License plate with a bike rack

Jul 9th, 2019 10:07 am

#1

clients [OP]: Member; Jul 13, 2002; 311 posts; 3 upvotes; Oakville

Jul 9th, 2019 10:07 am

Hi Everyone,

I know most people seem to be okay with a bike rack obscuring their license plate without getting a ticket, but if one wanted to adhere to the letter of the law, what would be the best way of moving the license plate to conform to the law (mounting it on the bike rack, hanging it like rental cars do, etc). Or Is no matter what you do technically not in compliance?

In Ontario, if that makes a difference

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Jul 9th, 2019 10:10 am

#2

Zephyr22b: Deal Addict; Dec 19, 2005; 2300 posts; 797 upvotes

Jul 9th, 2019 10:10 am

just leave it as is

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. -Wayne Gretzky"
- Michael Scott

Jul 9th, 2019 10:38 am

#3

Swerny: Deal Guru; Oct 5, 2008; 13510 posts; 7635 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 9th, 2019 10:38 am

i have carried bikes on the back of my cars for years and have never had an issue with the police.

Jul 9th, 2019 10:38 am

#4

aleks: Deal Addict; Jan 8, 2007; 2714 posts; 1245 upvotes; Calgary

Jul 9th, 2019 10:38 am

Cops will do ticket campaigns and hand out tickets for this, but I have only heard of complaints of people getting ticketed with rack up and obscuring plate with no bikes on it.

Jul 9th, 2019 11:12 am

#5

drtmrcht: Sr. Member; Jul 19, 2010; 606 posts; 243 upvotes; Calgary

Jul 9th, 2019 11:12 am

I would say 75% of people who have bike racks "blocking" their plate, haven't ridden/transported a bike in Years !! Cops should ticket more on this offense.

+1

Jul 9th, 2019 11:31 am

#6

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 15453 posts; 16555 upvotes; Oakville

Jul 9th, 2019 11:31 am

drtmrcht wrote: ↑ I would say 75% of people who have bike racks "blocking" their plate, haven't ridden/transported a bike in Years !! Cops should ticket more on this offense.

Same goes for roof racks.

Last edited by engineered on Jul 9th, 2019 3:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Jul 9th, 2019 11:56 am

#7

Ecsta: Deal Addict; Jan 17, 2009; 2839 posts; 2723 upvotes; Toronto, Ontario

Jul 9th, 2019 11:56 am

engineered wrote: ↑ Same goes for roof racks.

I'd be very impressed if someone managed to obscure their plate using a roof rack

+5

Jul 9th, 2019 1:32 pm

#8

AlicW93740: Sr. Member; Sep 25, 2018; 616 posts; 1142 upvotes

Jul 9th, 2019 1:32 pm

https://forums.mtbr.com/eastern-canada/ ... 21071.html

Use a roof rack.

Jul 9th, 2019 2:28 pm

#9

vaportech: Deal Fanatic; Jun 26, 2007; 5954 posts; 1430 upvotes; ???

Jul 9th, 2019 2:28 pm

Zip tie the plate to one of the bike posts. As long as it’s the furthest thing behind the car, you’re ok.

Jul 9th, 2019 2:30 pm

#10

CanadianLurker: Deal Addict; Sep 9, 2012; 4076 posts; 3407 upvotes; Oakville, ON

Jul 9th, 2019 2:30 pm

Ecsta wrote: ↑ I'd be very impressed if someone managed to obscure their plate using a roof rack

You almost made me snork out what I was sipping as I read this! Your made my day with that pithy observation.

Jul 9th, 2019 3:45 pm

#11

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 15453 posts; 16555 upvotes; Oakville

Jul 9th, 2019 3:45 pm

Ecsta wrote: ↑ I'd be very impressed if someone managed to obscure their plate using a roof rack

lol, was referring to not using the rack. haven't ridden/transported a bike in Years

Win a PS5 with RFD!

+1

Jul 9th, 2019 6:24 pm

#12

ES_Revenge: Deal Expert; Mar 23, 2004; 28046 posts; 8482 upvotes

Jul 9th, 2019 6:24 pm

This is all officer discretion. The obscuring part in the law is left 100% up to the officer charging you. You can get a ticket for obscuring your licence plate via any means. Whether it's a clear (yes clear) plate cover which does nothing at all, or a bike rack which clearly makes it difficult/impossible to view the plate, or a bunch of snow/mud...you can get a ticket. Only thing you can't get an obscuring ticket for is having nothing over the view line of the plate at all.

Jul 10th, 2019 11:08 am

#13

macnut: Deal Fanatic; Oct 26, 2008; 6346 posts; 1984 upvotes; BC

Jul 10th, 2019 11:08 am

vaportech wrote: ↑ Zip tie the plate to one of the bike posts. As long as it’s the furthest thing behind the car, you’re ok.

No. It must be illuminated to make it ok.

From the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.

Rear lamps to illuminate number plate
(19) The lamp on the rear of a motor vehicle or trailer shall be of at least three candela and shall be so placed that it will, at any time from one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise and at any other time when, due to insufficient light or unfavourable atmospheric conditions, persons and vehicles on the highway are not clearly discernible at a distance of 150 metres or less, illuminate the numbers on the number plate, or, if provision is made on the number plate or on any attachment furnished or required by the Ministry for affixing the lamp, it shall be affixed in the position or space provided, and the lamp shall face to the rear and reflect on the number plate a white light only. R.S.O. 1990, c. H.8, s. 62 (19).

Same in just about every other jurisdiction including the U.S. Day or night, it is a ticketable offence.