Grace period issued for plates

Friday, Nov. 22, 2002 | 9:42 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- All Nevadans are required to have their new "Sunset" license plates on their cars starting Jan. 1, but the Nevada Highway Patrol won't start handing out fines right away to motorists who miss the deadline.

"I don't want to cause any undue harm to any citizen," said Patrol Chief David Hosmer, who added motorists will be given a 90-day grace period, until the end of March, to put the new license plates on their vehicles.

Motorists may be stopped and warned but won't get a ticket. But if they are stopped a second time during the grace period, they will be cited, Hosmer said. The fine is $95 in Clark County for an illegal plate.

The issue was raised Thursday by Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, at a meeting of the Legislative Interim Finance Committee. Coffin said nobody should have to pay a fine. And if fines are handed out it would "bring down hell, fire and brimstone" from residents.

The law, Coffin said, allows the state to fine violators, but it is not mandatory.

Tom Jacobs, public information officer for the state Department of Motor Vehicles, said the new plates have been issued since November 2001. If the renewal date is next month, Jacobs said, a car owner "should make sure he gets his plates."

"Our concern is that no motorist suffer," he said.

Jacobs said the actions by the Nevada Highway Patrol do not extend to local law enforcement agencies, who could cite and fine errant motorists. He said the state is asking the local sheriffs and police to be lenient with those may have forgotten.

"But it's up to each jurisdiction," Jacobs said.

Jacobs said there will be public service announcements on television, radio and in newspapers reminding Nevadans they should have put on their new plates by Jan. 1.