Ontario driver charged for using licence plate-concealing technology

A driver in Ontario has been charged after police discovered a device on their vehicle that conceals the licence plate with just a push of a button.

According to Halton police, an officer spotted a black Porsche Panamera 4S in Milton that appeared to be driving without a licence plate this weekend.

With just a push of a button, this Ontario driver can block their licence plate, police said. (Halton police)“The vehicle was missing its front licence plate,” Const. Christopher Mccullough told CTV News Toronto. “As the Porsche passed the police vehicle [..] we saw the rear plate was missing. Well, we thought it was missing at the time.”

But when the officer looked closely, he realized the driver was using a licence plate concealing device.

A tweet, released by police on Sunday, shows what appears to be a black retractable cover that blocks the licence plate from view.

The licence plate can be concealed by pressing a button in the driver seat, police said.

• Download our app to get local alerts on your device
• Get the latest local updates right to your inbox

Police confirmed the driver was given two $110 tickets – one for having an obstructed plate, and the other for appearing to not have a licence plate – and could face additional charges if they were using the device to avoid paying tolls.

A spokesperson for the 407 ETR told CTV News Toronto toll evasion is something it takes “very seriously.”

“We work to track and pursue toll evaders to the full extent of the law,” the statement reads.

According to the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, it is illegal for any driver to obstruct their licence plate.

"The entire number plate, including the numbers, is plainly visible at all times, and the view of the number plate shall not be obscured or obstructed by spare tires, bumper bars, any part of the vehicle, any attachments to the vehicle or the load carried."

Obstructing licence plates also makes it nearly impossible for speed, red light and Highway 407 toll cameras to issue fines and fees.

With files from CTV News Toronto’s Pat Foran