Is your license plate frame breaking an NC law? Here’s how to keep your car legal
Adding a license plate frame is a fun way to personalize your vehicle, and they’re fairly simple to install.
Frames and covers can include your favorite sports team, a cause that you support, or a cool art design that you like.
But if you have a frame that obscures any of the information on your plate, you could get pulled over by law enforcement and face a hefty fine.
Here’s what to know about laws regarding license plate frames and holders in North Carolina.
What are the laws on license plate frames in NC?
According to North Carolina state law, license plates must be clearly visible and legible at all times.
Obscuring information on a license plate is a safety issue, as it can hinder victims of hit-and-run accidents and law enforcement officers when tracking down automobiles.
State law, which went into effect in December 2010, prohibits drivers from “covering any registration plate with any frame or transparent, clear, or color-tinted cover that makes a number or letter included in the vehicle’s registration, the state name on the plate, or a number or month on the registration renewal sticker on the plate illegible.”
Drivers who are pulled over for having any portion of their license plates covered can receive fines of up to $100, state law says.
This story was originally published November 2, 2023 at 7:20 AM with the headline "Is your license plate frame breaking an NC law? Here’s how to keep your car legal."
