Is It Legal To Block Taillights And License Plate With Big 3 Bike Rack Carrier On Back Of Car?

Published 11/17/2025

Question:

Can the lights still be seen with three bikes loaded? I don’t want to get stopped for blocking my taillights.

asked by: Denise

Expert Reply:

Great question, Denise; to answer your question, bike racks tend to block the vehicle's license plate and/or taillights sometimes. That’s exactly why Thule added the LED tail lights and license-plate mount to the # TH34FR44SR version. The lights sit below the trays, shining through even with three bikes onboard, keeping you visible and legal. Just plug into your 4-way flat and you’re road-ready. If you don't have a 4 way flat or 2" hitch receiver, let me know what vehicle you have and I'll get you setup!

If your bikes have extra-wide panniers, a plate relocation kit is included in the box. What kind of bikes are you hauling - e-bikes, road, or mixed?

expert reply by: Andrew N

Denise

11/17/2025

Thanks Andrew! I do have two e-bikes and one regular mountain bike, and the baskets on the back stick out a bit. Do the lights still shine through, or will I need to move the license plate lower?

Andrew N.

11/17/2025

@Denise Hey Denise! The Epos lights and license plate mount actually sit below the trays and bike wheels, so even with all three bikes loaded (including fat tires or baskets), the LED lights and license plate remain visible from behind. You’d only run into an issue if your panniers or cargo baskets hung down unusually low, and in that case, the included plate relocation bracket can be moved a few inches to keep everything in view.