[havoc]

Know the law next time you get pulled over. I've heard of quite a few fix-it-tickets lately. Even I was trying to follow "rumored regulations". The key thing to take in about the license plates is that is subject to individual interpretation as to what is "clearly visible".

License Plate Codes:

5201. License plates shall at all times be securely fastened to the
vehicle for which they are issued so as to prevent the plates from
swinging, shall be mounted in a position so as to be clearly visible,
and shall be maintained in a condition so as to be clearly legible.
The rear license plate shall be mounted not less than 12 inches nor
more than 60 inches from the ground, and the front license plate
shall be mounted not more than 60 inches from the ground, except as
follows:
(a) through (e) do not apply to motorcycles
(f) No covering may be used on license plates except as follows:
(1) The installation of a cover over a lawfully parked vehicle to
protect it from the weather and the elements does not constitute a
violation of this subdivision. Any peace officer or other regularly
salaried employee of a public agency designated to enforce laws,
including local ordinances, relating to the parking of vehicles may
temporarily remove so much of the cover as is necessary to inspect
any license plate, tab, or indicia of registration on a vehicle.
(2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a
violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or
impair the recognition of the license plate information, including,
but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and
registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over
the top of the registration tabs. No portion of a license plate
security cover shall rest over the license plate number.
(g) No casing, shield, frame, border, or other device that
obstructs or impairs the reading or recognition of a license plate by
a remote emission sensing device, as specified in Sections 44081 and
44081.6 of the Health and Safety Code, shall be installed on, or
affixed to, a vehicle.

5202. Every license plate issued by this State or any other
jurisdiction within or without the United States shall remain
attached during the period of its validity to the vehicle for which
it is issued while being operated within this State or during the
time the vehicle is being held for sale in this State, or until such
time as a vehicle with special or identification plates is no longer
entitled to such plates and no person shall operate, nor shall an
owner knowingly permit to be operated, upon any highway any vehicle
unless the license plate is so attached. Special permits issued in
lieu of plates shall be attached and displayed on the vehicle for
which issued during the period of their validity.

5203. This chapter does not apply to plates which the department
pursuant to law has ordered to be surrendered, transferred to another
vehicle, or removed.

5204. (a) Except as provided by subdivisions (b) and (c), a tab
shall indicate the year of expiration and a tab shall indicate the
month of expiration. Current month and year tabs shall be attached
to the rear license plate assigned to the vehicle for the last
preceding registration year in which license plates were issued, and,
when so attached, the license plate with the tabs shall, for the
purposes of this code, be deemed to be the license plate, except that
truck tractors, and commercial motor vehicles having a declared
gross vehicle weight of 10,001 pounds or more, shall display the
current month and year tabs upon the front license plate assigned to
the truck tractor or commercial motor vehicle. Vehicles that fail to
display current month and year tabs or display expired tabs are in
violation of this section.
(b) The requirement of subdivision (a) that the tabs indicate the
year and the month of expiration does not apply to fleet vehicles
subject to Article 9.5 (commencing with Section 5300) or vehicles
defined in Section 468.
(c) Subdivision (a) does not apply when proper application for
registration has been made pursuant to Section 4602 and the new
indicia of current registration have not been received from the
department.
(d) This section is enforceable against any motor vehicle that is
driven, moved, or left standing upon a highway, or in an offstreet
public parking facility, in the same manner as provided in
subdivision (a) of Section 4000.

5205. The department may make appropriate rules and regulations for
the use and display of stickers or devices issued in lieu of license
plates, and shall publish a summary thereof.


