Legal Question in Traffic Law in Pennsylvania

I was pulled over in PA on Friday night because of a headlight being out on my vehicle. The officer found that my registration was expired by two months. She told me she had to take my license plate and have the vehicle towed. I was told she was sending it to Harrisburg as a "dead plate" and that I would need to get a new one in order to get my vehicle back. Was she really required to take my plate?


Asked on 10/27/14, 9:11 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
ANDREA G. TILLIS Law Offices of Andrea G. Tillis

Thank you for your question.

No, the police officer was not required to take your plate. They usually just write out a ticket to the motorist. They do not normally remove the license plate from the car, or have the vehicle towed away because the owner would not be able to have the vehicle inspected. And, when the vehicle is inspected, the station performing the inspection would simply put a current sticker on the license plate and in the left lower corner of the front windshield.

By removing the license plate from your vehicle and having it towed away, the police officer made it literally impossible for you to have your vehicle inspected.

Kindest regards,

ANDREA G. TILLIS

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Answered on 10/27/14, 1:12 pm


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