Invisible Number Plate

eatwell365 on 10/02/2016 - 21:39
Last edited 10/02/2016 - 21:39

To me, this is a mystery like the cable ties on a bicycle helmet,

Driving at night, occasionally see some cars have number plate that can hardly figure out the numbers from behind. It appears opaque at distance. Only when getting very close or at a particular side angle can the numbers be visible.

I have seen invisible plate cover for sale on the Internet. Also heard there are silicone spray on the number plate.
Saw it on new cars, hire cars and other cars.

can anyone guess what it is done (from the description)?
Is it legal?
Does anyone have experience when pulled over or RBT without issue?
Does it do what it supposed to do?

Thanks.

Automotive

closed Comments

  • Davros on 10/02/2016 - 21:43
    +20

    "like the cable ties on a bicycle helmet,"

    Magpies

  • spackbace on 10/02/2016 - 21:43
    +10

    It's illegal. Bring the vaseline if you get caught…

    • eatwell365 on 10/02/2016 - 23:41

      do you think they use a special plate cover or some type of spray?
      cause I could not see a cover when looking from behind, in many instance.

      • spackbace on 10/02/2016 - 23:43

        Both

      • supnigs super skids on 11/02/2016 - 11:13
        +1

        It's a reflective film what is very bright when light shines on it. It's usually to mask number plates when a camera flashes at night.

  • chumlee on 10/02/2016 - 21:54
    +3

    If it was legal we would all be using them

  • mskeggs on 10/02/2016 - 21:54
    +2

    In NSW, at least, your obligation is to display a readily visible plate. Having it obscured in some way attracts the same penalty as not having a plate at all. Here is the design rule: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/documents/roads/safety-rules/stand…

    Fines from $425 to over $2k:
    http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roads/registration/plates-labels.h…

    • eatwell365 on 10/02/2016 - 23:59
      +23

      since you mention the fine, just want to share an interesting experience for which I learn how powerful is the new plate recognition system.
      Once got a new company car, lease company makes sure it advertised its name and stamped its ogo on the number plate (Sumxxx- the lease fleet company). wife does not like it so first thing I did was to use some white wire tape to cover the words.
      There are always RBT near my place. One night had a RBT road block, a dear policeman looked at the plate and peeled off the tape without hesitation. Warned me that a fine could be issued for obstruction of the number plate, let me off but said "would book next time they see it".
      Went home and used a sheet metal cutter to cut off the advertisement on the plate, use black tape to tape around the edge as if it is the rim. Looking good and Happy. A week later, RBT again at the same spot Police look around again at the plate, looked curious but could not find anything wrong. One younger police told the Senior police that the number could not be read (ie a police car now always park at the back on RBT to do number plate check). After a while one cluey police figured it out. Although the number plate looks like a premium number plate (thin black and white NSW plate), the system has record of each number plate - number and shape. Hence it cannot read when they do not match. The word NSW is written on the top instead of the side of a premium plate. At the end, I was told to get a new plate the next day. Did that, paid and got a new ordinary plate without advertisement.
      Sorry if this is long and no spell/grammar check. It is late. Hope you find interesting.

      • Randxyz123 on 11/02/2016 - 11:56

        lease company makes sure it advertised its name and stamped its ogo on the number plate (Sumxxx- the lease fleet company). wife does not like it so first thing I did was to use some white wire tape to cover the words.

        What? I don't get why you or your wife cared what it said on the number plate. All car makes do that - usually it is the dealer. The white tape would have reflected when the car took a photo and read it.

        Would have been cheaper to grab a set of protectors from super cheap and attach them.

        • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 12:14
          +10

          The writing is embroiled on the number plate itself. Not on the protector.

          Why care? It is like you drive a hire car with No Birds logo to a wedding party.

        • Randxyz123 on 11/02/2016 - 17:54

          @eatwell365:

          Why care? It is like you drive a hire car with No Birds logo to a wedding party.

          I'm sorry but what are you on about…?

    • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 00:17
      -4

      It says it has to be visible but does not say all time, or under what lighting condition.
      so if it is visible sometimes (daylight) under those condition, will it be good enough to fulfil the requirement?

      • ESEMCE on 11/02/2016 - 07:54
        +3

        It says it has to be readily visible.
        A court of law will decide what readily means but take it to mean (at least) not deliberately obscured in any way.

    • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 12:17

      thanks mskeggs. read closely to the wording. did not realise a possible offense when taking the plate out and hang on the back of bike carries. Some people use writing on cardboard paper.

      • bargainhuntaa on 11/02/2016 - 19:29
        +4

        But why would you tamper with the number plate after you were warned by the copper already?

        • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 20:32
          +2

          this is the closest style of plate I could google. see pic as sample.

