Vehicle lifts in Connecticut: plate rules and picking a lift

Before a Connecticut driver bolts a scooter or wheelchair carrier onto the hitch, a practical worry comes up: will the lift hide the license plate and invite a traffic stop? It can, and Connecticut's plate law is strict about it. The fix is usually simple, and it starts with knowing what the statute asks.

Here is what the General Statutes say about plates and lamps, how a New England winter affects a lift on the back of the car, and which lifts suit which vehicles.

The plate and lamp rules a carrier has to respect

Section 14-18(c) is the one to read. It says official number plates "shall be entirely unobscured and the numerals and letters thereon shall be plainly legible at all times." It goes on: "Nothing may be affixed to a motor vehicle or to the official number plates displayed on such vehicle that obscures or impairs the visibility of any information on such number plates" (C.G.S. chapter 246). Plates must be horizontal and "fastened so as not to swing." Breaking subsection (c) "shall be an infraction" under subsection (g).

A folded platform hanging off the hitch is exactly the kind of thing that can block a plate. The same subsection adds a night rule: when lights are required, "the rear number plate shall be so illuminated as to be legible at a distance of fifty feet."

Section 14-96c repeats the lighting point in equipment terms: "The rear registration plate shall be so illumined with a white light as to render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty feet to the rear." Tail lamps must show red "plainly visible from a distance of one thousand feet to the rear" and sit between fifteen and seventy-two inches high.

We did not find a Connecticut statute that names hitch-mounted wheelchair or scooter carriers. Section 14-100a(e) deals with securing a person who stays in a wheelchair in livery vehicles, buses and similar fleets, not a private carrier. So the plate and lamp sections are what a family needs to plan around: relocate the plate to the lift if it would be covered, and keep it lit.

Help with the vehicle side may also come from the state. Connecticut's Department of Aging and Disability Services lists vehicle and home modifications among the assistive technology covered on its services page. We could not open details on who qualifies, so ask the department directly.

Picking a lift for the car you drive

• Harmar AL100HD: a hitch lift for heavier scooters, rated to 400 lb, needing a Class III hitch. A license plate mount comes in the box, and a license plate riser is offered, which speaks directly to section 14-18.
• Bruno ASL-275L Out-Sider: fits Class II or Class III hitches, its platform folds automatically when empty, and a third-brake light is an option for drivers who want extra light at the rear.
• Harmar AL425: a hoist that lifts the device into the cargo area of a van, SUV or truck, rated to 400 lb. Nothing hangs behind the bumper, so the plate stays clear.
• Bruno ASL-700 Chariot: a lift on its own wheels that trails the vehicle and carries a license plate holder, brake and running lights and turn signals. The load rests on the Chariot, and Bruno says it works even behind a small or mid-sized car.

Specifications come from each item's page in our store. Check your hitch class and your vehicle's tongue weight rating before choosing an outside lift.

Salt, slush and dark afternoons

The NOAA summary for Connecticut puts the January average at 27.2°F and records Hartford's all-time January snowfall of 54.3 inches in 2011. A lift on the hitch rides through every bit of that road spray. Several of the lifts above offer a cover as an option.

Winter also brings early darkness, and that is when the fifty-foot plate lighting rule bites. If the lift carries your plate, make sure it carries a working lamp too. An inside hoist avoids the question, at the cost of cargo space. Harmar points out that mounting the AL425 inside also lets you keep using the backup camera.

Connecticut programs for trying equipment

The AT3 Center lists the Connecticut Assistive Technology Program, known locally as the Connecticut Tech Act Project, with device loans, demonstrations, device reuse and a financial loan. The project's site describes its reuse service in these words: "Give new life to gently used AT equipment for a lower cost." A lower-interest loan for AT purchases is also offered.

Getting a lift to Connecticut

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. See our shipping notes for Connecticut and run the vehicle lift fit check with your vehicle and device details at hand.

Questions about vehicle lifts in Connecticut

Can a hitch lift cover my license plate in Connecticut?

No. Section 14-18(c) requires plates to be "entirely unobscured" and plainly legible at all times, and it bars affixing anything that "obscures or impairs the visibility of any information" on the plate. A violation is an infraction. If a folded lift blocks the plate, move the plate to a mount on the lift.

Does the plate need its own light if it moves to the lift?

Yes. Section 14-96c(c) says the rear registration plate must be lit with white light so it is clearly legible from fifty feet behind the vehicle, and section 14-18(c) sets the same fifty-foot standard when lights are required. A plate moved onto a carrier still has to meet both sections.

Is there a Connecticut law just for wheelchair carriers?

We did not find one. The wheelchair provision we read, section 14-100a(e), covers securing people who remain in wheelchairs in livery vehicles, service buses and similar vehicles. For a private hitch carrier, the general plate and lamp sections are the rules that apply.

Can Connecticut help pay for a vehicle modification?

The state's Department of Aging and Disability Services lists vehicle and home modifications among the assistive technology it covers. We could not confirm eligibility rules, so contact the department. The Connecticut Tech Act Project also offers a lower-interest financial loan for assistive technology purchases.

Browse the vehicle lift collection, use the fit check, or work through the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Connecticut General Statutes chapter 246 (ss. 14-18, 14-96c, 14-100a)
• Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services: services we offer
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries 2022: Connecticut
• AT3 Center: Connecticut Assistive Technology Program
• Connecticut Tech Act Project
• Product specifications: Faith Mobility product pages linked above