One Plate, And Nothing Over It
Va. Code 46.2-716 — no frame, cover or hitch that obscures any part of the plate, and a summons that may be dismissed
Fastened, visible, legible. Every license plate is securely fastened to prevent swinging, in a position to be clearly visible, and in a condition to be clearly legible.
Nothing that alters or obscures. No colored glass or plastic, bracket, holder, mounting, frame or other covering is placed on, around or over a plate if it in any way alters or obscures the alphanumeric information, the plate's color, the state's name, or the expiration decal. No insignia, emblem, or trailer hitch or coupling is mounted so as to hide any portion of the plate or make it illegible.
Dismissal. For a summons under the section, the court may in its discretion dismiss it where proof of compliance is provided on or before the court date.
Registration itself, temporary tags and specialty plates are governed by other sections that are not on this page. What a particular ticket means is a question for a licensed Virginia attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- Va. Code 46.2-716 — How license plates fastened to vehicle; altering appearance of license plates
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Virginia attorney.