          Found it hard to understand how government department would accept money so to market a company on the number plate itself so the marketing information cannot be altered or removed.

          Did not like it for privacy reason. how much would you like the public on the road to know where you buy the car, hence where you may live or whether it is a fleet car,

          The first warning was not to "cover the plate". Learnt.
          Subsequently, thought it was ok to remove the marketing slogan by cutting out permanently.
          The number was not touched. it was clearly visible. Word NSW was displayed, so did not think it was any issue at the time. surely now understood.
          The road rule on number plate was not so detailed and complex before.

  • captobvious on 10/02/2016 - 23:09
    +3

    Drive through mud if you want to hide your plates

    • eatwell365 on 10/02/2016 - 23:44
      +1

      yes, I do see that sometimes. some clean around the car except the back. so obvious that I doubt police would let off if caught.

      • captobvious on 11/02/2016 - 13:27
        +2

        Why would you clean that lovely mud off?

    • ThithLord on 11/02/2016 - 15:19

      That's still illegal to leave your plates obscured. Any self respecting police officer would notify you of that.

      • captobvious on 11/02/2016 - 17:35
        +3

        Ive been driving a muddy vehicle the last month. Cops haven't seem to give 2 shits so far even when they are behind at the maccas drive through.

  • Donaldhump on 10/02/2016 - 23:23

    spray it with glen twenty

    • eatwell365 on 10/02/2016 - 23:45

      really? can't google. does it work?

      • Donaldhump on 11/02/2016 - 08:45
        +8

        nah just some urban bullshit i got told…

  • shapers on 11/02/2016 - 00:06
    +2

    ghost plates

    • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 00:09

      legal?

      • shapers on 11/02/2016 - 10:46

        Definitely not haha, would not recommend it

  • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 00:11
    -1

    Think some use grinder/acid to get rid of the reflective surface - is this illegal too?

    • blitz on 11/02/2016 - 10:51
      +22

      No, it's entirely legal. I recommend you try it, and then report back.

  • PurpleHippo on 11/02/2016 - 01:13
    +12

    pretty sure obscuring your numberplate is illegal, therefore everything mentioned so far, and any other creative take on it, will fall under that.
    Best thing to do is to learn to drive in a safe and appropriate manner.

      • PurpleHippo on 11/02/2016 - 12:29

        You are talking about tampering your number plates, and you have already cut up your plates once before.
        It's not legal to obscure your number plates in anyway. If someone else is doing it, why do you care? Let the police deal with them. Hopefully the police will be as diligent with them as they appear to be with you.

        Stop trying to figure out loopholes and get your wife a bus pass if "she is not a skilled driver who is alert to surroundings and focus beyond the front bonnet."

        • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 13:56
          -2

          Plate reading technology was not readily available in the past. Road rules have moved forward with advancement in technology, so it was a unintentional mistake that I did not know it is against the road rule to touch the plate although the act did not alter the numbers or its visibility.

          Thank you for your comment but if you think I share my story here is for you to abuse, you are in the wrong site and perhaps you can share your story.

      • MementoMori on 11/02/2016 - 15:23
        +5

        Driving lessons are a much better and safer way to deal with this problem.

        It is a life long skill you will use for ~60 years, it's worth spending a few hundred on how to do it right (plus it's for your safety as well as others).

        It blows my mind people will spend $800 on a phone every year but are too tight to pay for a driving lesson.

      • johnno07 on 11/02/2016 - 17:33
        +7

        Your wife is the kind of driver that makes it dangerous for anyone else to be near a road.

        • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 18:40
          -2

          she has improved a lot since driving more. you and I were once P and L or frozen gold licence.

        • jaxpylon on 11/02/2016 - 19:24
          +6

          @eatwell365: You say "she is not a skilled driver who is alert to surroundings and focus beyond the front bonnet".

          Being aware of your surroundings is not just a trait of a skilled driver, it's a basic competency of driving at any level. It's like saying "she's not a skilled driver because she doesn't indicate" or "she doesn't understand roundabouts".

          If she doesn't have these fundamental skills or knowledge, she shouldn't be driving at all. And perhaps neither should you if you think it's acceptable. These are basic concepts that any instructor will make sure you're aware of before even leaving the driveway.

        • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 20:13
          -4

          @jaxpylon:

          thank you for your comment.

          it was a complete mistake that It did not come to my mind how serious and judgemental people can be behind the Internet.

          I was wrong to describe my wife as not a skilled driver and exaggerate her inability to drive, as this is to compare to my own personal standard and being sacarstic as a husband, as well as to make story more interesting.

          before any further judgemental comment, would ask commentators to have a look at personal driving record, as well as own family's. It has to be so perfect otherwise shall not be on the wheel.

