Sovereign citizen license plates are unofficial, self-created plates used by individuals who believe they are not subject to government regulations. These plates often feature phrases like “Private Property” or “Sovereign Citizen” and may resemble legitimate state-issued plates, but they are not legally recognized anywhere in the U.S.
Law enforcement officers frequently stop vehicles displaying these plates, as driving without proper registration is illegal and can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, or arrest. Despite their lack of legality, sovereign citizen license plates continue to appear on roads, often leading to confrontations with authorities.
What is a sovereign citizen?
While sovereign citizens can identify themselves differently and hold varying beliefs, most profess that federal, state, or municipal governments are illegitimate and unqualified to enforce laws, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Those who profess sovereign citizen ideologies may refer to themselves as state citizens, constitutionalists or American state nationals. Law enforcement officers can often identify sovereign citizens by a label on their license plates, which are often entirely fraudulent.
What is a sovereign citizen license plate?
The artificial plates utilized by many sovereign citizens often read “private” or “free man.” They are presumably intended to indicate to law enforcement officers that they believe that they are not subject to some or all vehicle regulations or traffic laws. These plates are almost always illegal and can be bought online, WCNC reported. When stopped, sovereigns are often verbally combative, which can escalate to physical resistance.
Are sovereign citizen license plates legal?
All drivers in the U.S. are required to carry valid driver’s licenses and all vehicles are required to have valid license plates and vehicle registrations. They can only be obtained through the driver’s home state. Any homemade plate or plate bought through an online retailer does not satisfy road regulations. Some states also prohibit license plate frames or any decoration that obscures any part of a legal license plate.
What do sovereign citizen license plates look like?
Plates utilized by sovereign citizens typically look distinct from legal plates, as they lack the state-specific decals and imagery. Some common plates read “private,” “exempt” or “traveler.” Most are black or white, with one of the more famous plates sporting a planet earth logo with the words “peace on Earth, good will toward men.”
How do sovereign citizens get their specialized license plate?
The plates are available for sale at online retailers like Amazon. Some plates can also be homemade due to their simplicity and lack of legal identification.
Can police stop you for having a sovereign citizen license plate?
Yes, officers in most jurisdictions can stop drivers for any vehicle infraction, including invalid or missing license plates. Some departments have policies preventing any traffic stop for “minor” traffic infractions in order to limit “pretextual stops.” In specific settings, these policies could prevent officers from stopping sovereign citizens exclusively because of an illegal plate.
