With the recent dusting of snow we've received in the Friendly City, it's usual for drivers to clean off their windshield and lights before hitting the road. However, make sure not to forget to wipe off licence plates before heading out on your commute.

Snow covered licence plates that are obstructed by snow, slush or dirt, that prevents police from getting a proper reading can be subject to a ticket.

Tyler McMurchy, Manager of Media Relations with SGI:

"People are responsible for making sure their plates are visible, and under section 192 of the Traffic Safety Act there is an offence for driving a vehicle while licence plates are not visible or legible. There is a fine of $100 associated with that."

If your licence plate is not visible or the view is obscured from anything like a hitch, cover or tint, the fine is raised to $150.

"Now there is also another offence for driving with an obstructed licence plate, and that's actually a bit more serious - it's a $150 fine. That would refer to someone taking action to obstruct that licence plate and keep it from being read."

That includes using plastic 'tint' covers which prevent traffic cameras from getting a proper reading.

"The device itself isn't illegal, but it is illegal to drive with an obstructed licence plate, so if you put one of those things on your licence plate and you're observed by a police officer having a licence plate that is not visible at a certain angle or in a certain light condition, then yes you will be getting a $150 ticket."

While police won't often ticket someone for having a snow covered plate, it's good practice to clear off any snow while you're clearing snow off of your vehicle.