Can you be pulled over for a sports team license plate frame? What SC law says
Placing a decorative frame over your license plate that shows support for a favorite sports team or organization is a popular way for drivers to add a personal touch to their ride.
Even car dealers are known to use such frames as free advertising after someone purchases a vehicle.
But you may want to rethink such frames, especially if they block part of your license plate.
It is against the law in South Carolina for a frame or decal to cover or obscure any letters or numbers, expiration date or state on a license plate. If it does, police can legally pull over a vehicle and issue a ticket or even have the driver remove the frame.
That includes out-of-state visitors to the Myrtle Beach area.
A message left with the South Carolina Highway Patrol about the law was not returned before publication.
“It is something that someone can be ticketed for and face a potential $155 fine,” said Horry County Police spokesperson Mikayla Moskov by text. However, Moskov said that it’s not something that is commonly written by officers “since it most often can be an educate and warn/correct item.”
It’s not the frames themselves that are ticketable, Moskov said, but anything that prevents a clear identification of the plate for law enforcement.
And according to the law, it only has to be a portion of the frame that covers state names, stickers or plate numbers. It’s also against the law to have a tinted or clear cover on your plate, as it too obscures the plate, making it difficult for officers to see.
Such frames and covers not only prevent officers from identifying a plate, but also block automatic license plate readers, which are maintained by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and used to track vehicles across the state.
Such laws vary from state to state. In some places, such as New Jersey, every part of the license plate must be visible, including the phrase “Garden State.” A first-time offense for such a violation can result in a fine of up to $250 in California or $500 in New York.