          Enough said, should request moderator shall close this thread as my posted question has been answered.

          too many loka here - relax!!! respect freedom of speech and stop personal attack.

  • MasterNoob on 11/02/2016 - 07:00
    -3

    Stop speeding

    /endthread

    • bobbified on 11/02/2016 - 10:44
      +3

      Yes sir!

      but…..

      I'll just put this here:

      http://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/west/road-safety-experts-…

      It wasn't that long ago that they reduced the local speed limit from 60km/h to 50km/h. Then a new campaign started to reduce it from 50km/h to 40km/h.

      Now that we have 40km/h limits all over the place, the campaign to reduce the limit to 30km/h has started.

      Yes, that article is from the Herald Sun and it's not to be trusted, but they're also calling 30km/h the "safe speed" in this government dept website:
      .
      https://www.towardszero.vic.gov.au/#safe-speeds

      That's a sign of the times to come. Eventually, we'll just be walking.

      • cameldownunder on 11/02/2016 - 11:51
        -4

        There are plenty of zones where 30 kmh would be appropriate. But Hey, Australia is only 10 years behind, what street safety regards.
        Or why else would cars not use their lights, when it's raining !!!!

      • airzone on 11/02/2016 - 11:52
        +1

        At those brisk walking speeds, you'll probably get a speeding ticket.

  • iridiumstem on 11/02/2016 - 08:08
    +1

    Slightly tangent to this, but I remember watching a TV show (at my home country) that showed cops' works. One of the things I remember from that TV show is that there were 2 drivers who did what you were describing (one that had a special type of spray that makes the number plate unreadiable under the speed camera and one that obscured most part of the number plate). They both got fined, the police just looked up the car details and etc to find them.

    Judging from how S. Korea is usually more lenient with these kind of things and judging from how S. Korea has around half the Australian population in Seoul (10 mil vs 24 mil), I wouldn't be surprised if Australian polices can look those people with obscure number plates and fine them more for those. This is, if the TV show wasn't trying to make the police look good by making something that isn't doable to look doable.

  • bobbified on 11/02/2016 - 09:50
    +2

    In NSW, you may not need any type of "invisible" spray…

    The RTA/RMS were issued a range of numberplates called "Bright Lights" a few years ago and there were complaints that they could not be read under certain lighting conditions and angles. It sounds like what you're describing here.

    They seem to have recalled it (based on the article), but at the time of writing, the numberplates were still on sale online. So not sure if they actually ended up doing the recall.

    http://www.mynrma.com.au/get-involved/advocacy/news/nrma-cal…

    • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 09:56

      Interesting read, thanks. Sometimes like yours. More often the invisible plates look more like this. Sometimes dim plate light and dull letters.

  • miarn on 11/02/2016 - 11:13
    +3

    Obscuring your number plate is illegal. Full stop, end of story.

    Also, surprisingly, if you don't drive in an illegal manner you won't get fined.

    • cameldownunder on 11/02/2016 - 11:56
      -4

      There is a way to protect you from Speed traps ( at night ):
      A light sensor and a Flash. As soon as the (speed camera flash) is detected, the ob car flash triggers, and manages to blind the "Picture".
      But my guess is that speed cameras now shoot 2 pictures, or 1 from the back and one from the front.
      There was another loophole, where the driver would say it wasnt him, and when asked who it was he/she replied that he cannot be forced to testify against a member of the family. That's when they introduced the camera shot from the front.

      • chipstss on 11/02/2016 - 20:40
        +1

        They flash trick doesn't work, thats a myth.

  • Stphen on 11/02/2016 - 16:00
    +5

    Mythbusters episode tried every type of number plate obscuring device they could find (for example hairspray, plastic wrap, specialised spray formulas and license plate covers) against a speed camera and they all failed. Only thing that worked was a Drag car, it was going too fast for the camera to react.

    http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/mythbusters-da…

    • doofus on 11/02/2016 - 20:34
      +12

      That's because they weren't allowed to show you the methods that worked!

  • Kawaii69 on 11/02/2016 - 18:51
    +3

    If they had a brain they'd wire a bunch of infrared leds across the plate number that way they the plate numbers can be seen with the naked eye so no suspicion but cameras however would be blinded by the brightness of the leds and thus would be unable to capture them, the lights could be wired into the cigarette lighter with a parallel configuration with a switch so it could be easily turned on and off. Hasn't been tested but I reckon it would work

    • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 18:56
      +1

      too late, you can't patent the idea now : )since you have spoken,

      • Kawaii69 on 11/02/2016 - 19:00

        HAHAHHAHA rip to me

        • eatwell365 on 11/02/2016 - 19:01
          +1

          pm me first next time, may find you investors.

  • Azn310 on 11/02/2016 - 20:37
    +5

    Everything is legal until you get caught

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