Re: Modifying license plates

[Russ Poffenberger <poffen@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>Hello digesters, I was wondering if it is illegal to modify license plates in
>any way.  I've seen plates that have had the letters and numbers painted
>black, and front plates that have been cut so that only the letters and
>numbers are showing.  I prefer not having a front plate at all but I don't
>want to give cops more excuses to pull me over.  Thanks.                

I wouldn't do it, from the CVC...

4463.  (a) Every person who, with intent to prejudice, damage, or
defraud, commits any of the following acts is guilty of a felony and
upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in the
state prison for 16 months, two or three years, or by imprisonment in
the county jail for not more than one year:
   (1) Alters, forges, counterfeits, or falsifies any certificate of
ownership, registration card, certificate, license, license plate,
device issued pursuant to Section 4853, special plate, or permit
provided for by this code or any comparable certificate of ownership,
registration card, certificate, license, license plate, device
comparable to that issued pursuant to Section 4853, special plate, or
permit provided for by any foreign jurisdiction, or alters, forges,
counterfeits, or falsifies any such document, device, or plate with
intent to represent it as issued by the department, or alters,
forges, counterfeits, or falsifies with fraudulent intent any
endorsement of transfer on a certificate of ownership or other
document evidencing ownership, or with fraudulent intent displays or
causes or permits to be displayed or have in his or her possession
any blank, incomplete, canceled, suspended, revoked, altered, forged,
counterfeit, or false certificate of ownership, registration card,
certificate, license, license plate, device issued pursuant to
Section 4853, special plate, or permit.

Russ Poffenberger               Engineering Specialist
Schlumberger Technologies ATE   DOMAIN: poffen@domain.elided
1601 Technology Drive
San Jose, Ca. 95110             Voice: (408)437-5254  FAX: (408)437-5246

------------------------------