# How do police identify all the different license plates available today? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 20, 2017, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742 "2017-07-20T18:11:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/21 "2017-07-21T15:41:17Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > It is not always easy to read the state name, and often the state name is obscured when the driver has installed a license plate frame (or worse, shaded plastic cover when you can’t read the plate at all, or even worse worse, covers that are [specifically designed to obscure the plate](https://www.walmart.com/ip/Street-Vision-Diffusional-Photo-Shield-License-Plate-Covers/103158865?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=1131&adid=22222222227046738418&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=146693807900&wl4=aud-310687322322:pla-260635962378&wl5=9007779&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=112562428&wl11=online&wl12=103158865&wl13=&veh=sem#about-item)). Easily defeated by the “enhance” button on any computer. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/22 "2017-07-21T16:40:39Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Easily defeated by the “enhance” button on any computer. Yeah! I saw that on TV, like, _always_. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/23 "2017-07-21T17:22:43Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Easily defeated by the “enhance” button on any computer. Is that the button right next to the “200x Zoom” button? ---
**Author:** ![yabob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yabob/32/2821_2.png) [@yabob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yabob)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/24 "2017-07-21T17:36:44Z")
> [@DSYoungEsq](#): > > California over the years had black on gold, gold on black, gold on blue, and blue on white. For the most part, the state has avoided the difficult to read license plate trend. > > My current state, South Carolina, just recently switched from a very pleasing looking, but hard to decipher scheme (dark blue on a rosy/peach background) to a very easy to decipher scheme (blue on white). It was done specifically to help LEOs read the plates. Of course, there are still a gazillion vanity plate styles you can buy, because God help us if we give up the minimal revenue that brings in each year. > > Many states use a special set of designating letters in the vanity plates. Thus, for example, plates that proclaim the driver is a veteran might start with VE\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_. And of course, one of the newer alternative plates available in CA now is the old “classic” gold on black, if you want to pay an extra $50. Actually, they make “legacy” plates in the other color schemes as well, but I think I’ve only seen gold on black being revived on anybody’s new car. Who wants a 70s era gold on blue plate? ---
**Author:** ![Driver8](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5a626/32.png) [@Driver8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Driver8)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/25 "2017-07-21T17:40:26Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > Is that the button right next to the “200x Zoom” button? It’s next to “uncrop”: [https://youtu.be/2aINa6tg3fo](https://youtu.be/2aINa6tg3fo) ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [July 21, 2017, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/26 "2017-07-21T22:49:43Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Interesting - all plates in the EU are pretty similar although each country is different. All have a country identifier on them. Then they are missing out on a money making scheme. That’s the only purpose for all the types of plates. > [@Dingbang](#): > > Pkbites, I’ve wondered about the legality of those plate covers like the one in the OP’s link. They’re designed to prevent the license plate from being viewed properly, especially by a camera, so doesn’t that violate the law requiring display of a plate? > > If the law says “you must display item A” and you intentionally obstruct viewing of item A, how is that legal? > > What do police think of them and can you/do you charge people with violating the law? It depends on the state. In New Jersey we have a statute that covers improperly mounting the plate, having a fictious plate or having anything that obscures the plate. That includes plate covers of any kind. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > FWIW, our county sheriff’s dept, which also provides services for about half the municipalities in the county, doesn’t have plate scanners on the ordinary LEO squads. > > But does have them on every parking enforcement vehicle. Which people and vehicles are a subdivision of the sheriff’s department. > > I suspect they’ll be standard issue on all our regular LEO vehicles soon enough. We have a couple. They are decent tools but hardly a miracle. They do misread plates and everything has to be verified before acted on. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/27 "2017-07-22T14:04:00Z")
I was behind a pickup truck the other day with “Sonora” plates. Even though I was right behind it, I could not tell whether it was a state/county plate or actually from Mexico (could it be?). the only prominent writing was “Sonora”. Odd that it was way up here in Canada. I heard in New Zealand that they don’t issue plates, they give you the registration number and you go to one of a number of shops (not prisons?) to get your plate made. it doesn’t even say the name of the country. But then, they don’t have to worry about cars driving in from other countries. ---
