. Im lucky, here in PA, we dont need a front plate.

 

[Hubbard 0]

Because there is a difference between a crushed and mangled plate from an accident and one that has had 50% of it cut off, especially in a cops mind.

 

[mindset]

Down in Akron I talked to this guy with an Evo and he had his plate on the passenger visor, and it was flipped down. Understand? And he told me that he gets pulled over all the time and says, "There's no stock location from the factory, and I have cooling issues with my car." Because of the FMIC. He said it worked every time so far.

 

[ctcare89]

Ohio's definition of a license plate:
Lawriter - ORC - 4503.22 Specifications for license plates.
I would say if it doesn't include all of that, they would be free to ticket you for not having a license plate as it wouldn't be within the definition.

 

[badabing33a]

Yea i was going to say put it in yor car on the windshield and say yiu took it off since the car was overheating.

 

[Fotowntalon]

If i where you i would just go to your local police station and ask them about it. Just say you were trying to keep your car as "clean" looking as possible, yet want to remain within the legal limit. They cant give ya any gripe for wanting to remain a law abiding citizen =P

If ya follow my advice let em know how it turns out, cause i would like to know the answer sense we live in the same state.

 

[Defiant]

Defacing license plates is illegal. You will give bored cops something to do to you and your little racer car.

 

[motozachl]

If i where you i would just go to your local police station and ask them about it. Just say you were trying to keep your car as "clean" looking as possible, yet want to remain within the legal limit. They cant give ya any gripe for wanting to remain a law abiding citizen =P

If ya follow my advice let em know how it turns out, cause i would like to know the answer sense we live in the same state.

i think i'll do this when i get a free day and will come back with results

...You will give bored cops something to do to you and your little racer car...

yeah it just gives them another excuse to pull you over for nothing then try and find something else while pulled over

Ohio's definition of a license plate:
Lawriter - ORC - 4503.22 Specifications for license plates.
I would say if it doesn't include all of that, they would be free to ticket you for not having a license plate as it wouldn't be within the definition.

it says nothing about modding its dimensions, only that it must have the letter/numbers and the birthplace of aviation z.

 

[Fotowntalon]

I have had an idea for license plates, althought to prewarn ya I'm not sure if it would look neat or horrid.

Measure out the dimensions of letters and, i guess for ohio, would have to be the "birthplace of aviation" part aswell, then cut that into your bumper. Then mount your license plate behind it, so that all the visable parts needed are showing through, and almost raised up, but only the minimum amount is shown. Also wouldn't be any defacement to the license plate.. only your car. Would look very neat if done right if you had a custom license plate, as opposed to the random number/letter system.

I dont know, just a random idea I had, if anyone does this/has done it, post a pic please! Or even a photoshopped pic.

 

[qnz]

Defacing license plates is illegal. You will give bored cops something to do to you and your little racer car.

This is the answer.

you cannot chop off the top and bottom of your plate the same reason you cannot turn the C's into O's, and S's into 8's, etc. Law enforcement also needs to see what state the car's plate is registered in.

 

[motozachl]

I have had an idea for license plates, althought to prewarn ya I'm not sure if it would look neat or horrid.

Measure out the dimensions of letters and, i guess for ohio, would have to be the "birthplace of aviation" part aswell, then cut that into your bumper. Then mount your license plate behind it, so that all the visable parts needed are showing through, and almost raised up, but only the minimum amount is shown. Also wouldn't be any defacement to the license plate.. only your car. Would look very neat if done right if you had a custom license plate, as opposed to the random number/letter system.

I dont know, just a random idea I had, if anyone does this/has done it, post a pic please! Or even a photoshopped pic.

hmmm that would definetly be unique, but not sure i'd want to hack that into my bumper

 

[DSM4me44]

Down in Akron I talked to this guy with an Evo and he had his plate on the passenger visor, and it was flipped down. Understand? And he told me that he gets pulled over all the time and says, "There's no stock location from the factory, and I have cooling issues with my car." Because of the FMIC. He said it worked every time so far.

Great idea !

 

[Fotowntalon]

This is the answer.

you cannot chop off the top and bottom of your plate the same reason you cannot turn the C's into O's, and S's into 8's, etc. Law enforcement also needs to see what state the car's plate is registered in.

Chopping off parts with no information on them is completly different than making attempts to change your license plate number.

 

[SmalltownDSMer]

Chopping off parts with no information on them is completly different than making attempts to change your license plate number.

"Chopping off parts" or modifying your plate in any way is ILLEGAL no matter where your from in the states.

Go to your local DMV and ask.