The North Carolina legislature recently passed a bill prohibiting license

plate frames that obscure the state name or the year/month insurance

sticker on the license plate. This bill was introduced after concerns were

raised by police officers that had trouble reading important information

because of license plate frames.  Governor Bev Perdue signed the bill

into law Aug. 8.

The bill also includes funds for a study by the legislative transportation

oversight committee and the revenue laws committee of club and

organization license plate frames. The General Assembly wants to limit

the amount of license plate frames used in advertizing by requiring that

an organization having 300 license plates in use to have authorization.

Police Captain Jon Barnwell said there are three main problems police

officers have with license plate frames.

“Frames with plexi-glass covers that reflect light make the license plates hard to read, especially by traffic cameras,” Barnwell said. “Tinted frames create the same problem. The main issue I have, however, is with frames that cover insurance stickers. We need to see the sticker in order to determine the authenticity of the car.”

Assistant Director of the Merchandise Division of University Bookstores Bill Blades said the news disappoints him.

“We are exploring options, but right now it looks like the license plate frame business in

North Carolina is a thing of the past,” said Blades. “This is unfortunate because N.C. State brand license plate frames were a top seller for our bookstores.”

The University bookstores are selling their remaining frames at 50% off. A sign is posted by the frames notifying students of the recent legislation. “Nobody will take the frames back now,” Blades said. “But out-of-state students and parents may buy them.”

The Alumni Association has also been affected by the legislation. Director of Communications and Marketing for the Alumni Association Jeannie Norris said the license plate frames were given to members based on the length of their membership.

“We have a license plate frame we give to all members and a steel frame for lifetime members,” said Norris. “We still have many out-of-state alumni we can give them to.”

Executive Director of the Alumni Association Lennie Barton is still

optimistic about the organization’s license plate frames.

“Our frames do not cover up the name of the state or the insurance sticker, so I think

they may be allowed,” said Barton. “We will have to wait for a ruling to see where we go from here. I hope we will be able to use them because Alumni Association members take pride in the frames.”

The bill goes into effect on December 1 of this year. Between Dec. 1, 2009 and Nov. 30 of 2010, offenders will only be given a warning. After this time, the fee will be $100 if a person is driving with an illegal license plate frame.