Dealers should be aware of language in the opinion that could point the finger at them, as well as those who manufacture license plate frames. The Court stated that “law enforcement commonly attacks problems at their source………yet here, rather than take any action against the source of the offending frames, motorists by the thousands are pulled over each year.”
The Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) letter to New Jersey dealerships warns that merchants should exercise caution in selling or advertising license plate frames or identification marker holders that may conceal or obscure more of a license plate or identification marker that the Supreme Court’s decision allows. NJ CAR is not certain of what enforcement action DCA will take.
NJ CAR Services sells, and always has sold, compliant license plate frames to dealerships. However, dealerships that do business with other vendors must ensure that those frames comply with the law. As the Court noted, “license plate frames abound, and they invariably cover some part of the markings on the plates they surround. Frames supplied by dealerships, booster organizations, non-profit groups, and others often cover the bottom of “Garden State” or the very top of “New Jersey”. Simply driving a car off the dealer’s lot with that type of license plate frame would amount to a violation and give officers a basis to stop the car.”
NJ CAR offers compliant license plate frames and dealerships with non-compliant frames are encouraged to contact NJ CAR Services @ 609-883-5056, x402 to discuss their options.