New York's License Plate Laws don't work for Bike Racks
One of the most frustrating issues for cyclists in New York is getting a ticket for having a rear bike rack that “obstructs” or “obscures” the license plate. Has this happened to you? If so, please let NYBC know at
There are three laws in New York that work together to make it very difficult to legally carry bikes on cars even for careful, well-meaning cyclists:
- New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 402 requires unobstructed front and rear license plates: “(a) No person shall operate, drive or park a motor vehicle on the public highways of this state unless such vehicle shall have a distinctive number … conspicuously displayed, one on the front and one on the rear of such vehicle, each securely fastened so as to prevent the same from swinging and placed, whenever reasonably possible, not higher than forty-eight inches and not lower than twelve inches from the ground; ... (b) Number plates shall be kept clean and, in a condition, so as to be easily readable and shall not be covered by glass or any plastic material…. and the view of such number plates shall not be obstructed by any part of the vehicle or by anything carried thereon”.
- New York City, NYCRR 4-08(J)(2) has a similar impact, although it speaks to non-moving vehicles. “No person shall stand or park a vehicle unless it properly displays the current plate or plates issued to it…. plates shall not be deemed properly displayed unless they are conspicuously displayed, one on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle, each securely fastened… whenever reasonably possible…, and they are kept clean and, in a condition, so as to be readable.”
- New York State Code sec. 182.29 makes most roof racks illegal on state parkways “No vehicle will be permitted to enter or operate within the parkway system with any article of any kind on the outside of the vehicle, unless such article is carried in or upon a rack designed for that purpose. The maximum projection of both the article and rack above the roof of the vehicle shall not exceed 30 inches and the overall height of the vehicle, including article and rack shall not exceed 10 feet.”
NYBC believes that New Yorkers should be able to legally use racks to transport their bicycles. As the law currently stands, that isn’t feasible for most of us, so you are left with options of knowingly being out of legal compliance, or never transporting your bike by vehicle. That’s not reasonable! If you’ve been ticketed for violations of these, or any similar statutes, could you please let us know at
Thanks to NYBC Board Member Daniel Flanzig of NewYorkBikeLawyers.com, Flanzig and Flanzig, LLP for providing this summary.
Disclaimer: Nothing on this page should be construed as legal advice nor does the use of this page create an attorney-client relationship. The advice on this page offers a general overview of the laws in New York. Remember, every incident or claim is specific and the guidelines may not be applicable to your particular case. As always, we suggest contacting an attorney with any legal claim or issue before taking action on your own behalf.