If You Have DUI Plates Are You More Likely to Be Pulled Over for Other Reasons?

We’ve all seen the yellow and red DUI “Scarlet Letter plates” while driving around Columbus. It’s true that they can be embarrassing for many people who have been arrested for a DUI or other serious traffic offense and even attract unwanted attention from other drivers, but do they have other consequences for motorists on the road?

According to the Toledo Blade, Pickwick County municipal judge John Adkins who helped draft the law in the first place says yes—and that is the goal. He readily tells those sentenced to drive with the restricted plates that law enforcement will be on the lookout for their cars, and more likely to pull drivers with restricted plates over for any reason. The idea is that it gives police a better idea of who may be more likely to break traffic laws and that it will “scare straight” any former DUI offenders.

In fact, any trivial offense, such as ever so slightly speeding or not signaling, is motive enough to get you pulled over when on DUI plates. Even simply driving very late at night or on the weekend while using DUI plates will put your car under more scrutiny.

When Do I Have to Use DUI Plates?

So when do drivers get sentenced to using DUI plates in Columbus? Under Ohio law, restriction plates are mandatory on all DUI offenses except a first offense with a “low end” test result (defined as under 0.17). In most cases, they are required as soon as you request limited driving privileges after a DUI conviction.

DUI plates have to be used by any driver who uses the car shared with the offender sentenced to use the plates. That means that if you share a car with a spouse or children, they will also be subject to additional scrutiny by highway patrol when driving. Because of this, most people only use DUI plates if they absolutely need to drive.

People driving with DUI plates attract negative attention from other drivers and police alike. They even often find themselves more often the target of road rage. Some people even report job consequences due to the conspicuous bright yellow plates. Despite this, DUI plates are only one of the less serious consequences you face after an OVI conviction in Ohio. That’s why it is so important to fight DUI charges with the best resources you have available. The experienced Columbus OVI lawyers at Luftman, Heck & Associates are prepared to help you build the strongest defense possible against any OVI charges. Call Columbus OVI lawyer Benjamin Luftman at (614) 500-3836 today for a free consultation on your case.