**Author:** ![ZurBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/71e660/32.png) [@ZurBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZurBob)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/28 "2017-07-22T14:37:12Z")
Ohio went to the cheap printed plates some time ago. Anyone know of any States that still emboss/stamp plates with raised effects? ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/29 "2017-07-22T15:02:39Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I was behind a pickup truck the other day with “Sonora” plates. Even though I was right behind it, I could not tell whether it was a state/county plate or actually from Mexico (could it be?). Yes, plates from Mexico have the State name on them. Oddest (most out of place, that is) plate that I have seen was in Dubrovnik, where I saw a Toyota Tacoma with California plates. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/30 "2017-07-22T15:04:03Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I was behind a pickup truck the other day with “Sonora” plates. Even though I was right behind it, I could not tell whether it was a state/county plate or actually from Mexico (could it be?). the only prominent writing was “Sonora”. Odd that it was way up here in Canada. … When I lived in the US southwest we often saw Mexican license plates. They all included the state name but unsurprisingly not the country. Just like all the US & Canadian plates I’ve seen over the years. Pretty good bet that was a plate from the Mexican state of Sonora. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/31 "2017-07-22T15:18:09Z")
Yeah, while there’s probably a Sonora County somewhere in the US, and some states do put the county name on plates, none leaves off the state name. So if “Sonora” is all it said, Mexico is the only possibility. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/32 "2017-07-22T17:28:42Z")
> [@Dingbang](#): > > Pkbites, I’ve wondered about the legality of those plate covers like the one in the OP’s link. I would guess most states have laws against obstructing a plate. We don’t have photo radar in Wisconsin so such a cover is pointless anyway. Some people bought “diffuser” covers that allegedly worked against laser guns (they don’t). Thing is, there are lots of violations that are routinely overlooked. Folks on these boards gave me shit for posting that loud pipes on Harleys aren’t enforced here. Wisconsin has an MV5 code book that even includes how much rubber has to remain on a windshield wiper. If these things were all strictly enforced I could write a dozen cites to every driver on the road. In a large metropolitan area clogging the court with a zillion chicken shit writes is not going to score any brownie points. It pisses of both the prosecutor and the judges. I can use the violation as RS for a stop to run a Q&W, but rarely is a ticket issued, just a warning. What I do cite for is plastering the year stickers all over the plate so it can’t be read. The year sticker is supposed to go over the previous year sticker in the lower right hand corner. People give stupid excuses for doing it, too. \*“If I put it in the corner someone will cut off the corner to steal it”. “I wanted you to know that I paid for the last 12 years”. \*. I don’t care that you were registered in 2007. I just want to be able to read your plate today. Here’s your fine for almost $200. > [@ZurBob](#): > > Ohio went to the cheap printed plates some time ago. > Anyone know of any States that still emboss/stamp plates with raised effects? Wisconsins are raised still. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/33 "2017-07-22T21:55:54Z")
> [@md2000](#): > > I heard in New Zealand that they don’t issue plates, they give you the registration number and you go to one of a number of shops (not prisons?) to get your plate made. it doesn’t even say the name of the country. But then, they don’t have to worry about cars driving in from other countries. That’s pretty much how it works in the UK too. New cars get a reg No. that indicates the date of issue. The two numbers in the middle show the age of the vehicle down to a six month period - March to August or September to February. 17 would be March to August 2017 and 67 the later half of the year. Plates generally stay with the car, not the individual, although it is possible to own ‘cherished’ plates which you can transfer to any car. There usually spell out a name or something like COM 1 C (and old registration owned by an elderly comedian) or MY 17 CAR which would be a current plate. Good ones sell for £thousands. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2017, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/34 "2017-07-22T22:03:08Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > In a large metropolitan area clogging the court with a zillion chicken shit writes is not going to score any brownie points. It pisses of both the prosecutor and the judges. I can use the violation as RS for a stop to run a Q&W, but rarely is a ticket issued, just a warning. Do you not have on-the-spot fines? London is a “large metropolitan area” and the cops there issue thousands of tickets every day, not to mention the automatic ones issued from speed and other cameras (like bus lane only). Pay up and you get a fine and maybe points on your licence - take it to court and you will probably lose and be hit for costs as well. ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/35 "2017-07-23T01:27:06Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > Do you not have on-the-spot fines? London is a “large metropolitan area” and the cops there issue thousands of tickets every day, not to mention the automatic ones issued from speed and other cameras (like bus lane only). Pay up and you get a fine and maybe points on your licence - take it to court and you will probably lose and be hit for costs as well. what do you mean by “on the spot fines”? Do people have to pay right then and there? If that’s what you mean, no, we don’t have that in Wisconsin. the exception is for a traffic violator that is from out of state from a state that doesn’t border Wisconsin (for some reason Indiana is included but I don’t know why). Those violators can be booked and made to post bond. This is because Wisconsin is one of only 4 states that is not a member of the national Drivers Compact. Don’t get me wrong. I write a shit load of traffic tickets. But they’re almost all for speed, stop sign violations, following too close, 1st offense DWI (which is not a crime here) etc… Minor infractions generally don’t get a cite. But they are RS to stop and run someone for warrants. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/36 "2017-07-23T03:49:28Z")
Monkey mask, anyone?: [Arizona not monkeying with masked speeder](http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32806142/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/arizona-not-monkeying-masked-speeder/#.WXQcVNMrLx4) ---
**Author:** ![pkbites](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pkbites/32/204_2.png) [@pkbites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pkbites)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/37 "2017-07-23T07:48:11Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Monkey mask, anyone?: [Arizona not monkeying with masked speeder](http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32806142/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/t/arizona-not-monkeying-masked-speeder/#.WXQcVNMrLx4) Red light cameras/photo radar isn’t used in my state. If I pulled over someone wearing a mask or obvious disguise I would be within my authority to remove it or take them into custody to determine identification. Just for the record, I’m glad we don’t have red light cameras/photo radar here. They’re ripe for abuse and I’m stunned that they have even passed constitutional muster. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/38 "2017-07-23T08:19:18Z")
> [@pkbites](#): > > what do you mean by “on the spot fines”? Do people have to pay right then and there? If that’s what you mean, no, we don’t have that in Wisconsin. the exception is for a traffic violator that is from out of state from a state that doesn’t border Wisconsin (for some reason Indiana is included but I don’t know why). Those violators can be booked and made to post bond. This is because Wisconsin is one of only 4 states that is not a member of the national Drivers Compact. > > Don’t get me wrong. I write a shit load of traffic tickets. But they’re almost all for speed, stop sign violations, following too close, 1st offense DWI (which is not a crime here) etc… Minor infractions generally don’t get a cite. But they are RS to stop and run someone for warrants. As with your out of state violators, foreign drivers can be made to pay before they continue their journey. Drivers of cars registered in the UK get a ticket and have (I think) 28 days to pay. If they don’t they get a summons and can even be arrested. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/39 "2017-07-23T08:47:11Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Then they are missing out on a money making scheme. That’s the only purpose for all the types of plates. But part of the reason y’all have so many plates is that they’re renewed every year: the renewal itself is a money making scheme. Most European countries do not link plates to car tax except once in the car’s life (once per country, if it gets imported permanently). We have different colors depending on country and function, and then you have the Germans with their little disks, but no vanity plates at all. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2017, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742/40 "2017-07-23T11:16:18Z")
> [@bob\_2](#): > > As with your out of state violators, foreign drivers can be made to pay before they continue their journey. Drivers of cars registered in the UK get a ticket and have (I think) 28 days to pay. If they don’t they get a summons and can even be arrested. That’s pretty much the US system. The citation issued by the officer (a “ticket”) is an official allegation of guilt. You can choose to not contest the allegation and effectively plead guilty by simply sending in the fine shown by the deadline (typically a month-ish). Or you can choose to apply for a court date to contest the allegation. Or you can choose to do neither and an arrest warrant will be entered into the big computer in the sky and your next encounter with the police pretty much nationwide will be less pleasant. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-police-identify-all-the-different-license-plates-available-today/791742.md?page=3)