The clear display of license plates is a necessary tool for law enforcement agencies to maintain traffic safety. Unfortunately, bad actors continue to intentionally cover, hide, or otherwise obstruct a clear view of their license plates for the purpose of avoiding law enforcement, tolling agencies, and traffic safety cameras. The General Assembly recently adopted Act 150 of 2024 which prohibited the use of license plate flipping devices on motor vehicles operated in Pennsylvania which was a significant step in the right direction.
 
However, as technology continues to evolve, bad actors are quickly adapting and switching to other types of obstruction devices which do not necessarily flip the plate to hide it from view. Such devices include blackout plates which simply turn a license plate black at the push of a button, as well as special license plate covers which do not alter the plate’s appearance but interfere with enforcement cameras for toll collection and traffic safety.
 
To address this issue, I will be introducing legislation to prohibit the use of any license plate obscuring device which manually or electronically hides a license plate from view, is capable of changing the appearance of a license plate to appear as a different plate, or inhibits the proper operation of an enforcement camera for toll collection and traffic safety, as well as all license plate covers. Under my bill, license plate frames around the outline of the plate would still be permitted provided they do not obstruct the license plate. With this legislation, Pennsylvania’s laws can keep up with rapidly changing technology by prohibiting all license plate obstruction devices developed in the past, present, and future.
 
Please join me in cosponsoring this important legislation to assist our law enforcement agencies and to protect traffic safety.