A license plate is a metal or plastic plate attached to a motor vehicle or trailer for official identification purposes. The government provides license plates and requires them to be displayed prominently.
Have you ever worried about someone stealing your license plate? Wondered how to prevent this from happening? Theft of license plates is an unfortunate problem with reports of thousands stolen every year across the country. Knowing how to keep your license plate secure is important to avoid hassle and costs associated with replacement.
License plates can reveal personal details like where you live making them a target for thieves. Taking basic precautions such as securing your plate properly and parking in well-lit areas can help reduce risks of theft. Learning effective techniques for protection is worthwhile given how hassle and expense replacement causes.
Secure Your License Plate
It’s important to securely attach your license plate. Your plate could fall off if not properly fastened. Mount the plate using the pre-drilled holes in your vehicle. Make sure to use screws of adequate length.
Tightly screw the plate into place. The screws should be fastened firmly so the plate does not move around. Regularly check that your plate remains securely in position. Over time vibrations could cause screws to loosen. Tighten any screws that feel loose. Taking proactive steps helps ensure your plate is not easily removed by anyone seeking to Watch Law Abiding Citizen. Simple prevention methods make your vehicle less of an attractive target and provide peace of mind. Regular inspection and maintenance of plate attachment bolsters your efforts to keep personal property secure.
How Do I Securely Attach My License Plate?
Most vehicles have pre-drilled holes specifically for license plate mounting. Align the plate holes with the vehicle holes. Then thread screws through the plate and into the pre-drilled holes. Use your hands or a screwdriver to tighten the screws snugly.
Be sure to use screws long enough to adequately fasten the plate. Screws that are too short won’t hold the plate securely. Tighten the screws firmly without over tightening. This will ensure the plate stays stationary without causing damage to mounting holes.
What Type Of License Plate Screws Should I Use?
Stainless steel screws made specifically for license plates are recommended. These corrosion-resistant screws are designed for outdoor use on vehicles. Avoid plain steel screws which can rust over time outdoors.
License plate screw size will depend on your vehicle, but #6 x 1/2 inch is a common length. Longer screws may be needed if using thick license plate frames. Consult your owner’s manual for specifications.
How Tightly Should I Screw In The License Plate?
Screw the license plate securely without over-tightening. You want the plate firmly in place but not so tight it’s difficult to remove if needed. Use a screwdriver and tighten screws until snug against the mounting holes.
Periodically check that screws remain tight. Vibrations from driving can cause screws to gradually loosen over time. Give screws a quarter turn with a screwdriver if any feel loose so the plate stays stationary.
Can I Add Lock Washers To Further Secure Screws?
Adding lock washers between the license plate and mounting surface provides extra security. The toothed edges of lock washers help prevent screws from loosening due to vibration.
Be sure to use small stainless steel lock washers that fit properly between the plate and vehicle. Oversized lock washers could potentially cause damage over time. Proper fitting lock washers provide increased protection without risk of interference.
Conceal Personal Details On Your License Plate
License plates display personal identifying information like your name and address. Concealing these details can help protect your privacy and security. Don’t attach documents like registration or insurance to your car.
What Personal Details Are Displayed On License Plates?
Your license plate number can be traced back to your name and home address through vehicle registration records. In some areas, your birth month and year may also be part of the plate number code. Personal details on papers in your car provide additional information to anyone who looks inside.
Does My License Plate Number Reveal Where I Live?
While your license plate alone does not show your exact address, the number is linked to your name and residential address on file with the DMV. Someone with access to motor vehicle records could lookup the registration and find where you live from the plate number.
Can Changing My Plate Design Help Conceal Private Information?
Purchasing a specialty or personalized plate may help prevent others from immediately identifying your plate number when seen from a distance or in photos. The extra letters and designs can make plates less easily readable than standard issue. However, the number is still traceable through DMV records.
How Can I Obscure Identifying Details On My License Plate?
Consider a license plate frame that conceals the top and bottom edges of your plate. You can also install a partial cover that blocks out the first 3 characters, or use a privacy cover at night that obscures the entire plate in dark conditions. Avoid obstructing the plate in ways that could be illegal.
Park In Well-Lit Areas
Where you leave your car has a big impact on theft risk. Park in well-lit areas as much as possible. Dimly lit spots give thieves coverage of darkness to work. Bright outdoor lights make illegal activity too visible.
When running errands at night, select parking near streetlights in busy, open areas. Shop near the front of stores rather than way in back lots. Consider security as much as convenience when choosing a parking space. Well-lit places provide natural surveillance to deter criminal behavior.
Parking Location Impact License Plate Theft Risk
5 short tips on how parking location can impact your license plate theft risk
- Busy streets – Parking on a busy main road with regular foot and vehicle traffic provides more eyes on your car. Thieves avoid stealing in high visibility areas.
