This week's tip: know state laws when traveling outside your home state.
The fact is that most state laws begin with "All vehicles traveling on highways of [insert state here] must comply with the following..."
Even though your car is registered in your home state, by law, your car must comply with every other state you travel through.
I personally think this violates the Interstate Commerce Act, but so far no one has challenged the states on this ground. Drivers beware.
I know that states in my area: VA and DC target out of state license plates because 99% of the times the car is non-compliant, and 99% won't show up for court.
For example, a GA car with no front license plate, which is legal in GA, gets a front plate ticket while driving in DC. This ticket was upheld by a DC
judge.
Another example, an MD car with MD-legal tint 35% all around gets a tint ticket while driving in VA where the legal limit is 50% front/35% rear. This ticket was upheld by a county judge.
I can go on and on. Please be aware of different state laws when traveling outside of your home state to avoid harassment.
I won't comment on law enforcement legitimacy or their comprehension of the legal codes. I'll just say that a lawyer who went through 3 years of law school and passed the bar is going to know a little more than a state trooper who went through the police academy. You can infer what you wish.
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