Is it permissible for an officer to query a license plate that is in plain view without an investigative reason?

An officer querying a license plate that is in plain view without an investigative reason is permissible because it falls under the realm of public information. License plates are generally considered to be visible to the public, and law enforcement officers have the authority to access and query vehicle registration data as a part of their duty to maintain public safety.

In this scenario, the officer is utilizing a tool at their disposal to gather information that is publicly accessible. Since there's no expectation of privacy regarding license plates that are displayed on vehicles, the query can be conducted without the need for specific investigative cause. This practice is relevant for verifying ownership, ensuring that the vehicle is properly registered, or determining if the vehicle has any associated alerts or flags.

The other options provided imply restrictions that are generally not applicable to this situation. The context of permissible use of law enforcement databases encompasses routine checks on visible vehicle information as a part of regular patrol and safety measures.