Took the front license plate off....
10-20-2005 | 09:40 AM
#26
my ti
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Originally Posted by Frostee
i was just regurtating information from a news cast a few months ago here. any license plate cover other than a clear one (the ones that at the time were being sold by the ministry of transport), are illegal, and you can be fined for $100 for having them. shortly afterwards, there was talk that all plate covers were no longer legal as even the clear ones were causing problems for red-light cameras.
buddy of mine got a ticket 2 months ago for having plate covers (although his were a smokey-grey), but he was also told that by the cop that all covers are illegal.
**EDIT: i was curious, so i called the ministry's info line and talked to a representative there (1-800-268-4686), and here was her response:
"the legislation in the highway traffic act is very vague, so you can be fined for ANY license plate covers, regardless of color. the officer makes a judgement call on whether they change the appearance or function of the license plate. the best practice is to not have any license plate covers at all on your vehicle."
so the ministry says since its vague, that any cover, you can be charged for, based on the officer's judgement. **
buddy of mine got a ticket 2 months ago for having plate covers (although his were a smokey-grey), but he was also told that by the cop that all covers are illegal.
**EDIT: i was curious, so i called the ministry's info line and talked to a representative there (1-800-268-4686), and here was her response:
"the legislation in the highway traffic act is very vague, so you can be fined for ANY license plate covers, regardless of color. the officer makes a judgement call on whether they change the appearance or function of the license plate. the best practice is to not have any license plate covers at all on your vehicle."
so the ministry says since its vague, that any cover, you can be charged for, based on the officer's judgement. **
Many parts of the Act are quite vague: like the part regarding defacing the plate. In fact, I have yet to find anywhere in the Act that it states you have to have a front plate. But the part quoted above referring to obscuring of the plate with a cover is quite clear. If you can prove in court that your cover does not obscure the numbers of the plate when photgraphed, you will not be convicted.
Most people will just pay the fine out of ignorance, or because they don't want the hassle, which just leads to more cops badly applying an otherwise clear law. Which of course leads to more falsehoods like "smoked plate covers are illegal". Heck, even a Ministry person perpetuates it when you phone. Clearly, as far as the Act is concerned, coloured, smoked, or clear covers are not illegal. There ARE covers out there that obscure the view of numbers so that you actually CAN'T SEE THE NUMBERS FROM ANYTHING OTHER THAN A STRAIGHT ON VIEW. These covers were specifically designed to foil photo radar, red light cameras, or photo tolls. These are the covers that the Act targets. A straight smoked cover, like the kind you buy at Canadian Tire, does not do that. You can see the plate numbers clearly, and from any angle.
Last edited by 73JPS; 10-20-2005 at 11:02 AM.
10-20-2005 | 11:07 PM
#27
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Ahhh..whatever. I removed my front plate in March, so far so good, if I get a ticket so be it, the car looks much better without it. 5 Provinces do not require front plates with Saskatchewan being the last Aug 2004 (Think it was Saskatchewan), it's only a matter of time.
10-20-2005 | 11:27 PM
#28
my ti
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
Originally Posted by Hellbreed
Ahhh..whatever. I removed my front plate in March, so far so good, if I get a ticket so be it, the car looks much better without it. 5 Provinces do not require front plates with Saskatchewan being the last Aug 2004 (Think it was Saskatchewan), it's only a matter of time.
10-21-2005 | 12:38 PM
#29
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Okay... I put a picture on www.cardomain.com. I don't know if I can post a more direct link?
10-21-2005 | 12:41 PM
#30
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10-21-2005 | 12:51 PM
#32
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08-02-2007 | 08:56 AM
#33
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Joined: Aug 2007
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Petition against Ontario Front Plates
Hello all:
I started a petition to remove the law requiring the Ontario front plate, please send this to anyone members that may feel the same way. Saving the province millions, saving insurance, and allowing airflow the way that the vehicle was designed are just a few of the good reasons.
I have over 3000 signatures in the first month, and have had the Ontario Transport Minister send me a letter already!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/O...ate/index.html
Thanks!
AutoConsultant.ca
I started a petition to remove the law requiring the Ontario front plate, please send this to anyone members that may feel the same way. Saving the province millions, saving insurance, and allowing airflow the way that the vehicle was designed are just a few of the good reasons.
I have over 3000 signatures in the first month, and have had the Ontario Transport Minister send me a letter already!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/O...ate/index.html
Thanks!
AutoConsultant.ca
Last edited by autoconsultant.ca; 08-02-2007 at 08:57 AM. Reason: adding text
08-02-2007 | 09:03 AM
#34
Drive like you stole it!
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 247
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Hello all:
I started a petition to remove the law requiring the Ontario front plate, please send this to anyone members that may feel the same way. Saving the province millions, saving insurance, and allowing airflow the way that the vehicle was designed are just a few of the good reasons.
I have over 3000 signatures in the first month, and have had the Ontario Transport Minister send me a letter already!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/O...ate/index.html
Thanks!
AutoConsultant.ca
I started a petition to remove the law requiring the Ontario front plate, please send this to anyone members that may feel the same way. Saving the province millions, saving insurance, and allowing airflow the way that the vehicle was designed are just a few of the good reasons.
I have over 3000 signatures in the first month, and have had the Ontario Transport Minister send me a letter already!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/O...ate/index.html
Thanks!
AutoConsultant.ca
08-05-2007 | 05:35 PM
#35
Grand Chancellor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,730
Likes: 58
From: Home of the NIMBYs
you will certainly get stopped especially living in GTA. During my younger days, I did the same with my 2.5rs coupe and a cop stopped me though not for that offence. But he only gave me a warning ticket. The plate doesn't belong to you nor I. It is the property of the provincial government.
Just imagine bending a road sign.
Just imagine bending a road sign.
08-07-2007 | 12:54 PM
#36
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I originally posted on 10-18-2005. As of today I have not had any problems with the "bent plate" approach. I did get busted passing at 128 in an 80.... That was a problem!! He knocked it down to 118 and the JP knocked it down to $125. Still cost me 3 points. But nothing about the plate. I rarely drive this car in TO.
08-08-2007 | 02:16 PM
#37
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 323
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From: Wooler Ontario
I originally posted on 10-18-2005. As of today I have not had any problems with the "bent plate" approach. I did get busted passing at 128 in an 80.... That was a problem!! He knocked it down to 118 and the JP knocked it down to $125. Still cost me 3 points. But nothing about the plate. I rarely drive this car in TO.
UK !!!!? Canadian will stop complainting !!
Anyway, nice to hear from you...I will be back in Canada in 3 years
08-09-2007 | 10:14 AM
#38
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Danielson!!! good to hear from you!!! You should come back for the weekend. The first C-17 is arriving. I hope to be on Whites road when it lands.
The winding road of the UK must be a blast in your 8. Hope you are having fun. Keep up the good work. We need you folks!!!
The winding road of the UK must be a blast in your 8. Hope you are having fun. Keep up the good work. We need you folks!!!
08-09-2007 | 08:27 PM
#39
Retired...
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 450
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From: Toronto, Canada
I think it really depends on cops mood... I was pulled over once and he said to me that my license plate bracket was to thick and it's blocking "ONTARIO" and that is NOT allowed.... Funny thing is that it was just a plate cover from the dealership... and I don't see them other cars been pulled over from the same dealership!!
Bottom line is that if cops want to harrass you.. they can find 1000 excuses and if they are in a good mood, they'll just over-look it.. who knows!!
Bottom line is that if cops want to harrass you.. they can find 1000 excuses and if they are in a good mood, they'll just over-look it.. who knows!!
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