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Main Page Ma. green license plates
(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: BLUE LINE

Well I know I'm opening up a can of worms here but I have to vent. I am a local dept. L.E.A.P.S. / C.J.I.S. rep. and have been one for over 25 years. Over 10 years ago we had one of our yearly meetings when one of the speakers at our meeting was a top Registry official when he was asked about the old, (most of them unreadable), green plates. He stated they were going to start to replace those with the new red plates as they expire, the customer's plate number would not change they would just be issued new red plates with the same number, the customer pays a fee anyway so there wouldn't be any cost to the customer other than the new registration fee. Well its now been over 10 or so years since this meeting and those old green plates are getting harder and harder to read. I suggest 2 things, my opinion we need to have these plates replaced with new red ones so all m/v's in Ma. have 2 plates, or start to force these inspection stations to issue a rejection inspection sticker to any m/v that has a plate that cannot be read, I know there must be a section in their inspection guide where it indicates the plate must be in good readable condition. I know there are even some red plates that need attention also, but I think its time for the green plates to go. Thanks for listening to me vent.

Posted by: BrickCop

Yeah but where will we move our front M.P.A. plate if we have to do the one green for two reds swap?

Posted by: 209

I actually brought this up to a person at pittsfield registry and she told me two things:
1.) When a car is inspected the inspection station is NOT supposed to inspect the vehicle until they get red plates. But i suppose this could go for red plates as well if they are unreadable.
2.) Also she said if i stop a car and they have green plates that are unreadble that i should tell them to go to the registry and they will give them red plates for free.

Posted by: 94c

I have had the same green plate for 16 years

Posted by: 209

For me i could care less about someone having a green plate as long as you can read it

Posted by: T4567

Does it really matter if they are green or red. If the green plate is in bad condition then they should be stopped and told to get new plates. otherwise, leave them alone.

Posted by: copcop

Quote:

Originally Posted by T4567

Does it really matter if they are green or red. If the green plate is in bad condition then they should be stopped and told to get new plates. otherwise, leave them alone.

I don't think the issue is with the COLOR of the plate, but rather the condition of the plate, and inability to read it. I don't have my books nearby but I believe there is a chapter/section on dirty and or unreadable plates....if anyone can find this, let us know.

Posted by: frank

Quote:

Originally Posted by copcop

90/6 (Display of number plates) states:

The said number plates shall be kept clean with the numbers legible and shall not be obscured in any manner by the installation of any device obscuring said numbers, and during the period when the vehicle or trailer is required to display lights the rear register number shall be illuminated so as to be plainly visible at a distance of sixty feet.

Which reminds me...I was over at Target in Everett today and there was a guy with a SUV parked in the fire lane. He had his expiration decals (two of them, I love people that can't follow directions) stuck onto his tinted license plate cover. Apparently he was too lazy to remove the cover over the past 4 years.

Posted by: 4ransom

All three of our unmarked cruisers, including the chief's car, have 1 green license plate.

Posted by: Irish Wampanoag

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank

Obscured / obstructed / dirty number plate 35 dollars

Posted by: mtc

Quote:

Originally Posted by 94c

I have had the same green plate for 16 years

I've had mine for 24 years.
I've seen red plates that have faded out completely to all white. That's more of an issue than 'green plates' simply being outdated.

Posted by: 1955gmcambulance

I have been a state inspector for two years and what I was almost fined for was with these plates. The rmv rep told me that the new rule was that if we stand 20 feet back and can not read the plate for any reason then we must issue a regect sticker. That would be a Red R as it would be a safety issue. If I did not due this I could get a fine for 1500. for the first offence and a possible suspended inspector lic.

So, I have rejected any plate I could not read. Infact they expect us to look real close to see if someone used paint to fix the lettering! and that alone is a ticket issue if I remember right.

Posted by: Harley387

I'll NEVER give up my green plate!

Posted by: j809

There are always stations that will give you a sticker no matter what.

Posted by: MSP75

Let them keep the plates. That is a whole group of MVs crying out to be stopped,, and stopped, and stopped again.

Posted by: jj1979

my parents still have a green plate on their car. 4 times a year that plate gets taken off and cleaned and is still readable. Person down the street has one that you cant see through all the years worth of grime. Both cars go to the same garage in the same little town and nothing is ever said to the other guy. Who inspects the garages that keep letting these cars pass with unreadable plates?

