As I drive around the wonderful Valley of the Sun in our 110 degree summer days, I have noticed that many drivers may not be aware of a law that was passed almost 2 years ago.
As of January 1, 2009 Arizona requires that an Arizona license plate on a vehicle must be clearly visible, and that the word “Arizona” at the top of the plate may not be covered.
The wording of A.R.S. 28-2354 is:
State law, ARS 28-2354(C), requires that the state name at the top of Arizona license plates must be visible. Any license plate holder or cover that prevents the license plate from being clearly legible, is in violation of this new law.
If you have a license plate frame on your vehicle that covers the word “Arizona” you are advised to remove it. There is a good chance you have a car dealer frame around you plate that you just never paid attention to and it covers the word “Arizona”. This frame most likely has been on your car prior to January 2009. The fine, depending on where you get pulled over, could be $150 or more.
Of course if you are doing something else you should not be doing, such as driving after a few cocktails, and you have one of these license plate frames you have now added an additional expense and problem to your error.
So, take a minute to walk out to your car and check your license plate. You just may want to take a screwdriver. It the word “Arizona” is at all obstructed, I would suggest putting the screwdriver to work.
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