Obstructed license plate (California)

[Diesel Monkey]

I was just pulled over by a Santa Clara County Sheriff and he said I need to remove my towing ball when not towing as this obstructs the license plate. I am guessing this is a ruse and he is just out pulling over drivers at 3am looking for a DUI bust. He let me go, but I sure would like to know if this is real or was he full of what falls out the backside of a bull?

[rednekexprez]

I was pulled over by a state cop and told here in Illilois that a new law after the first of the year remove unless pulling a trailer...maybe same for you..

[TexasR.N.]

Here in Texas there is a similar law about any portion of the license being covered. No part of the plate can be covered, so that means even the advertising cover the dealership puts on them is illegal. Now how strict it is enforced I have now idea. I had a cop tell me about when I got pulled over for speeding a while back.
Craig

[Tat2thor]

Here in Md its the same way with obstruction of the tag.....but if its not blatantly obvious and done on purpose....Who cares...I have been an officer for 16 years and never have I enforced it, believe me, there are more important issues to tend with than a tag I can't read without changing my angle of view. Then again I work in a large city and have enough to deal with......

[StarDriver]

I've also heard that several states are making laws that if you have a receiver hitch, you have to take the hitch out if not pulling a trailer. Something about people walking into it and more damage if rearended. (If you run into me and my hitch casues more damage to your car, too 'fn bad, don't run into me.) That's why I have 1 B&W hitch and am getting ready to get another......

[TurboSevenThree]

Heh just put the ball on upside down

[Banshee34]

I can understand removing the ball if it's obstructing the plate, but a receiver?????

[redstroker_2002]

Originally Posted by rednekexprez

I was pulled over by a state cop and told here in Illilois that a new law after the first of the year remove unless pulling a trailer...maybe same for you..

i am glad we didnt take our ball receiver off in chicago! we were parked 10 mins max and a lady hit the ball saving my bumper and but it put a good gash in hers though. she didnt care though

[Barchetta]

Originally Posted by Diesel Monkey

I was just pulled over by a Santa Clara County Sheriff and he said I need to remove my towing ball when not towing as this obstructs the license plate. I am guessing this is a ruse and he is just out pulling over drivers at 3am looking for a DUI bust. He let me go, but I sure would like to know if this is real or was he full of what falls out the backside of a bull?

That is mighty interesing. I could see them having laws about obstructing the plate, but does a ball really prevent someone from reading the plate?

As far as removing the ball/ball mount when not towing, what the heck. That doesn't make any sense to me. If you walk into it, why are you so close to my truck? If you run into it, too bad. Don't follow so close.

I would like to hear from some other LE guys about what the laws are in their area about plate obstruction and having a ball mount while not towing.

[Barchetta]

Originally Posted by Tat2thor

Here in Md its the same way with obstruction of the tag.....but if its not blatantly obvious and done on purpose....Who cares...I have been an officer for 16 years and never have I enforced it, believe me, there are more important issues to tend with than a tag I can't read without changing my angle of view. Then again I work in a large city and have enough to deal with......

Do you guys having anything that says you have to remove the ballmount while not towing?