# Plastic photo radar-proof license place covers **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 30, 2002, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384 "2002-08-30T23:21:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![scott\_evil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@scott\_evil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scott_evil)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/1 "2002-08-30T23:21:22Z")
How can these be legal? They’re those plastic things people put over their license plates that apparently make them impossible to catch on photo radar. I saw many when I was at TorDope (since there’s a toll highway around Toronto) and I’ve seen quite a few here in Montreal. (We have no toll highways, but we have photo radar.) So, apparently, if a photo radar takes a pic of your rear plate when you’re speeding or whatever, it won’t register, and you won’t get a ticket in the mail. I’m not defending enforcement of speed laws or getting out of tolls, etc., but I just wonder how these things can still be legal?. In terms of photo radar, it’s like painting your license plate black. Please explain. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/2 "2002-08-30T23:25:30Z")
I’ve never seen the device to which you refer. Is there a wesite that might describe them? ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/3 "2002-08-30T23:37:07Z")
They’re legal 'cause they don’t work. I can’t find a cite, but I did see a demonstration showing perfect detection and clear pictures on a red-light camera, using three different types of “anti-photo” plate covers. ---
**Author:** ![av8rmike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/edb3f5/32.png) [@av8rmike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/av8rmike)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/4 "2002-08-30T23:40:56Z")
They aren’t. Well, at least, it depends on the city/county/state/country in which you live. One such product is [here](http://www.radarscramblers.com/product_antiphoto.htm), however what they don’t tell you is that they’re illegal nearly everywhere… AND, they don’t work. I caught a news story about how the cops that process the photos can apply image filters and still discern the numbers. Then they’ve got you for running a red light AND blocking your plate. See also: [SpecterGuard FAQ](http://www.specterguard.com/faq_sg.htm) (On preview: looks like **Nametag** saw the same story) ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/5 "2002-08-30T23:46:26Z")
Here in San Diego we have tons of those red light cameras, though recently I understand they haven’t been operating because of some lawsuit against Lockheed-Martin who make the devices. When they were in operation, almost everyone I knew was getting nailed by these things because of one intersection in particular where traffic would sometimes back up suddenly and you’d find yourself in gridlock in the intersection. Then the light would change and surprise, you would get a ticket in the mail. From the direction we were driving, the offending camera would photograph your front license plate. In response, many people started removing their front plates, though a few were harassed by the cops for doing so, and got ‘fix it’ tickets. Others, like myself, bought polarized plastic covers for our front plates. (Sorry, I can’t remember the site on the Internet) Basically, it was a cheap piece of polarized plastic film that if viewed straight ahead was clear, but if viewed at more than about 15 degrees off center, looked opaque. If a cop looks at me in his rear view mirror or straight ahead across an intersection, he can read my license plate just fine, but going through that ill fated intersection, the camera can’t get a clear shot. Even though all the cameras aren’t operating now, I have still left the film over my plate ‘just in case’… ---
**Author:** ![Yarster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/7c8e57/32.png) [@Yarster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yarster)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/6 "2002-08-30T23:51:00Z")
Oh, and I DON’T claim this will work against photoradar or any human operated device, just the red light cameras, and only the one that I specifically have a problem with (at Town Centre and La Jolla Village Dr. for anyone who lives in my home town.) ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/7 "2002-08-31T00:04:24Z")
In NY state it is technically illegal to have your license plate covered with any type of plastic or glass facing. I say ‘technically’ because the law is on the books, but enforcement varies. ---
**Author:** ![LolaBaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@LolaBaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LolaBaby)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/8 "2002-08-31T00:08:15Z")
They’re illegal here in Hawaii, but the point is moot now because everyone was pissed off at the Van Cams and the scared lawmakers repealed the Van Cams. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/9 "2002-08-31T00:40:48Z")
I always thought that those were more meant to block radars from cop cars, not photos. From what I understand, the cops use the licensce plates to bounce their radar/lasers off of becuase they are so reflective. (As a side comment, my physics teacher, while doing some experiments in optics, found a certain type of paint (nothing special just something from Sears) that absorbed rather then reflected radar wave lenghts. He painted his whole car with it and “tested” it by whizzing past cops and never getting pulled over. But that’s another thread) ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/10 "2002-08-31T01:06:16Z")