Posted by: rg1283

If you can read the green plate, its all good. I am sick and tired of not having any clue what the green plate says, due to it being faded. Its like WTF? A few years ago I saw a green commercial plate.

Posted by: Sniper

I have cited for this when the plate was COMPLETELY washed out AND the person was well aware of it but was a dick about the fact that they didnt want to lose their pretty green plate..... WHAT GREEN? Its a COLORLESS plate now....... Apply for a lost/stolen plate at the RMV and appeal the citation.

Posted by: 1955gmcambulance

I do have a few cops either town and sometimes when they remember the fire dept. and we do turn a blind eye on there units even their private cars. If the rmv inspector is hanging around we tell them to come by later. our location allows us to see if that *&*&*&* is down the street and watching us. I think he likes to hang around when he can. He has been thrown off the property a few time. Infact the Cheif has done it him self. small town. My boss is a town cop.

Even when a private cop car/truck comes in with the black plate with the blue stripe is on the front of the car/truck I pass it threw. I don't check anything when it comes to safety unless they request it.

To me it does not matter what the color of the plate is.

Now when I tell a person that they need to replace the plate they do not. and in the system under the safety area. there is NO check off for the condition of the plate. but, yet I am to inforce it! The rmv inspector says that we must. but, there is nothing I can do but to check the OTHER box.

so go figure. The RMV still can not get the inforcement fixed.

They have just started to link the inspection sticker with the Reg. on the car.

Before they expected You Guys/Gals To check the sticker. I would think it is a pain in the ass for you. but, then again it is another check on fines?

my two cents

Posted by: misconceived

Posted by: 227

1955gmcambulance.. I too was a MA inspector for a while. I can't recall ever failing someone for a dirty plate. If its green, they only need one. If its red, they need two. The registry guy gave me crap about it one day where the back plate was readable and the front one was dirty (it was covered with highway bugs). I told him I'm not a car wash. Its not an inspectors responsibility to make sure the plates are clean. And you're absolutely right.. there's no spot to fail it based on dirty (or even missing) plate. I guess we were supposed to just turn them away (then the boss gets pissed cause he just lost the 29 bucks!)

On a side note.. there are the people who haven't washed their plates (or their car) in decades. Others are idiots and use dish detergent to scrub the plate which takes everything off nice and clean.. including the red or green paint!

Posted by: Sniper

Holy Spelling Disaster Batman !!!!!!!!!

Posted by: mtc

I can read my plate, across a parking lot.... and it's green.

When they fix the fading red plates, they can bitch about my 'experienced' green plate.

Posted by: 40th MPOC#309

Mr. Ambulance man- I think you are a civilian who got a cite for an unreadable plate trying to get a response you can use in your defense for a M/V citation appeal. I write for ANY plate unreadable at 60 ft. REGARDLESS of color. PERIOD! (nice try)

Posted by: soup

Quote:

Originally Posted by frank

90/2 registration decal missing or improperly displayed $35

Posted by: 1955gmcambulance

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40th MPOC#309

Mr. Ambulance man- I think you are a civilian who got a cite for an unreadable plate trying to get a response you can use in your defense for a M/V citation appeal. I write for ANY plate unreadable at 60 ft. REGARDLESS of color. PERIOD! (nice try)

no, I am a state inspector. I have many vintage cars/truck with yom. otherwise I have a newer truck that has the newer red plates. I have had no problems.

Posted by: j809

Quote:

Originally Posted by soup

90/2 registration decal missing or improperly displayed $35

Chapter 90: Section 2. Registration of motor vehicles and trailers; applications; reciprocal state agreements; transfer of ownership; plates; fraud or misrepresentation; penalties; veterans’ plates; olympic committee plates
How about 540CMR 2.05 for the missing reg sticker $35 fine

Posted by: UnlawfulDesign

Nice Ass 809!!!!

Posted by: jettsixx

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1955gmcambulance

If the rmv inspector is hanging around we tell them to come by later. our location allows us to see if that *&*&*&* is down the street and watching us. I think he likes to hang around when he can. He has been thrown off the property a few time.

I don't check anything when it comes to safety unless they request it.

Ok first off, How do you get away with throwing the inspector off the property and still maintain your license?

Second, I'm all for looking out for fellow emergency service people, but isnt that just opening you place of business up for a huge lawsuit when one of these vehicles you let pass through gets in a accident. Someone gets hurt and they noticed the vehicle was just inspected at your shop?

What do you think would happen if the truck team started looking the other way for violations? As inconvenient as it is these things are done for every ones safety.

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