Solution for bike rack obscuring license plate? Expensive ticket!!!

[azfiddle]

We either have to pay the ticket or go to court to fight it- but then we will definitely have to prove we took care of it if my husband goes to court. We do have a good local bike/ped advocacy group here.

[OakLeaf]

It shouldn't be too hard to run a license plate light off the trailer light connector block. Get a magnetic license plate frame like car dealers use, mount the light to it, and you're down the road. Assuming your rack is steel, anyway, which hitch-mounted racks normally are?

If I understand you right anyway ... the ticket was for an equipment violation, not for failure to display plates, and it's one of those things that you just have to go to court and prove you fixed it?

[azfiddle]

Good idea Oakleaf-

The citation was something about obscuring the plate. I think the officer could have offered to issue a warning but chose to write the ticket.

[rebeccaC]

This is a common complaint with people who use rear racks. I've seen it come up a number of times on another bike forum. It's a law that's not often enforced but can be. I've always used a roof rack so I've never had to deal with it. I would think there has to be a license holder for the racks made by someone…that would work especially well for those keeping the rack on 24/7, more of a pain for those who don't. There is definitely a market for one.
One of the problems for law enforcement is camera's not being able to record the plate, especially in a one plate state like Arizona. Hopefully more states will follow the lead of Missouri and allow a simple solution! The good news is that it's not a moving violation so no points etc.