innsertnamehere
Superstar
The critical part is bolded below:I've seen statements like that before. I would ask him to comment on the actual legislation in HTA Section 13:
(2) Every number plate shall be kept free from dirt and obstruction and shall be affixed so that the entire number plate, including the numbers, is plainly visible at all times, and the view of the number plate shall not be obscured or obstructed by spare tires, bumper bars, any part of the vehicle, any attachments to the vehicle or the load carried. 1994, c. 27, s. 138 (7).Obstruction prohibited(3) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using an automated speed enforcement system. 2017, c. 9, s. 3.Same(3.0.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using a red light camera system. 1998, c. 38, s. 2 (1).Same
(3.1) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device or material that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being identified by an electronic toll system. 1996, c. 1, Sched. E, s. 2 (1).
As for prohibited sale of covers, etc., it's not something done lightly in a free market economy, is certainly beyond the scope of the HTA, and may well be beyond the scope of provincial legislation. Besides, one doesn't have to spend a lot of time on sites like Amazon to learn that the online sale of what are otherwise illegal products is rampant.
Every number plate shall be kept free from dirt and obstruction and shall be affixed so that the entire number plate, including the numbers, is plainly visible at all times,
(3) The number plates shall not be obstructed by any device that prevents the entire number plates including the numbers from being accurately photographed using an automated speed enforcement system. 2017, c. 9, s. 3.
It's not that only the numbers can't be obstructed, the entire license plate must be visible. Which means that any plate cover, even those small frames that literally every dealership in the province shoves on their sold cars, are illegal.
I used to have a small chrome plate cover which wrapped around the plate on my car, I removed it about a year ago once I learned this. I'm not giving the cops any reason to pull me over - a small chrome plate, while unlikely to get me a ticket, automatically gives cops reasonable cause to pull me over and conduct an investigation. No thanks. My plates are mounted directly to the car now with no cover or border whatsoever.