I've Googled until my eyes hurt, but I can't find anything that gives a simple and clear answer if a vertically mounted license plate is illegal in California. Anybody got any info/links?

 

Mine's vertically mounted. I've heard from countless people both sides. Some say its illegal and some say its not. I really don't care because for the most part, cops don't bother.

 

Look here. http://home.ama-cycle.org/amaccess/laws/result.asp?state=ca

I'm not sure it actually says, but has most laws.

 

I'm picking up my new plates tomorrow morning from the DMV. I'll try to remember to ask. But no gaurentee's the DMV employee will know either.

 

I'm in CA and have seen countless vertical plates. I don't know if it's illegal but the cops round here don't seem to mind.

 

Its tough to find the written law but in the majority of states side mounting is fine as long as its visible and illuminated at night but vertical mounting tends to be illegal. In most states as long as its lit at night the cops dont bother you but I know from reading on here that a number of states are starting to crack down and enforce the regs. (especially FL). Here in MD vertical mounting is illegal but I've not been stoped in 3yrs. and cop friends say if one of them stops you the first time is typically a fix it ticket but then again just in the last couple weeks I've read in the Dyna section where 2 guys have been ticketed at $80 for it so go figure. Basically just run it the way you want and if stopped or ticketed just flip it horiz. or worst case put it back on the fender. I did inquire once at the DMV regarding side mount and the girl told me just needs to be visible/legible with stickers showing and illuminated at night but could not tell me where its written anywhere or if vert. is okay.

 

And if you had gone to the "California vehicle Code" site you would have found that section 4852b specifies what the plate must look like and section 5200 through 5206 explains how they must be displayed. If you look at section 5201 it clear states the plate must be visible at all times and mounted in a manner that prevents the plate from swinging. It does not however prevent the plate from being mounted vertically or for that matter upside down. Here, have fun...

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/ca...ebody=&hits=20

 

But of course as you Californians know....the CHP makes up laws as the go

 

And if you had read what I originally posted you would have read "simple and clear answer." I already found all the info you gave me and didn't feel like reading through all of it because when it comes down to it, all that matters is what the cop behind you thinks. Thanks for the link....

 

"I already found all the info you gave me and didn't feel like reading through all of it"

WTF !!!