State to state traffic law differences question
Posted by Mikesoccer98@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 6 comments
If you drive from state A to state B for a vacation, business or just traveling through and get pulled over what are the rules for them ticketing you for your vehicle if the issue is legal in your state but not the one you are in? For example let's use window tint. Say for instance in your state the %'s of light blocked allowed is more lenient than another state. Can they/will they write you a window tint ticket and will it hold up in court if you don't live in that state, your car is not registered in that state and the tint is the legal amount in the state you live and the car is registered in?
Just a silly thought that crossed my mind but if you are traveling cross country through many states how can you be expected to modify your car to fit the law in every state or even know what the various state laws are regarding things like this? Any Judges, lawyers or cops know the answer?
fishuponfish@reddit
The state I grew up in required a front plate but the way it was written there was no penalty for not having one so I didn't. Never had an issue till I got a fix it ticket going through south Dakota. The cop had a list of all states that needed front plates and used that as a reason to stop, when he found no other issues he gave me a ticket for that.
Mikesoccer98@reddit (OP)
Yep, I'm in SC and we only get one plate for the rear of the car. If I drive through a 2 plate state they can cite me from what folks are saying . I find it odd that we as a country have never come up with a system to protect drivers who are just visiting or traveling through. Theoretically you might have to pull of your window tint, somehow get a second license plate, install a catalytic converter, swap out your muffler, undo certain engine modifications and so forth just to drive to another state to visit. One would think the federal government would have come up with some sort of overriding law dealing with this even though they have granted states the rights to regulate motor vehicles, such as if just visiting and it's legal in your state it's fine.
ScienceGuy1006@reddit
Wow, you're talking as if everyone crossing a state line has to pull over into an inspection station.
fishuponfish@reddit
In my case I was supposed to have two but never had issues in my home state and then was cited for not having two in another state. If you're in a one plate state you won't be cited for having one in other states. If you have something say window tint that is darker than South Carolina allows but no one where you live cares you may end up cited in another state if they know the limit for what you're supposed to have.
harley97797997@reddit
Can they? Yes, in most cases.
Will they? That depends on the officer, your attitude, and what law you violated. Also how often you drive in the other state.
Will it stand in court? Depends on the judge. Most likely, as long as it's legal in your state, the judge will drop the charge.
All of this is solely for equipment violations. Moving violations are entirely different.
For front license plates, most if not all 'front plate required' states have an 'if issued' caveat in the law. If you never received one due to your state not issuing them, it's not a law violation.
Police have discretion on writing citations and enforcing laws. Part of that discretion is reasonableness. It's not reasonable for you to modify your vehicle to comply with other states' laws.
blakeh95@reddit
Can they? Yes, of course. Each state is sovereign over its own territory and doesn't owe any deference to your home state.
Will they? Not always. Cops can exercise discretion not to issue a citation.
Yes, you are expected to know the laws of the areas you want to go to. Ignorance is no defense.