Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.B. 238 (2015GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Redd, E.

Final action

Governor Signed 3/23/2015

Outcome

Became law — signed by Gov. Gary R. Herbert

Summary

What it does

• This bill:
• exempts certain devices that may obscure the display of a license plate from clear license plate visibility requirements; and
• makes technical changes.

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

LICENSE PLATE OBSTRUCTION AMENDMENTS
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Edward H. Redd
Senate Sponsor: 
Karen Mayne
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This bill modifies the Motor Vehicle Act by amending license plate display
requirements.
Highlighted Provisions:
This bill:
▸ exempts certain devices that may obscure the display of a license plate from clear
license plate visibility requirements; and
▸ makes technical changes.
Money Appropriated in this Bill:
None
Other Special Clauses:
None
Utah Code Sections Affected:
AMENDS:
41-1a-404
, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 106
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
Section 1. Section 
41-1a-404
 is amended to read:
41-1a-404.
Location and position of plates -- Visibility of plates -- Exceptions.
(1) License plates issued for a vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer
shall be attached to the vehicle, one in the front and the other in the rear.
(2) The license plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer shall be attached to
the rear of the motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer.
(3) [
Every
] 
Except as provided in Subsection (5), a
 license plate shall at all times be:
(a) securely fastened:
(i) in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued to prevent the plate from
swinging;
(ii) at a height of not less than 12 inches from the ground, measuring from the bottom
of the plate; and
(iii) in a place and position to be clearly visible; and
(b) maintained:
(i) free from foreign materials; and
(ii) in a condition to be clearly legible.
(4) Enforcement by a state or local law enforcement officer of the requirement under
Subsection (1) to attach a license plate to the front of a vehicle shall be only as a secondary
action when the vehicle has been detained for a suspected violation by any person in the
vehicle of Title 41, Motor Vehicles, other than the requirement under Subsection (1) to attach a
license plate to the front of the vehicle, or for another offense.
(5) The provisions of Subsections (3)(a)(iii) and (3)(b) do not apply to a license plate
that is obscured exclusively by one or more of the following devices or by the cargo the device
is carrying, if the device is installed according to manufacturer specifications or generally
accepted installation practices:
(a) a trailer hitch;
(b) a wheelchair lift or wheelchair carrier;
(c) a trailer being towed by the vehicle;
(d) a bicycle rack, ski rack, or luggage rack; or
(e) a similar cargo carrying device.