Topic: IS VERTICAL MOUNTING OF PLATES LEGAL IN PA

[cb650 bobber]

i WAS JUST WONDERING. I AM IN PA AND REALLY WANT TO MOUNT MY PLATES VERITICAL BUT DONT WANT TO GET HASSELED BY THE FUZZ.

[JLeather]

Well, techincally "vertical mounting" isn't illegal in any state.  Most state laws read something along the lines of "The plate must be visible, unobstructed, well-lit, etc".  To my knowledge vertical tag mounts aren't specifically prohibited anywhere.  BUT, there's always a catch.  Cops can claim that your vertical tag makes it hard to read.  I've rode with a vertical tag, been pulled over for other stuff, and no one's commented.  But if the cop's had a bad day or you're a jerk to him he can technically tack on an inspection ticket for a vertical tag under teh "hard to read" guise.  Same as not having a light.  I say go for it.  Long as the bike's legal, titled properly, not speeding, etc it'll be fine.  I don't know anyone who's been pulled over just for a vertical tag.

[Geeto67]

As far as I know is it illegal in every state. While there is no statute specifically saying you cannot mount your plate vertically it is generally covered under statutes requiring that license plates be readable. Most states have at least one case on the books declaring an upsidedown or sideways mounted license plate unreadable and therefore covered by the statute.

In NY it is a seperate offense in Nassau and suffolk while in the city boroughs usually it is license plate dysplayed improperly where the officer writes in that the license plate is sideways (BTW mounting your front plate in your windshield is also covered by this statute).

There is a statute in most jusridicitons that a license plate light is required also. However it is sometimes covered under the general unreadable license plate statutes as well.

These are general offenses and not motorcycle specific which is why they don't really show up on sites detailing motorcycle specific laws.

As far as getting hassled by the cops well....that kind of depends on the cops. If you live in a bike heavy area (daytona bike week excluded) and they are used to seeing it, they might be less inclined to pull up over or write you up. Best way to find out is find a rider in your area who already has his plate mounted that way and ask him if he has been hassled. BTW, if you are riding like a douchebag or your bike is excessivley loud and obnoxious you are going to get hassled eventually no matter what - it is just a matter of how many "other" tickets the officer is planning on writing you.

[ProTeal55]

It is Illegal in most states (i know it is here in Illinois), just depends on if the cop behind you knows it's illegal  I have been running around with a vertical plate on my bikes for years and never had an issue..

[SD750F]

Correction, it is illegal to your plates mounted vertical in South Dakota. A ticket, fine, and signoff required if pulled over. Then the police officer will "review" the entire bike and cite for non DOT lights and what ever else he officer finds.

Scott

[merc2dogs]

 Even where it is illegal, it should be just a repair and report, straighten it up and have it inspected and you're good to go.
  Had a chopped 68 triumph with the plate mounted on a cross bar with a bolt through the center holding it to the light bracket, with a little push the plate would swivel on that bolt. So when I got stopped I would tell them it must have gotten bumped and then push it horizontal, and they'd say OK. Get down the road a bit and push it back. I didn't build it for that reason, but it worked nicely.

  Also, a lot depends on the Cop, and on the way the bike 'looks' if it doesn't fit in with the overall look of the bike they'll pull you over. But if it fits in well overall they'll often ignore it.
 
  Had a sleeper mustang, well built 351 with a slightly loud exhaust, quiet compared to other hotrods, but louder than stock. fairly quiet to about 2000 rpm when she'd start to scream, was ALWAYS getting pulled over for a loud exhaust,   Put mags on it with no other changes and NEVER got pulled over for loud exhaust again simply because looks and sound matched.

Ken.

[silentone]

From http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/067/chapter47/chap47toc.html

§ 47.3. Manner of attachment.

 Every registration plate shall be securely fastened to the vehicle:

   (1)  So as to be clearly visible.

   (2)  In a horizontal position.

   (3)  At a height of not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the registration plate.

   (4)  So as to prevent the registration plate from swinging.

[Geeto67]

I should also add that side mounted license plates are illegal in some states too. I know they are illegal in both NY and Louisiana but I have only known 1 guy in Louisiana to get a summons for it and 2 guys in NY and all three of them were doing other stupid bike tricks at the time. There are so many bikes with side mount plates out there and I rarely hear of people getting hassled just for a sidemount.

Since we are on the subject, mounting the plate in front of the rear tire like some of the sportbike guys do is also illegal. In NY thought that is like asking to be pulled over. LEOs think that the only reason to mount a plate like this is so they can't read it from behind so they love to pop guys for it.

Lately they have also been on a busting kick for guys with vanity plates with lots of Ms, Ws, Ns,and Vs or Is and 1s. In a high speed chase VWMNWMW can look like a squigly line and with I1II1I11I is really hard to distinguish even when you are right on top of it. I think the DMV has pulled this vanity plates but I used to see quite a few of them around NYC last year and the year before.

[Stert]

haha, i have never heard of that vinity plate thing. its a good idea if you dont plan on stopping for those flashing lights every time =)

can they be ticketed for jus having a plate like that, or are they just extra tough on them for it?

[lone*X]

Don't think they care in Texas, half the bikes on the road seem to have side mounted and vertical plates.  As for ticketing a person for having a specific number or letter combination on a state DMV issued vanity plate does not add up.  State law and state DMV always trumps local yocal LEO's. 

[Geeto67]

haha, i have never heard of that vinity plate thing. its a good idea if you dont plan on stopping for those flashing lights every time =)

can they be ticketed for jus having a plate like that, or are they just extra tough on them for it?

they were ticketing for a while claiming the plate is unreadable. If they generate enough complaints the Law enforcement agency can request that the DMV revoke the plate. I have not seen one in a while so my guess is they have revoked those types of plates and are no longer issuing them.

I had a friend whose plate was revoked by the DMV. they don't have a sense of humor about these things. His plate? CDZNUTZ. He told me he told the lady at the DMV when applying he was a big fan of compact discs, he said she looked like she could care less. 

[KB02]

Well, I can tell you that in Vermont, it has been illegal for the plate to be mounted vertically, BUT, it has never been in the inspection manual... until 2008, that is... Which means I'll have to fab up a new holder for my F1.