Police Department

Winter Driving Reminders and a New Law Going into Full Effect January 1st

Sgt. Teresa Fuller PIO/Traffic Unit

Friday, December 6, 2024 at 12:19 p.m.

Winter is upon us, and we’ve seen some icy conditions this week. Please remember to reduce your speed, increase your following distance and make sure your plates, windows and vehicle lights are not obstructed by frost or snow. Also, make sure your brakes and tires work effectively. We can all work together to have a safe, collision free, holiday season! Also, the Spokane Police Department is reminding citizens the law prohibiting license plate covers goes into full effect January 1^st, 2025. Since June 6^th of this year, officers were able to issue warnings to those who still had license plate covers.

Since June of this year, it has been illegal to have a cover over your license plates, but officers were only issuing warnings during an educational period. As of January 1^st, 2025, officers will be able to issue citations under the new portion of the law. This new part of the law on how to display your plates clears up some ambiguous language in the previous law. The law under RCW 46.16a.200(5) and (7) now states, “ License plates must be… kept clean and uncovered and be able to be plainly seen and read at all times…It is unlawful to use license plate holders, frames, covers, or other materials that conceal, obstruct, distort, change, alter, or make a license plate or plates illegible”.

There are some exceptions such as carrying temporary cargo that could obstruct the view of a license plate or license plate frames that do not obscure license tabs or identifying letters or numbers on the plates given the license plates can be plainly seen and read at all times.

It is a primary offense but not a moving violation. The ticket for this violation is currently $237. More importantly, not having your plate obscured helps officers more quickly locate your vehicle should it be stolen.

• Newer
• Older