Is It Illegal to Cover License Plates?

Many districts ban license plate covers, but enforcement can be so lax that even police officers knowingly violate this law --- an epidemic of such happened to the Washington D.C. police force in 2005, according to WTOP radio in Brooklyn, New York. If you cover any numbers on your license plate, it is probably illegal.

Considerations

• Whether you can drive with a license plate cover depends on the laws of your state and local district, according to the "Boston Globe." Most states ban license plate covers because it makes it hard for police to identify a vehicle.

Penalties

• Even in districts with laws against using plate covers, the consequences are usually the lowest form of a misdemeanor --- class C. Maryland, for example, charges a $60 fine for plate covers, according to WTOP.

Tip

• You should consult your department of motor vehicles or local law enforcement to determine the laws on plate covers in your area, according to Snopes.com. In many places, however, confusion exists over how to enforce license plate cover bans.