Vehicle lifts in Arizona: plate height, state name and heat

Arizona's plate law does something unusual: it mentions a wheelchair carrier or wheelchair lift by name, in the part that says where plates go. It also includes a detail that is easy to overlook, the state name at the top of the plate. Put a scooter lift on the hitch and both become things to plan for.

Here is the text, what it means for choosing a lift, and how Arizona's heat changes the loading routine. We ship lifts to Arizona but do not install here; more on that below.

A.R.S. 28-2354, quoted

Under A.R.S. 28-2354, a motor vehicle's plate goes "on the rear." Subsection A, paragraph 3, adds a case written for people who use mobility devices: "For a vehicle for which two special license plates are issued pursuant to section 28-2409, one plate on the rear of the vehicle and one plate on the operator's wheelchair carrier or wheelchair lift when it is attached to the vehicle." Section 28-2409 covers the international symbol of access special plates.

The section then sets the general duties:

• "A person shall maintain each license plate so it is clearly legible."
• Plates must be fastened "To prevent the plate from swinging," "At a height of at least twelve inches from the ground to the bottom of the plate," and "In a position to be clearly visible."
• The plate must be kept "so that the name of this state at the top of the license plate is not obscured." That carries a civil penalty of $30, or $100 for a repeat within twelve months, though subsection E says an officer may not stop a driver for it alone without reasonable cause to believe there is another violation.

Lighting is in A.R.S. 28-925: a tail lamp emitting "a red light plainly visible from a distance of five hundred feet to the rear," mounted between 15 and 72 inches high, and a white light that renders the rear plate "clearly legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear."

The carrier provision tells us Arizona expects some drivers to carry a plate on the lift itself, but we have not confirmed how a second plate is requested or issued, so ask the Arizona Department of Transportation's Motor Vehicle Division before you plan around it. A platform folded up behind the bumper can cover the top edge of a plate as easily as the whole thing. None of this is legal advice, and a local police department can tell you how it reads the rule for your setup.

Lifts with the plate in mind

Look at where your plate sits now, then compare:

• The Bruno ASL-700 Chariot rolls on its own 360-degree wheels and includes a license plate holder with brake, running and turn-signal lights; Bruno rates it at 350 lb (Bruno brochure).
• Harmar's AL500HD carries a power wheelchair on the hitch with fully powered lifting and folding, rated at 400 lb on a Class III or greater hitch, and includes a license plate mount, per its product page.
• Harmar's AL065 hitch hoist lifts 200 lb in a two-piece design whose heaviest part is 23 lb, and Harmar says it keeps your backup camera usable (Harmar).
• Or skip the hitch: the Harmar AL215 is an interior hoist with a 250 lb capacity and a weather-resistant hand control (Harmar).

The heat on the back of a car

The National Weather Service office in Phoenix counted 55 days at or above 110°F in 2023 (NWS Phoenix 2023 review), and warns that "heat-associated deaths in Arizona can occur with temperatures in the mid 80s and hotter" (NWS Phoenix heat safety). NOAA's Arizona climate summary adds that nights at or above 80°F have been "trending upward since 1995," with the increase "much larger in the Phoenix metropolitan area," so even evening loading can be hot.

Loading a device in full sun is real exertion. An interior hoist or a fully powered outside lift reduces the time you spend standing behind the car. Keep water in the vehicle, plan loading for cooler hours when you can, and remember that a scooter seat left on an outside lift can get hot in the sun.

Finding an installer

We ship to your state. Installation isn't available here yet; email us and we'll help you find a local installer. Send us your vehicle's year, make and model, your hitch class and your device's details, and we can check fit with you before you order.

Help through AzTAP

AzTAP, Arizona's Assistive Technology Act program at Northern Arizona University, runs AzLAT financial loans alongside device demonstrations, short-term loans and reuse. We tried to confirm vehicle modification help from the state's vocational rehabilitation program, but its website refused our requests, so ask the program directly.

Shipping a lift to Arizona

Faith Mobility ships to the lower 48 states and DC. Shipping is free on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), we cover the sales tax on every order, and most products are processed in 2-5 business days, though some brands differ. Check fit with the vehicle lift fit check and read shipping to Arizona.

Questions about vehicle lifts in Arizona

Can I put a license plate on my wheelchair lift in Arizona?

A.R.S. 28-2354 provides for it in one case: for a vehicle with two special plates issued under section 28-2409, "one plate on the rear of the vehicle and one plate on the operator's wheelchair carrier or wheelchair lift when it is attached." We have not confirmed how a second plate is issued, so ask ADOT's Motor Vehicle Division.

How high must an Arizona plate be mounted?

A.R.S. 28-2354 says plates must be fastened "At a height of at least twelve inches from the ground to the bottom of the plate," fixed so they do not swing and placed to be "clearly visible." If a lift moves your plate, check the new position against all three before you drive.

Is it a problem if my lift hides the state name on the plate?

It can be. Arizona requires the plate to be kept so "the name of this state at the top of the license plate is not obscured," with a $30 civil penalty, or $100 for a repeat within twelve months. Subsection E limits stops made for that alone, but it is better to keep the name in view.

What should I know about loading a scooter in Arizona heat?

NWS Phoenix warns that "heat-associated deaths in Arizona can occur with temperatures in the mid 80s and hotter," and Phoenix logged 55 days at or above 110°F in 2023. Choose a powered lift or an interior hoist to cut the time spent behind the car, load in cooler hours and carry water.

Do you install vehicle lifts in Arizona?

Not yet. We ship to your state. Installation isn't available here yet; email us and we'll help you find a local installer. We can still review your vehicle, hitch and device details with you so the lift you order fits before it ships.

See the full vehicle lift collection, start with the vehicle lift fit check, or take the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• A.R.S. 28-2354, License plates; attachment; civil penalty
• A.R.S. 28-2409, International symbol of access special plates
• A.R.S. 28-925, Tail lamps
• Bruno ASL-700 Chariot brochure
• Faith Mobility: Harmar AL500HD product page
• Harmar AL065
• Harmar AL215
• NWS Phoenix: 2023 year in review
• NWS Phoenix: heat safety
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Arizona (2022)
• AzTAP