{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-716.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-716.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-716.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-716.html"}],"law_id":85178,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85178,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-716","catch_line":"How license plates fastened to vehicle; altering appearance of license plates","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-102; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-107; 1960, c. 119; 1986, c. 186; 1989, c. 727; 2000, c. 258; 2001, c. 19; 2006, c. 549; 2017, c. 670.","full_text":"A\n\nEvery license plate shall be securely fastened to the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to which it is assigned:1\n\nSo as to prevent the plate from swinging,2\n\nIn a position to be clearly visible, and3\n\nIn a condition to be clearly legible.B\n\nNo colored glass, colored plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame, or any other type of covering shall be placed, mounted, or installed on, around, or over any license plate if such glass, plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame, or other type of covering in any way alters or obscures (i) the alpha-numeric information, (ii) the color of the license plate, (iii) the name or abbreviated name of the state wherein the vehicle is registered, or (iv) any character or characters, decal, stamp, or other device indicating the month or year in which the vehicle’s registration expires. No insignia, emblems, or trailer hitches or couplings shall be mounted in such a way as to hide or obscure any portion of the license plate or render any portion of the license plate illegible.C\n\nThe Superintendent may make such regulations as he may deem advisable to enforce the proper mounting and securing of the license plate on the vehicle.D\n\nFor any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons, where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":305244,"text":"Every license plate shall be securely fastened to the motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to which it is assigned:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":305245,"text":"So as to prevent the plate from swinging,","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":305246,"text":"In a position to be clearly visible, and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":305247,"text":"In a condition to be clearly legible.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":305248,"text":"No colored glass, colored plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame, or any other type of covering shall be placed, mounted, or installed on, around, or over any license plate if such glass, plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame, or other type of covering in any way alters or obscures (i) the alpha-numeric information, (ii) the color of the license plate, (iii) the name or abbreviated name of the state wherein the vehicle is registered, or (iv) any character or characters, decal, stamp, or other device indicating the month or year in which the vehicle’s registration expires. No insignia, emblems, or trailer hitches or couplings shall be mounted in such a way as to hide or obscure any portion of the license plate or render any portion of the license plate illegible.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"C"},"5":{"id":305249,"text":"The Superintendent may make such regulations as he may deem advisable to enforce the proper mounting and securing of the license plate on the vehicle.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"6":{"id":305250,"text":"For any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons, where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13378,"edition_id":1,"name":"License Plates, Generally","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12879,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:45","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:45","permalink":{"id":228517,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13378,"identifier":"9","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9","url":"\/46.2\/II\/6\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12879,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling and Registration of Motor Vehicles","identifier":"6","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12771,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":226923,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12879,"identifier":"6","token":"46.2\/II\/6","url":"\/46.2\/II\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12771,"edition_id":1,"name":"Titling, Registration and Licensure","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225627,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12771,"identifier":"II","token":"46.2\/II","url":"\/46.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":67466,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-711","catch_line":"Furnishing number and design of plates; displaying on vehicles required","url":"\/46.2-711\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-711","metadata":false},{"id":74066,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-712","catch_line":"Requirements of license plates and decals","url":"\/46.2-712\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-712","metadata":false},{"id":54351,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-713","catch_line":"License plates and decals remain property of Department","url":"\/46.2-713\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-713","metadata":false},{"id":77404,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-714","catch_line":"Permanent license plates","url":"\/46.2-714\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-714","metadata":false},{"id":62616,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-715","catch_line":"Display of license plates","url":"\/46.2-715\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-715","metadata":false},{"id":85178,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-716","catch_line":"How license plates fastened to vehicle; altering appearance of license plates","url":"\/46.2-716\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-716","metadata":false},{"id":79814,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-717","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-717\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-717","metadata":false},{"id":83243,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-718","catch_line":"Use of old license plates or decals after application for new","url":"\/46.2-718\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-718","metadata":false},{"id":60371,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-719","catch_line":"Permit