Augusta residents can be fined for leaving expired decals on vehicles

Ironic timing on this story because SWAC Husband and I were just talking about it yesterday as we drove on I-64. The pretty blue Augusta County decal is still on my windshield even though it says "2008" -- the last year decals were required -- and my concern was that police officers in other jurisdictions, not realizing Augusta doesn't have physical decals anymore, may try to make an issue out of it.

Little did I know that it would be an issue right here in Augusta. This from the Staunton News Leader:

Now that the county has eliminated car decals, residents must remove expired stickers or face a tickets or failed inspection, according to the county attorney.

County Attorney Patrick Morgan sent a memo today reminding residents to remove their decals.

The Code of Virginia under Section 46.2-1052 states that it is illegal to operate a vehicle in the State of Virginia with any sign, poster or material on the windshield unless it is required by law. The State Police manual requires inspectors to reject any vehicle that has any sticker placed on the windshield, except those required under state or federal law. Since Augusta County does not require the sticker, the inspector can either issue a rejection sticker or remove the decal so it will pass inspection.

Does anyone else just shake their head at this type of stuff ? We have laws for absolutely everything.

I liked the fact the decal showed "Augusta County." While staying at Yellowstone National Park some years ago, a car parked next to us with Virginia license plates had a Henrico decal. We later met the folks but, if not for the windshield decal, I would not have known they were next-door neighbors to where we lived in Chesterfield.

Oh, well ... I'll be scraping off the decal.