License Plate

Pennsylvania Vehicle Code

1332. Display of registration plate.

(b) Obscuring plate.--It is unlawful to display on any vehicle a registration plate which:

(1) is so dirty as to prevent the reading of the number or letters thereon at a reasonable distance;

(2) is obscured in any manner which inhibits the proper operation of an automated red light enforcement system in place pursuant to section 3116 (relating to automated red light enforcement systems in first class cities) or 3117 (relating to automated red light enforcement systems in certain municipalities) or any other automated enforcement system authorized by this title or an electronic toll collection system as authorized under 74 Pa.C.S. § 8117 (relating to electronic toll collection);

(3) is otherwise illegible at a reasonable distance or is obscured in any manner; or

(4) is obscured, covered or otherwise obstructed in a manner which inhibits the visibility of the issuing jurisdiction at a reasonable distance.

(c) Penalty for obscured plate.--Any person who violates subsection (b)(2) or (4) commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $100.

In NM the Law says it must be legible and visible. "The plate shall be securely fastened at all times in a fixed horizontal position at a height of not less than twelve inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate. It shall be in a place and position so as to be clearly visible, and it shall be maintained free from foreign material and in a condition to be clearly legible"

It does not say from where it must be visible and I have never heard of anyone with a trailer being stopped for having the plate obscured by what ever is in tow. When my 5er is behind the truck you cannot see the truck plate unless you hunker down under the overhang, but from there it is visible. ;)

Doesn't every truck pulling a trailer or 5er have the rear plate 'obstructed'?
You might get stopped because your trailer doesn't have a plate but not because the LEO can't see the truck plate. From behind there's no way of telling if you're from a state that does not issue light trailer plates, if you had a plate and lost it, or if you are running without a plate. You may get stopped to see why you don't have a plate.
WI is not the only state that does not issue plates for certain trailers. Most LEOs who work traffic know what states those are

I'm from Wisconsin.

When I bought my first lightweight TT, Wisconsin DMV told me the same thing, it doesn't require a plate.

Well I was going to hit the road with the TT traveling south and most certainly was not in the mood to be stopped by every cop in every county I drove thru for no plate.

You DO have the option to buy a plate for it.
The Wisconsin DMV offers this option.

IMHO, JMHO I would buy the plate versus getting stopped every day as you travel.

I bought a plate for the TT even though it was not required.

The bikes and their rack behind our TT block the trailers plate pretty bad. So far, so good with LEO.

Along the lines of obscured plates, how are motorists getting away with the dark black plastic license plate covers? You need a powerful flashlight close up to make out the numbers.

Seeing more and more like this, and heavily tinted front windows.

I live in TN which does not require a plate for a small trailer, like a utility trailer or tow dolly. I have been towing utility trailers and/or tow dollies for 40 years, in multiple states, and never been stopped. Could I be stopped? Absolutely. But when the LEO sees my TN car tags and TN DL, I am free to go.

rockhillmanor wrote:
I'm from Wisconsin.

When I bought my first lightweight TT, Wisconsin DMV told me the same thing, it doesn't require a plate.

Well I was going to hit the road with the TT traveling south and most certainly was not in the mood to be stopped by every cop in every county I drove thru for no plate.

You DO have the option to buy a plate for it.
The Wisconsin DMV offers this option.

IMHO, JMHO I would buy the plate versus getting stopped every day as you travel.

I bought a plate for the TT even though it was not required.

This is the right answer!

DownTheAvenue wrote:

rockhillmanor wrote:
I'm from Wisconsin.

When I bought my first lightweight TT, Wisconsin DMV told me the same thing, it doesn't require a plate.

Well I was going to hit the road with the TT traveling south and most certainly was not in the mood to be stopped by every cop in every county I drove thru for no plate.

You DO have the option to buy a plate for it.
The Wisconsin DMV offers this option.

IMHO, JMHO I would buy the plate versus getting stopped every day as you travel.

I bought a plate for the TT even though it was not required.

This is the right answer!

Pretty sure that registration on a trailer it's only $15 per year.

oregon has similar laws for trailers. Washington basically requires everything to be licensed. I traveled with the oregon legal trailer (motorcycle hauler) to washington quite often. Finally got a oregon plate for it because for whatever reason it gave WA LEO's a supposed reason to stop me. Usually for no plate, even though I think they new oregon didn't require it. Then ask for registration, insurance, make sure lights worked, etc. etc. trying to find an excuse to write a ticket. Never got a ticket, but IMHO it gave them a fake excuse for a stop. Usually got pulled over with an LEO coming up behind me so they wouldn't know I was from oregon and hence completely legal in WA. But once stopped, all the reason to hassle me.