- Well-lit at night – Dark, secluded areas are a target for thieves as they can work without being seen. Park under street lamps or facility lighting after dusk.
- Near buildings – When possible, park close to occupied buildings rather than at the far edges of lots where fewer people are around to witness unusual activity.
- Covered parking – An attached garage or secure parking facility provides a physical barrier from would-be thieves compared to fully exposed outdoor spaces.
- Avoid alleyways – Narrow driveways or back alleyways without passerbys offer cover for criminal acts like fast license plate removal without being noticed.
Are Dimly Lit Parking Areas More Dangerous For My License Plate?
Yes, dim parking significantly raises the danger of plate theft. Thieves prefer shadowy spots where the cover of night lets them take plates without notice. Strong lighting floods hidden areas with visibility that deters illegal acts. Park in well-lit places as a simple step to reduce risk and discourage would-be thieves.
Which Public Areas Have The Best Lighting For Reducing Theft?
Grocery store lots, shopping centers, hospitals and municipal buildings typically have bright security lighting throughout their parking areas. Park near entrances and away from trees or obstructions blocking illumination. Street lights along busy downtown sidewalks also provide optimal visibility and natural surveillance against theft.
What Precautions Can I Take In Low-Light Apartment Complex Parking Lots?
Without individually lit spaces, apartment lots pose challenges. Try parking near pathways and buildings rather than back corners. Consider aftermarket lighting strapped under the vehicle. Immediately report any broken lights to management. Being predictable with parking locations removes element of chance valuable to thieves.
Consider Anti-Theft Devices For Your License Plate
Anti-theft devices can provide added protection for your license plate from would-be thieves. Plate locks, covers, and alarms help deter illegal removal of your plate and conceal identifying details. Choosing strong anti-theft options makes your plate less appealing to steal compared to other vehicles without such security measures in place.
Types Of Anti-Theft Devices Are Available To Protect License Plates
| Device | Description |
| Security screws | Tamper-resistant specialty screws like torx or hex head require a matching tool to remove, deterring quick theft. |
| Locking mounting brackets | Reinforced metal brackets with locking mechanisms secure plates tightly and cannot be removed without a key. |
| Electronic tracking tags | Small tracking devices can be concealed within plates triggering alerts if plates are removed from proximity of owner’s vehicle. |
| Radio frequency ID (RFID) shields | Shielding material wraps plates, blocking RFID scanning to prevent long-range electronic cloning of plate numbers. |
| License plate covers | Covers blur or conceal plate numbers from cameras while still displaying openly, though legality varies by state. |
| Tamper-evident adhesive | Special adhesive applied between plate and mount leaves clear residue if plate is forcibly removed, aiding police investigations. |
How Do License Plate Locks Prevent Removal Of My Plates?
Plate locks secure over the mounting screws or bolts on the plate. This deters theft by blocking easy access to the hardware. Thieves must destroy the lock to steal the plate, creating unwanted noise and attention. locks only take a minute to attach but provide powerful prevention from quick plate swiping.
Do License Plate Covers Help Camouflage Plate Information?
Yes, covers that wrap the front and back obscure plate details, making the numbers unreadable from a distance. This adds confusion during theft attempts when scouting for specific plate details. Covers also protect the plate surface from weathering or damage over time.
How Effective Are License Plate Alarm Systems?
Plate alarms offer excellent theft prevention through noise. When the plate is removed, a loud alarm activates to immediately scare offenders away. Some include motion or vibration triggers. The blaring sound draws attention and alerts you or others about the incident in progress. Alarms combined with locks provide top-level protection.
Frequently Asked Question
Preventing Easy Removal
Keeping your license plate securely fastened to your vehicle with tamper-resistant screws or bolts makes it much harder for thieves to remove on the go.
Adding Security Screws
Replacing standard license plate screws with security torx or hex-head screws requires a special tool to remove, acting as a deterrent.
Monitoring Parking Spots
When parking on the street or in unattended lots, choose well-lit areas near pedestrian traffic or security cameras if possible.
License Plate Covers
Some covers blur or conceal the plate number from long-range cameras while still displaying it openly, though legality varies by state.
Reporting Theft Promptly
Contact the police right away if your plates are stolen so they can be logged in databases to prevent fraudulent use of the numbers.
Conclusion
Keeping your license plate secured and monitoring for any signs of tampering is important for deterring theft. Simple steps like parking in well-lit areas where thieves are less hidden, installing the right anti-theft devices, and routinely inspecting screws and locks go a long way in discouraging criminal activity. With minimal effort on your part, you can better protect this valuable identifying information attached to your vehicle.
Following basic license plate security best practices makes your plate less enticing to steal compared to others. Thieves largely seek vulnerable targets they can quickly swipe and flee from. Taking basic precautions signals you pay attention and are not an easy mark. Combined with promptly reporting suspicious incidents, these measures safeguard your plate and help deny thieves their illegal aims in your local area.