What about having rear mounted bike racks that are blocking the license plate? - I’ve often wondered if they were legal. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/11 "2002-08-31T01:27:31Z")
In California, it would be proper to get a ticket for being stuck in the intersection when a light changes red. Though the ticket would be for a gridlock violation, not running a red light. > [@](#): > > _California Vehicle Code section 22526(a)_ > **Notwithstanding any official traffic control signal indication to proceed, a driver of a vehicle shall not enter an intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or marked crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle driven without obstructing the through passage of vehicles from either side.** ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/12 "2002-08-31T01:34:18Z")
In California, it would be proper to get a ticket for being stuck in the intersection when a light changes red. Though the ticket would be for a gridlock violation, not running a red light. > [@](#): > > _California Vehicle Code section 22526(a)_ > **Notwithstanding any official traffic control signal indication to proceed, a driver of a vehicle shall not enter an intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or marked crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle driven without obstructing the through passage of vehicles from either side.** ---
**Author:** ![PhilAlex](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/839c29/32.png) [@PhilAlex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhilAlex)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/13 "2002-08-31T03:06:11Z")
The plate covers don’t work… They don’t block Photo Radar, Red light cameras, or reduce Laser Range. They can figger out the plate from the NEGATIVE, and laser isn’t affected. You can get a Laser Only Detector, like the Passport Zr3, to detect AND BLOCK laser, legally… A good Superhet detector, like the Valentine One is best for detecting laser. As for detecting other stuff, like VASCAR, AIRPLANES, and PACING? Gotta watch out, and be careful. Phil ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/14 "2002-08-31T09:58:31Z")
\>\> As a side comment, my physics teacher, while doing some experiments in optics, found a certain type of paint (nothing special just something from Sears) that absorbed rather then reflected radar wave lenghts. He painted his whole car with it and “tested” it by whizzing past cops and never getting pulled over. I doubt it. Or are you telling me the USAF wasted billions and billions on stealth technology because they did not think of buying Sears paint? ---
**Author:** ![Gozu\_Tashoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7993a0/32.png) [@Gozu\_Tashoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gozu_Tashoya)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/15 "2002-08-31T10:42:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by PhilAlex \* > \*\* > You can get a Laser Only Detector, like the Passport Zr3, to detect AND BLOCK laser, legally… > \*\* If I read the disclaimers correctly, legality varies from state to state (as these things tend to). YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![brad\_d](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@brad\_d](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brad_d)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/16 "2002-08-31T12:43:30Z")
If I read this section of the Vehicle Code correctly, plastic covers on license plates are illegal in California. I see them here often, though, so I suspect enforcement is quite lax. [CVC Section 5201(e)](http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d03/vc5201.htm): > [@](#): > > No covering shall be used on license plates except as follows: > > (1) The installation of a cover over a lawfully parked vehicle to protect it from the weather and the elements does not constitute a violation of this subdivision. Any peace officer or other regularly salaried employee of a public agency designated to enforce laws, including local ordinances, relating to the parking of vehicles may temporarily remove so much of the cover as is necessary to inspect any license plate, tab, or indicia of registration on a vehicle. > > (2) The installation of a license plate security cover is not a violation of this subdivision if the device does not obstruct or impair the recognition of the license plate information, including, but not limited to, the issuing state, license plate number, and registration tabs, and the cover is limited to the area directly over the top of the registration tabs. No portion of a license plate security cover shall rest over the license plate number. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plastic-photo-radar-proof-license-place-covers/126384/17 "2002-08-31T13:19:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by sailor \* > [B > I doubt it. Or are you telling me the USAF wasted billions and billions on stealth technology because they did not think of buying Sears paint? \*\* It’s somewhat plausible - stealth planes DO use what amounts to radar absorbing paint, but that alone wouldn’t be sufficient to dampen the radar reflections from high power search radar sufficiently. I’d imagine that police radar is extremely low power in comparison, and so a surface that doesn’t reflect as many waves may be sufficient to screw it up.