Front License Plate

AMiller · #1 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 11:53 AM

How many of you folks who live in a state with front plates required actually run one? I have been looking at pictures of different cars and almost never see a front license plate. I dont like the looks of them on the cars when I happen to see one. I also dont like the sounds of a $100 fine for not having one.

My brother just picked up a ticket for no front plate on his Jetta. Cop pulled him over just for that purpose.

I know of 3 Cobras in my area and none of them are running a plate on the nose.
Are you less likely to get ticked for this in the Cobra?

Just Wondering?

Aaron

4RE KLR · #2 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 12:04 PM

$100 fine in Texas. I have never seen a cobra with a front plate here in Texas.

There was a clip on the news the other night that said the police would start enforcing the no front plate laws and that it would bring in approximately $3,000,000 in revenue for the state per year.

I have noticed that about 1 in ten or so cars do not have a front late. I am sure that once the tickets start flying the word would get out though.

scootter · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 12:11 PM

Not sure what the fine is here in California. I don't have one on my cobra, and I have my wifes covered up on the front of her Escalade. She got a speeding ticket, but never said anything about the front plate.
Scott

BDR298 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 12:58 PM

Illinois requires a front plate , I don't know what the fine is. I was at a car show parked next to a t-bucket with a front plate. I started talking to the owner and he was a county sherriff. He told me his guys would just give me a warning but the cops in the small towns around here look for no plate, so I probably should get one. He said mount the plate to an old beat up bracket and tell them it was coming off:-) it might work. I know in Illinois they started enforcing license plate plastic covers and a couple guys at work got tickets and had to remove them. Seems they can take a 'red light' picture through a cover. I don't like they way it looks but I know guys you have gotten tickets recently.

clayfoushee · #5 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 01:03 PM

I do. I like the classic look, and don't care to have to worry about the hassle of a stop, which combined make it a no-brainer.

Wayne Maybury · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 01:10 PM

No front plates required here.

Thank gawd for small miracles.

When you think about it, the front plate serves no useful purpose anyway.

Wayne

RedBarchetta · #7 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 01:13 PM

Front plates required in CA, but I don't have them on the two cars I drive. My wife's and kid's car have them (one is a crossover and the other is a RAV4, so nothing special). I have been ticketed in my C5 at LAX though...they will nail you in their parking garage for $35 a pop. Knock on wood...haven't been pulled over on the street in either the 'Vette or Cobra for no plate.

-Dean

Seagull81 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 01:39 PM

Texas requires the front plate and I put one on my Cobra after a friend of mine got a $140 ticket in Austin for no front plate. That is the only reason the cop gave him for the stop. The guy that did my inspection also informed me they were cracking down on no front plates in our area. I would rather use the $140 for upgrades than waste it on the crap they spend our tax dollars on around here.
Steve

Don · #9 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 01:50 PM

CT requires a front license plate, not aware of any tickets regarding not having the plate, on any type of vehicle, as the only charge.

It might be that not having the plate allows for cause regarding a traffic stop. Have seen the charge in press reports accompanied by other significant charges, such as drugs, alcohol etc., etc.,

carmine · #10 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 02:25 PM

Be very careful!!! The plate holder sandwiched bettween the signal light and the body shown in the photo by Clayfoushee tend to create stress cracks in the fiberglass over time due to the large surface area of air that the plate deflects.

wtm442 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 02:30 PM

Here in Taxachusetts, its only a $35 fine for first ticket, $75 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd ticket. That is with the red lettered plates they have been issuing for a couple of decades. Of course, my daily beater has a real old green lettered plate, which means you only need the one on the rear.

Why do I know all this? Because I checked it all out when I got a ticket in the mail last week for no front plate on my Cobra. I wish the cop had stopped me, because I have the second plate in the trunk. I might have been able to talk my way out of the ticket.

I'm going to add a plate in the front when I get my bracket, but I'm going to check out all of the specialty plates and see if there are any that only require one. Probably the YOM plate (Year Of Manufacture) is the only one.

I think the front plate looks ugly.

clayfoushee · #12 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carmine

Be very careful!!! The plate holder sandwiched bettween the signal light and the body shown in the photo by Clayfoushee tend to create stress cracks in the fiberglass over time due to the large surface area of air that the plate deflects.

If it were only "sandwiched" between the signal light and the body, you might be correct. However, you can't see the additional part of the aluminum bracket behind the plate that loops below the front fender and is attached inside the fender well. There is no deflection at all.

nevermind65 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 03:11 PM

Ohio requires a front plate. I was pulled over numerous times when I didn't run them on my Mustang, but never in the Cobra. I really don't think they pay a lot of attention on cars they know aren't daily drivers. I carry it with me as a "just-in-case", but nothing so far.

thudmaster · #14 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 04:21 PM

The cop said at least I had a front plate............

carmine · #15 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:08 PM

Dont tell me those are stress cracks from your front plate!

1985 CCX · #16 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:17 PM

Here is mine!

CSX3047
Revisit the "Paint it- Gold or Blue?" Poll

jwd · #17 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:43 PM

$124 fine in Wa. State for no front plate. However, if you have an antique or restoration plate, you don't have to have one. I keep a copy of the law in my glove box. These cars look funny with a front plate.

Jim

Rick Parker · #18 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 05:56 PM

Don is correct. The reason according to Police I have questioned is specifically to allow or give grounds to stop you for probable cause. IE: allowing them to stop you for that infraction and then allowing for potential search etc.

BDHE · #19 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 06:55 AM

Aaron;

Missouri requires a front plate. I actually have a stainless bracket for mounting purposes, but it remains brand new sitting on the shelf in may garage - I just can't bear to mess up the lines of the car by putting it on.

I always carry the second plate in the car just in case, but have never been pulled over for not having it mounted. On numerous occasions, I've been sitting at an intersection with a cop/deputy/patrolman on the other side looking at me for several minutes, without getting in trouble. On several other occasions, I've passed representatives of the law-enforcement community and got only a wave from them. So far, so good.

I'll close here -- I have to go knock on some wood now.

Bryon

WarrenG · #20 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 07:50 AM

A friend of mine and I were at a local car club show with our Cobras when two members of the county police came through. They both thoroughly checked out our cars but all they wanted to know was what was the highest speed we had run them up to (we both said whatever the speed limit was wherever we drive).