Angel Enterprises (Joe Geremia Jr) sells the Super Protector License Plate cover. They claim that, "Contrary to what you have heard License plate covers are not illegal in Arizona."
That is a VERY MISLEADING STATEMENT. The purpose of this cover is to obscure your license plate from speed and red light cameras. A police or highway patrol officer cannot see the entire plate when at an angle to your vehicle, and therefore may consider it not legible. Arizona Revised Statues 28-2354. License plates; attachment (L96, Ch. 76, sec. 7) states:
"A person shall maintain each license plate so it is clearly legible."
I purchased this plate cover based on the above misleading statement. Shortly after I installed it, I was stopped by an Arizona DPS ("Highway Patrol") Officer. I was issued a written warning to remove the cover. I asked the officer how something can be sold legally when it technically cannot be used. The officer used the analogy of a "bong." The bong itself is not illegal. But if you use it for the purposes of smoking an illegal drug, then you are breaking the law.
After being stopped, I called the company to request a refund upon returning the cover. The owner (I believe) refused to accept the product back and refused to provide a refund. He insisted it is not illegal in Arizona and suggested I go to court every time I am stopped.
If you don't mind the hassle of worrying about being stopped each and every time you start your vehicle, or going to court if you are issued a citation, then do what you feel is right. Otherwise, practice good judgment.
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