The Akron Legal News

House bill would revise law concerning front-license plate display

TIFFANY L. PARKS
Special to the Legal News
Published: April 15, 2015

Rep. Anthony DeVitis, R-Uniontown, has filed a bill into the Ohio General Assembly that would make failing to display a license plate on the front of a vehicle when required by law a secondary traffic offense.

In doing so, the proposed legislation, House Bill 104, would prohibit a law enforcement officer from issuing a ticket, citation or summons to the owner or operator of a moving or parked motor vehicle, or arresting or commencing a prosecution of the owner or operator, solely because a front license plate was not displayed.

In order to enforce the plate requirement, an officer would have to have some other valid reason to stop or cite a motorist.

Under current Ohio law, failing to display a front license plate is a primary offense, meaning drivers can be stopped solely for that reason.

“The purpose of this bill is to bring Ohio nearer into balance with our surrounding states, all of which do not require a front license plate,” DeVitis said.

“As automakers continue to design vehicles that will improve aerodynamics and performance with an end goal that yields better fuel economy and attractive designs, oftentimes these vehicles are manufactured with no consideration for a front license plate.”

DeVitis said this creates a challenge for the state’s motorists in complying with current law.

“Also, many Ohio residents that live bordering Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky often purchase vehicles from those states,” he said. “None require a front license plate which can then innocently lead Ohio’s drivers into unexpected consequences.”

With respect to the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s desire for front license plates, DeVitis said HB 104 would continue to require their display.

“However, the bill addresses the absence of the front plate by making it a secondary offense and also protects drivers from being ticketed for non-moving violations,” he said.

The owner of the vehicle could still be fined for each offense up to a maximum of $25 with no points added to their driving record.

“It will be the discretion of the vehicle owner when they decide to purchase and install a front license plate brackets to avoid future citations,” DeVitis said.

Current law states that failure to display a license plate on the front of a motor vehicle when required by law also is a minor misdemeanor. However, the maximum fine for the offense is $150.

HB 104 is before the House Armed Services, Veterans Affairs and Public Safety Committee.

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