Ask an expert

I was recently pulled over by a traffic Officer who advised me I had something 'obstructing my number plate'

I have clear plastic covers over my personalised plates and the officer said the suns reflection was making them very difficult to read.

The reason I have the covers is because the plates have been stolen on two occasions and they act as a deterrent.

I have had plate covers since 1999 and have been pulled up by the authorities on several occasions in that period and until now none of the officers have commented on the plate covers.

On this occasion I was issued with a warning, and was warned that if I was seen driving in the future with the covers I could expect a $200 fine.

Can you please clarify if this is true?

Michael

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

It's hard for me to comment without sighting the plate covers however, the law is quite clear; the numbers and or letters must be visible at all times.

If the covers do create a problem with the sun at times then they should be removed.

Talk to personalised plates, they may offer some suggestions to secure the plates which make easy removal difficult. Or they may provide legal number plate covers.