Vehicle lifts in Oklahoma: plate, lamp and DRS rules

Oklahoma families who load a scooter or power chair onto a hitch lift usually discover the plate question the first time they look at the back of the car. The rear plate is often right behind the platform. Oklahoma's vehicle code has specific language about plates being covered, and an unusual rule about extra lights placed around them.

This guide walks through those rules in the state's own words, then looks at how the Department of Rehabilitation Services handles vehicle modification assessments, and finishes with lifts suited to Oklahoma trucks, SUVs and sedans.

Oklahoma's plate and lighting statutes

Plate display is in Title 47, section 1113 of the Oklahoma Statutes: "The license plate shall be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle, except truck-tractor plates which shall be attached to the front of the vehicle." The next sentences are the ones that matter with a lift on the hitch: "The license plate, decal and all letters and numbers shall be clearly visible at all times. The operation of a vehicle in this state, regardless of where such vehicle is registered, upon which the license plate is covered, overlaid or otherwise screened with any material, whether such material be clear, translucent, tinted or opaque, shall be a violation of this paragraph."

Section 12-204 covers taillamps. Vehicles need "at least two tail lamps mounted on the rear, on the same level and as widely spaced laterally as practicable" that "emit a red light visible from a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet to the rear," and every tail lamp must sit "at a height of not more than seventy-two (72) inches nor less than fifteen (15) inches."

Section 12-204.1 governs the plate lamp, and it cuts both ways. "No more than two separate lamps with a white light shall be so constructed and placed as to illuminate the rear license plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of fifty (50) feet to the rear." It also says that operating a vehicle "upon which the license plate is surrounded or framed, partially or in whole, by any additional lamp or lamps or otherwise lighted by any additional lamp or lamps, shall be a violation of this section." So when you move a plate onto a lift, light it with no more than two white lamps and skip any decorative ring of lights.

The Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) addresses vehicles through its vocational rehabilitation program. Its assistive technology page says Vocational Rehabilitation Assistive Technology Specialists "complete a variety of assessments based on the counselor's referral and the consumer's need," focused on "obtaining employment or keeping a job." The listed areas include "home or vehicle modifications," and "The AT assessment involves the initial visit, trial of equipment, follow-up and final inspection of equipment."

Storms, ice and long Oklahoma drives

NOAA's Oklahoma climate summary says severe thunderstorms are common, with "approximately 45 to 60 thunderstorm days each year," and that the state averaged 60 tornadoes a year from 1985 to 2019, most often in April and May. Freezing rain is a regular event, particularly in the southeast, and annual snowfall ranges from under 2 inches in the far southeast to almost 30 in the Panhandle.

A device riding outside on a platform takes all of that weather head on, so a cover is worth considering on any hitch lift. After an ice storm, look at the plate and lamps as well as the windshield: section 1113 asks for a plate that is clearly visible at all times.

Lifts for Oklahoma vehicles

• Harmar AL300 FULL Fusion: ships with a strap kit, a power-chair hold-down arm and a scooter hold-down foot, so it can follow a move from scooter to power chair. Capacity is 350 lb on a Class II or higher hitch, with a license plate mount included.
• Harmar AL560XL: an extra large powered hitch lift for rear, mid and front wheel drive power chairs up to 350 lb, held by a padded arm and wheel cradles.
• Harmar AL815CC Crew Cab Hoist: built for crew cab trucks, lifting and rotating a chair or scooter up to 135 lb, with an arm that adjusts from 49.25 to 67 in to reach into the cab.
• ComfyGO GO Lift: a portable lift on casters for raising a wheelchair or scooter into a trunk, from 9.5 to 32.8 in, on a removable 24V lithium battery. ComfyGO says to use it on flat, non-slippery surfaces.

Before choosing, confirm your hitch class, the vehicle's tongue weight rating and the device's weight and footprint.

Help in Oklahoma

Ask a DRS vocational rehabilitation counselor if a lift relates to getting or keeping work. For trying equipment, Oklahoma ABLE Tech is the state program listed by the AT3 Center for device loans, demonstrations, reutilization and financial loans. Its site says the loan inventory spans 10 categories, including seating, positioning and mobility as well as vehicle modifications.

Ordering and delivery to Oklahoma

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; shipping is free over $500 and $15 under $500, and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days, and some brands differ. Visit our Oklahoma shipping page, or use the vehicle lift fit check to start.

Questions about vehicle lifts in Oklahoma

Is it illegal in Oklahoma for a hitch lift to block my plate?

Section 1113 of Title 47 requires the plate and all its letters and numbers to be "clearly visible at all times," and makes it a violation to drive with a plate "covered, overlaid or otherwise screened with any material." A carrier in front of the plate runs into that rule, so use the lift's plate mount or a riser to keep it visible.

Can I add lights around a relocated license plate in Oklahoma?

Be careful. Section 12-204.1 allows no more than two white lamps to light the rear plate, legible from 50 feet, and says a plate "surrounded or framed, partially or in whole, by any additional lamp or lamps" is a violation. Keep plate lighting simple when it moves to a lift.

Does Oklahoma DRS help with vehicle modifications?

The DRS assistive technology page lists "home or vehicle modifications" among the assessments its specialists complete on a counselor's referral, with a focus on getting or keeping a job. The process includes an initial visit, a trial of equipment, follow-up and a final inspection. Ask a DRS counselor about eligibility.

What taillamp rules apply with a lift on my car in Oklahoma?

Section 12-204 requires at least two red tail lamps on the same level, visible from 1,000 feet to the rear and mounted between 15 and 72 inches high. If a platform or device hides them, the vehicle may not meet that rule, so check the view from behind with the lift loaded.

For every lift we carry, see the vehicle lift collection; for a shortlist, use the fit check; for a broader plan, complete the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Oklahoma Statutes Title 47 (sections 1113, 12-204 and 12-204.1), Oklahoma Legislature
• Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services: VR assistive technology
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Oklahoma (2022)
• AT3 Center: Oklahoma
• Oklahoma ABLE Tech
• Harmar AL300 FULL Fusion product page
• Harmar AL560XL product page
• Harmar AL815CC product page
• ComfyGO GO Lift product page