bikenj

Anyone try to fight a ticket in NYC for a bike rack that "blocked" the license plate?
I have a picture and you can clearly see all letters/numbers of the plate.
Thanks

oldnslow2

Traffic tickets are figured into the NYC budget. So good luck fighting it.

wschruba 

The wording is loose enough that merely having something in front of the plate constitutes 'blocking'.

Technically, they're always within their right to give you a ticket for it (NJ/NY). Most of the people that I know that have actually gotten a ticket for it go out and apply for a second (third) plate. They're not expensive, compared to the ticket.

Steve B.

The added plate works on a lot of hitch units, not so much on bike racks, where the bike is hiding the rack. But 'dunno, maybe somebody makes a special rack adapter for a plate.

I'm actually surprised the NYPD cops actually wrote a ticket for this. There's a gazillion things they can go after folks for, tinted windows, broken tail lights, etc....

I got a ticket in the middle of Brooklyn a few years back in my Ford, a rainy day, I was stopped for a failed brake light and a failed running light. Mind that I had my lights on in the rain, which NOBODY on the road around me - including the cop, had on. Thus he knew I had a missing running light. Then the shmuck gives me a ticket for a failed brake light after I slammed on the brakes to avoid rear ending a VW with NO brake lights, no lights on and no turn signal. I was about to friggin go off on the cop, a Highway Patrol Officer, way out of his normal patrol area (the Parkways) but knew I could just go buy bulbs and show the receipt to my LEO's locally.

What I've learned about NYC having worked there for 37 years is the typical NYPD beat and highway cops are complete and total dicks.

qajaq 

There doing away with toll booths in may places and rely on EZ Pass or license plate photos to collect tolls. So there is added attention given to toll beaters with obstructed plates. It's always about the money.

Yourfriendmikem

I've never won anytime Ive fought an NYC ticket. Doesn't mean I wouldn't keep trying!

csport

I did it! When I moved from NJ to NY in 2009, the car had valid NJ inspection sticker, which is valid for some time after the move to NY. They kept giving me tickets for missing inspection, and I had to send them the photo of the NJ one every time.

Also, the following worked for me with the parking tickets: dispute the ticket online. It will offer to not dispute the ticket and get a discount. Agree to it and get the fine reduced. No need to go anywhere. This may or may not work for the ticket the OP got. Why not try?

Off topic: Got rid of the car and has been happy since then. Got the bike to become ultra happy.

DynoD500_SR20-d

Just show a photo with the rack not blocking the plate and they should dismiss it. It can be as simple as an equipment ticket.

Wreckster

Riding buddy just got nailed for this up here in new windsor. Sounds like cops are cracking down on having racks, shame as mine is almost always on my car.