for emergency use of license plates","url":"\/46.2-719\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-719","metadata":false},{"id":84973,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-720","catch_line":"Use of license plates from another vehicle in certain circumstances","url":"\/46.2-720\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-720","metadata":false},{"id":82531,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-721","catch_line":"Application of liability insurance policy to vehicle carrying plates from insured vehicle","url":"\/46.2-721\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-721","metadata":false},{"id":55340,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-722","catch_line":"Altered or forged license plates or decals; use as evidence of knowledge","url":"\/46.2-722\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-722","metadata":false},{"id":84097,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-723","catch_line":"License plates for transporting mobile homes used as temporary offices at construction sites","url":"\/46.2-723\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-723","metadata":false},{"id":78813,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-724","catch_line":"Operation for hire of certain vehicles registered as not-for-hire; penalty","url":"\/46.2-724\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-724","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":62616,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-715","catch_line":"Display of license plates","url":"\/46.2-715\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-715","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":79814,"structure_id":13378,"section_number":"46.2-717","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/46.2-717\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-717","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-716\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 8 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1958, chapter 541; in 1960, chapter 119; in 1986, chapter 186; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2000, chapter 258<\/a>; in 2001, chapter 19<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 549<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 670<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68913,"section_number":"16.1-69.48:1","catch_line":"Fixed fee for misdemeanors, traffic infractions and other violations in district court; additional fees to be added","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.48_1\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":228539,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85178,"identifier":"46.2-716","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-716","url":"\/46.2-716\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-716\/","token":"46.2\/II\/6\/9\/46.2-716","dublin_core":{"Title":"How license plates fastened to vehicle; altering appearance of license plates","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-716","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Every license plate<\/span> shall be securely fastened to the motor vehicle<\/span>, trailer<\/span>, or semitrailer<\/span> to which it is assigned: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> So as to prevent the plate from swinging, <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> In a position to be clearly visible, and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> In a condition to be clearly legible. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> No colored glass, colored plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame, or any other type of covering shall be placed, mounted, or installed on, around, or over any license plate<\/span> if such glass, plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame, or other type of covering in any way alters or obscures (i) the alpha-numeric information, (ii) the color of the license plate<\/span>, (iii) the name or abbreviated name of the state wherein the vehicle is registered, or (iv) any character or characters, decal<\/span>, stamp, or other device indicating the month or year in which the vehicle’s registration expires. No insignia, emblems, or trailer<\/span> hitches or couplings shall be mounted in such a way as to hide or obscure any portion of the license plate<\/span> or render any portion of the license plate<\/span> illegible. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> The Superintendent<\/span> may make such regulations as he may deem advisable to enforce the proper mounting and securing of the license plate<\/span> on the vehicle. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> For any summons<\/span> issued for a violation of this section, the court<\/span> may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons<\/span>, where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court<\/span> on or before the court<\/span> date. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nHOW LICENSE PLATES FASTENED TO VEHICLE; ALTERING APPEARANCE OF LICENSE PLATES\n(\u00a7 46.2-716)\n\nA. Every license plate shall be securely fastened to the motor vehicle, trailer,\nor semitrailer to which it is assigned:\n\n 1. So as to prevent the plate from swinging,\n\n 2. In a position to be clearly visible, and\n\n 3. In a condition to be clearly legible.\n\nB. No colored glass, colored plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame, or any\nother type of covering shall be placed, mounted, or installed on, around, or\nover any license plate if such glass, plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame,\nor other type of covering in any way alters or obscures (i) the alpha-numeric\ninformation, (ii) the color of the license plate, (iii) the name or abbreviated\nname of the state wherein the vehicle is registered, or (iv) any character or\ncharacters, decal, stamp, or other device indicating the month or year in which\nthe vehicle’s registration expires. No insignia, emblems, or trailer\nhitches or couplings shall be mounted in such a way as to hide or obscure any\nportion of the license plate or render any portion of the license plate\nillegible.\n\nC. The Superintendent may make such regulations as he may deem advisable to\nenforce the proper mounting and securing of the license plate on the vehicle.\n\nD. For any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its\ndiscretion, dismiss the summons, where proof of compliance with this section is\nprovided to the court on or before the court date.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-102; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-107; 1960, c. 119; 1986, c.\n186; 1989, c. 727; 2000, c. 258; 2001, c. 19; 2006, c. 549; 2017, c. 670.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}