Turn Signal Codes:

24953. (a) Any turn signal system used to give a signal of
intention to turn right or left shall project a flashing white or
amber light visible to the front and a flashing red or amber light
visible to the rear.
(b) Side-mounted turn signal lamps projecting a flashing amber
light to either side may be used to supplement the front and rear
turn signals. Side-mounted turn signal lamps mounted to the rear of
the center of the vehicle may project a flashing red light no part of
which shall be visible from the front.
(c) In addition to any required turn signal lamps, any vehicle may
be equipped with supplemental rear turn signal lamps mounted to the
rear of the rearmost portion of the driver's seat in its rearmost
position.
(d) In addition to any required or authorized turn signal lamps,
any vehicle may be equipped with supplemental rear turn signal lamps
that are mounted on, or are an integral portion of, the outside
rearview mirrors, so long as the lamps flash simultaneously with the
rear turn signal lamps, the light emitted from the lamps is projected
only to the rear of the vehicle and is not visible to the driver
under normal operating conditions, except for a visual indicator
designed to allow monitoring of lamp operation, and the lamps do not
project a glaring light.

 

[Guest]

And:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24952.htm

Visibility Requirements of Signals

24952. A lamp-type turn signal shall be plainly visible and understandable in normal sunlight and at nighttime from a distance of at least 300 feet to the front and rear of the vehicle, except that turn signal lamps on vehicles of a size required to be equipped with clearance lamps shall be visible from a distance of 500 feet during such times.

http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d12/vc24607.htm

Reflectors on Rear 24607. Every vehicle subject to registration under this code shall at all times be equipped with red reflectors mounted on the rear as follows:

(a) Every vehicle shall be equipped with at least one reflector so maintained as to be plainly visible at night from all distances within 350 to 100 feet from the vehicle when directly in front of the lawful upper headlamp beams.....

 

[havoc]

Nice, thanks...

I think if we show officers how educated we are they won't waste their time writing fix-it tickets, especially if they know we'll get them dismissed.

 

[mikespike2]

I think because fix it tickets take a write off, and they are only $10 for unlimited at the station, it's a waste of time to spend extra money to make it legit.

I thought I was going to have to pay $100+ for my two, but I walked in, dropped a $10 bill, and left. How is that supposed to teach us a lesson? Now roll a stop sign though, and it's like $400.

This is very informative though, and I appreciate your writeup.

There is also a section about integrated taillights. It's Section 24252, I believe subsection C or D, I can't look it up right now. They aren't legal!

 

[BiGxbOix510]

Trying to show that you know the law can always backfire though.
I tried reasoning out of a couple and got the "I can tow it and you can walk home" option.
Tow me for no plate light?! (Back roads, middle of the afternoon, clear, sunny + hot)
Are You F*cking Serious?!
My fix it ticket costs me a write-off + $10.
I got the courtesy notice 2 weeks after I was issued the ticket...
What happened to fixing it within 30 days?
I still haven't gotten a word about my Trial by Written Declaration
(5 over the limit) and it's been almost 2 months.

Tripage LED in the pegs somehow doesn't CLEARY let others know my intention to turn....
Tripage FE didn't pass for being "CLEARLY VISIBLE" either.
But I guess that's the price to pay for modding.

 

[mikespike2]

The cops that hassle us are the ones that go back to the station and get in their Saturn. The chill cops know what's up and they know what it's like to ride.

 

[gss1]

When ever we alter away from stock we are liable to get stopped by the police... I got a ticket for removing my rear red reflector that was at the bottom of the rear fender- violation of 24607A VC.

 

[Guest]

I really like this thread. And if you have valuable information that would help educate fellow riders please post up.

 

[TimmEh-]

There is also a section about integrated taillights. It's Section 24252, I believe subsection C or D, I can't look it up right now. They aren't legal!

ya the signals have to be so far apart and have to be so bright and such. i have to remove mine to get it inspected. but right after i get that silly little sticker shes going right back on.

