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information. Contact Public Affairs at the Ministry of Transportation 
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Province of British Columbia NEWS RELEASE
 For Immediate Release 
 
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND HIGHWAYS 
MINISTRY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL 
 
File No. 043/96 April 22, 1996 
 
INCREASED FINES FOR OBSTRUCTED LICENCE PLATES 
 
VICTORIA - Fines for obstructed licence plates on vehicles will increase 
from the current $50 to $150, effective immediately. 
 
Transportation and Highways Minister Corky Evans said, "The new measure
addresses concerns that unsafe speeders may deliberately obstruct their
licences."
 
"It also threatens police investigations," said Attorney General Ujjal
Dosanjh. "Hit and run crashes, robberies and other crimes are often
solved because a witness has noted the licence plate of the vehicle 
involved in the incident. This, of course, enables police to identify
the owner."
 
All vehicles in British Columbia, with the exception of motorcycles, 
must display both front and rear licence plates. Licence plates on
vehicles must be clean, clearly visible, unobstructed and readable
from any angle. 
 
"This has always been the law and it has always been enforced," said
Evans. "All that has changed is the amount of the fine. I encourage 
drivers to examine their plates and ensure that they have not
obstructed them unintentionally."
 
Common obstructions include trailer hitches, licence plate covers,
dust and dirt, and unusual plate locations. Commercial vehicles
sometimes have plates mounted beneath the chassis where they are
difficult to see, and off-road vehicles may have plates partly hidden
behind reinforcing bars. 
 
Owners of unusual foreign vehicles cannot claim that their vehicles 
is only designed for one plate. Federal law requires that all vehicles 
imported into Canada must accept front and rear plates. 
 
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 Contacts: [DELETED]