Can a scratched license plate still be used?
2 Answers
As long as it does not affect the recognition of the license plate number and there are no issues like cracking or damage, it can continue to be used. Here is a detailed introduction about it: 1. Situation one: As long as it does not affect the recognition of the license plate number and there are no issues like cracking or damage, no penalty points will be deducted. 2. Situation two: If the license plate is severely scratched, with unclear characters affecting its recognition, it needs to be replaced promptly. 3. Situation three: The surface of the license plate should be clear, neat, smooth, glossy, evenly colored, and uniformly reflective, without obvious wrinkles, bubbles, particle impurities, or other defects or damages.
I remember last time my license plate got scratched, and I was a bit worried it might not be usable. A friend told me it depends on the depth and location of the scratch—if it's just on the edge and doesn't blur the numbers or letters, it's usually fine. My own car had a shallow scratch from a tree branch, but the numbers were still clear, and I had no issues driving around. The key is to check the legibility: step back a bit or take a photo and zoom in to see. If the scratch happens to be over the numbers making them hard to read, you must get a new plate; otherwise, the police might issue a ticket, as traffic laws require clear license plates. I suggest you consult the DMV—minor damage is no big deal, but don't ignore major issues. A damaged plate affects driving safety, so don't risk it over small things. I regularly check my plates to avoid such situations. Also, be mindful of parking near hard objects.
