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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies the Motor Vehicle Act by amending license plate display
10 requirements.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 ▸ exempts certain devices that may obscure the display of a license plate from clear
14 license plate visibility requirements; and
15 ▸ makes technical changes.
16 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
17 None
18 Other Special Clauses:
19 None
20 Utah Code Sections Affected:
21 AMENDS:
22 41-1a-404, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 106
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24 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 Section 1. Section 41-1a-404 is amended to read:
26 41-1a-404. Location and position of plates -- Visibility of plates -- Exceptions.
27 (1) License plates issued for a vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer
28 shall be attached to the vehicle, one in the front and the other in the rear.
29 (2) The license plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer shall be attached to
30 the rear of the motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer.
31 (3) [
32 (a) securely fastened:
33 (i) in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued to prevent the plate from
34 swinging;
35 (ii) at a height of not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom
36 of the plate; and
37 (iii) in a place and position to be clearly visible; and
38 (b) maintained:
39 (i) free from foreign materials; and
40 (ii) in a condition to be clearly legible.
41 (4) Enforcement by a state or local law enforcement officer of the requirement under
42 Subsection (1) to attach a license plate to the front of a vehicle shall be only as a secondary
43 action when the vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation by any person in the
44 vehicle of Title 41, Motor Vehicles, other than the requirement under Subsection (1) to attach a
45 license plate to the front of the vehicle, or for another offense.
46 (5) The provisions of Subsections (3)(a)(iii) and (3)(b) do not apply to a license plate
47 that is obscured exclusively by one or more of the following devices or by the cargo the device
48 is carrying, if the device is installed according to manufacturer specifications or generally
49 accepted installation practices:
50 (a) a trailer hitch;
51 (b) a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier;
52 (c) a trailer being towed by the vehicle;
53 (d) a bicycle rack, ski rack, or luggage rack; or
54 (e) a similar cargo carrying device.
Legislative Review Note
as of 2-2-15 11:43 AM
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel