License Plates on Fire Apparatus

[EMT324]

Our department recently had an accident. On the way back from an MVA one of our trucks was run off the road and into a ditch. Luckily nobody was injured and we all had our seatbelts on. Now on to my question. As soon as the State Trooper arrived, his first question was "Where is the license plate for this vehicle?". Our chief advised him he was not aware that you had to have a liscense plate on a fire apparatus. The trooper said that you do have to have a liscense plate. So my question is, how many departments have license plates on their vehicles? And is it a law?

[WTFD10]

We don't have them on our apparatus.

I did a search of Anderson's Online ORC and couldn't find any answer. Chapter 4503 covers License Plates.

[PFD109NFD107]

we don't have them on ours either but not sure on the exact law. I agree with WTFD check his link and you should find it. Either that or you can call and speak with someone at the BMV.

[WTFD10]

Maybe this section applies?

§ 4503.16. State and federal vehicle registration.

As used in this section, "original owner" includes, with respect to any motor vehicle owned by the federal government and loaned to the state or any of its political subdivisions for use in a federal program, the state or the political subdivision to which the motor vehicle has been loaned and in the name of which the vehicle is registered.

Title to motor vehicles acquired by the state or any of its political subdivisions, whether used for either governmental or proprietary functions, shall be registered. Motor vehicles owned by the federal government and loaned to the state or any of its political subdivisions for use in a federal program shall be registered in the name of the state or political subdivision without the presentation of a certificate of title or other evidence of ownership as required by section 4503.10 of the Revised Code, when the registrar is satisfied that the motor vehicles are on loan from the federal government and are being used exclusively in a federal program. Such vehicles that have been registered and that are used exclusively in the performance of the governmental or proprietary functions of the state or any political subdivision thereof shall not be subject to charge of any kind; but this provision does not exempt the operation of such vehicles from any other provision of Chapters 4501., 4503., 4505., 4507., 4509., 4511., 4515., and 4517. of the Revised Code, and the penal laws relating to them.

The registrar of motor vehicles shall accept any application to register a motor vehicle owned by the federal government that may be made by any officer, department, or agent of such government.

The registrar shall issue permanent license plates for motor vehicles acquired by the state or any of its political subdivisions, or loaned to the state or any of its political subdivisions by the federal government for use in a federal program, which have been registered and that are used exclusively in the performance of the governmental or proprietary functions of the state or any political subdivision thereof, or are used exclusively in a federal program. The registrar shall also issue permanent license plates for all motor vehicles owned and registered by the federal government. Such permanent license plates if lost, stolen, or destroyed, shall be replaced gratis with another permanent number.

Upon the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle or termination by the federal government of any loan of a motor vehicle for which permanent license plates are issued, the registration of such motor vehicle shall expire and the original owner shall immediately remove such license plates from such motor vehicle. Should the original owner at any time make application for the registration of another motor vehicle, he may file an application for transfer of registration accompanied by the original certificate of registration, for which there shall be no transfer fee.

HISTORY: GC § 6295; 100 v 72, § 6; 103 v 763; 108 v PtII 1078; 111 v 302; 115 v 101; 116 v 286, § 7; 116 v 295; 123 v 660; Bureau of Code Revision, 10-1-53; 128 v 1173 (Eff 11-2-59); 131 v 1074 (Eff 10-30-65); 135 v H 90 (Eff 1-1-75); 137 v H 3 (Eff 1-1-79); 138 v H 453. Eff 3-27-80.

[MetalMedic]

We have "Turn In An Arsonist" and "1-800-GRAB-DUI" plates on our trucks. I am not aware of a requirement to display a license plate, but I do believe that a plate must be issued to each vehicle. I would call your local State Patrol Post and ask to speak with the Post Commander to get his/her opinion on what you need to do to be compliant with the ORC.

[EMT324]

Thanks for all the info guys. Our town clerk contacted the BMV today and they advised that fire trucks dont need a liscense plate. I think our chief is still going to contact our local OSP commander to clear things up with him.

[Weruj1]

we used to have plates on a couple vehicles......... they eventually over time broke off and never got replaced. Dont see to many here and it would seem silly for a marked unit to have plates, no ?

[firenresq77]

We have them on a few vehicles, but most do not.........

[PFD109NFD107]

Originally posted by EMT324
As soon as the State Trooper arrived, his first question was "Where is the license plate for this vehicle?".

You should have asked to see his license plate. I believe all the troopers have the 1 800 GRAB-DUI plates.

[MetalMedic]

Originally posted by PFD109NFD107


You should have asked to see his license plate. I believe all the troopers have the 1 800 GRAB-DUI plates.

Them silly troopers took our plates!!!???!!!???

So, did the Chief get a response from the Post Commander?

[SSHANK42]

EMT324, if your firetruck was red instead of white the trooper may have noticed that it was a firetruck.

[ff7134]

No plates at either department

[MetalMedic]

Originally posted by SSHANK42
EMT324, if your firetruck was red instead of white the trooper may have noticed that it was a firetruck.

Careful now... our trucks are white too!!!

Orrville Fire Department

[EMT324]

You know, I never thought of that!

But there is just something I like about a white firetruck! However SSHANK42 I have to compliment your department's newest arrival. I really like the black over red!

[WMFF12]

Hey Weruj1, what part of Ohio? Looks like you might be a bit north of me!

Oh... and no plates on ours either, however the non- profit EMS Dept. that runs here does...

[Firemedic515]

I work part-time for a city department and a non-profit private department here in NE Ohio. Neither department has license plates on any vehicles.

[nmfire]

CT state law says we don't need to have plates or register them with the DMV unless it is going to cross state lines.

[MichaelD77]

In Ohio, license plates on fire apparatus are optional, last I heard.

[dday05]

You know, I never thought of that!

But there is just something I like about a white firetruck! However SSHANK42 I have to compliment your department's newest arrival. I really like the black over red!

Is there a site to look at this truck mentioned above?

We don't have plates on our trucks and trailer as we have a rehab trailer. But in a way it sort of would make sense to have them I guess.

As far as the OSP he's a cop what else is there to say? Joking aside it's probably rare to have an incident with vehicles like fire trucks, and if all you deal with is everyday people and their vehicles it probably is just a habit to say that.

[Nozzleman216]

not sure about the truck mentioned above, but here is a link to our newest arrival. All other trucks are yellow, but everyone loves this new color and I would say before before long all will be this color.

http://cms.firehouse.com/content/app...l.jsp?id=45579

Not a great pic, I have a few more but would have to upload them somewhere if you would like to see it better. Also, not only are the trucks yellow, they are Sutphens.