 

[pantablo]

curb parking:

cvc 22502. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this chapter every vehicle stopped or parked upon a roadway where there are adjacent curbs shall be stopped or parked with the right-hand wheels of such vehicle parallel with and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb, except that motorcycles shall be parked with at least one wheel or fender touching the right-hand curb. Where no curbs or barriers bound any roadway, right-hand parallel parking is required unless otherwise indicated.

also related to license plate location:

cvc 5200.
(b) When only one license plate is issued for use upon a vehicle, it shall be attached to the rear thereof, unless the license plate is issued for use upon a truck tractor, in which case the license plate shall be displayed in accordance with Section 4850.5.

this would render the mounting of plates in front of the rear tire (like the CW FE and others) not legal. Also, I've noticed that in pictures, like above, the plate looks visible but when a rider is on the bike and the suspension compresses the license plate may not be visible from 100ft away (or less). I've personally seen plates that were obscured by the rear tire this way. Something to think about.

 

[panda]

Here's a list for Oregon,
Here's the whole vehical lighting list if you want more details.

 

[pAint]

If you live in Cali, don't ever ride to Hunington Beach... the cops are wankers there. I've received 7 fix it tickets there... plates, lights, exhaust, etc...

 

[Falcon600]

OK, I am going to throw myself on the sword here. I am a Cop and can speak to the fix-it ticket issue. First, I ride so I do not sweat the mods. We may stop you for the plate issue, but rarely will scratch a ticket. There are numerous laws that deal with lighting, license plates, etc.. Many mods, for cars as well, are illegal. For cars: modified muffler, front window tint, a changing color of taillights, etc are all illegal. Fix-it tickets are only $10, then you can switch it back the way you had it, if it is a minor thing. A Cop can scratch you a ticket for a plate issue, then make it so you CAN NOT simply fix it. You actually have to go to Court. If you get stopped, suck it up and relax and be courteous. We appreciate that and return the favor. And of course, there are some Cops that will write you no matter what!! That is their job! If anyone has any questions for me regarding this, feel free to ask!!

 

[tripage]

I have a question... Have you ever been given a ticket for your proton signals or your tag location?? What is your take on this when it happens to you?? Thanks. T

 

[Guest]

... If anyone has any questions for me regarding this, feel free to ask!!

How do you personally feel about the use of aftermarket turnsignals? Safe, not safe, no difference?

How the manditory red reflector in the rear?

 

[infamous_6969]

curb parking:



also related to license plate location:


this would render the mounting of plates in front of the rear tire (like the CW FE and others) not legal. Also, I've noticed that in pictures, like above, the plate looks visible but when a rider is on the bike and the suspension compresses the license plate may not be visible from 100ft away (or less). I've personally seen plates that were obscured by the rear tire this way. Something to think about.

What does it matter... Even if it is visible from 5 feet away... while your moving nobody is going to be able to read the small print as is.

 

[pantablo]

funny. tell that to the cop when he pulls you over for not being able to read your license from 100ft.

 

[Falcon600]

Have I ever been given a ticket for my mods?? No. The Proton lights meet requirements: flash, amber, visible from all directions. When you start changing the colors of the lights/lens then you run into problems. As far as the plate goes, it has to be visible. Mounting is not a huge deal, as long as it is visible. I'll admit my plate is under my rear seat. I mean UNDER my rear seat and not mounted! Ruins the look. Have I ever been pulled over....nope. But, I have an advantage in that cops know my bike. Sorry, that sounds shitty...but it is what it is. If I did get pulled over and cited for my plate, it's okay because I know I was in the wrong. I mount it, sign off the ticket and it's all good!!

 

[Hoe-4-Sho]

either you get a cool cop that will let you slide, or one of those pricks that think they rule the world cuz they have a badge and a gun. its like tossing a quater and trying your luck..... best thing to do is not give them reason to be even more of a ****....then they might just let you go with a warning.

 

[blk05600rr]

I was always curious about the light on the tag mine has a light but my friends does not. The lights are bright but not enough to make out a tag from distance but if a cop is behind you the headlights of his car will light it up.

And for the suspension hidding the tag me and my friend were riding and he got pulled over for the same tag as me. he had a passenger and it was enough to hide a portion of the tag.