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Bill to allow single (rear) license plates draws toll and law‑enforcement opposition
Summary
Delegate Scott’s proposal to allow vehicles without front plates prompted opposition from toll operators and Virginia State Police who said front plates assist toll cameras and law enforcement; the subcommittee tabled the bill 6–2.
Delegate Scott presented House Bill 11‑98 to exempt vehicles registered in states without front plates from Virginia’s front‑plate requirement. Supporters, including Derek Max of the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy, said the measure would reduce unnecessary visual modification of cars and could limit pretextual stops. Scott said many out‑of‑state vehicles simply cannot mount a front plate without modification.
Opponents included toll operator representatives and law enforcement. Elizabeth Parker of Troutman Strategies, for Transurban/Centra, said express‑lane cameras are calibrated to read both front and rear plates and that removing front plates would reduce tolling accuracy. Virginia State Police told members that front plates increase the ability to obtain ownership information, assist automated enforcement and help identify vehicles recorded by business cameras. Several delegates and treasurers also raised enforcement and revenue concerns.
After questions and testimony, the subcommittee tabled HB 11‑98 on a 6–2 vote. The record captures a policy tradeoff between motorist convenience and law‑enforcement/tolling operational needs.
