if so.. how come all the choppers and customs do not have illuminated license plates? ..
.
.
.

 

I suppose it depends on the state. In Texas that is part of the annual state inspection (read tax) of all vehicles. The rear license plate must be illuminated.

 

pretty sure its the same here in NY, you gotta have one. but if you're riding in the day time, what cop is gonna pull you over for not having your license plate illuminated? that being said, who actually rides only in the day time? probably no one

 

varies from state to state , guessing not a real high priority for a stop , unless they want a reason

 

They are illegal in EVERY State... sometimes.

That "sometimes" is at night. Your plate MUST be illuminated at night. So, if you only ride during the daylight hours, you don't need a light on your plate.

Most of these custom choppers are not street legal at all, and cannot even be titled as street vehicles. They can be titled as hobbyist/dune/parade/seasonal/whatever (the actual name varies), so most of the various laws don't apply to them. So, they don't need fenders, lights, plate lights, etc.

The rest of these custom choppers use a clear spot in the taillight to illuminate the plate, and so are legal.

 

well your right most are technically not street legal but in some states , but saying "Most of these custom choppers are not street legal at all, and cannot even be titled as street vehicles. They can be titled as hobbyist/dune/parade/seasonal/whatever (the actual name varies), so most of the various laws don't apply to them. So, they don't need fenders, lights, plate lights, etc. is not correct in all states". Those classifications may exist in your state but the most certainloy don't in Illinois.

 

Plate does not need light in VA to pass yearly state inspection. Clearly in the book. However if say it does have 2 bulbs like my stock 04, they must work and will not pass unless one is working. Sure ever state is different. If I took off the stock plate and bulbs off and just stuck the plate on the side I would be discussing it with the state inspector first.

 

License plate lighting is required by Federal statute under FMVSS 108 ( 24 hours a day ). Whether or not your state chooses to enforce the federal law is a separate issue, just like whether or not they choose to enforce the requirement for the EPA stamp on your exhaust system.

BTW, Kuryakyn makes LED lighted tag bolts for around $20.00

 

That's what I used and they work great and look very cool at night.

 

They are required in almost all states, and it gives the police probable cause to pull you over when they are out and lookin for DUI's.