Originally Posted by ElVee

I live in Iowa where we do require front plates. However, I don't run one on the front. I do keep the plate inside my car in a protective sleeve with padding in the shelf behind the passenger seat, along with tow hook mounting gear. Other threads have info, so you should probably do a search for "license plate" for thread titles.

But some things to think about as you read:

- Are there lots of reports of police in your state/city being ornery about this?
- What is the fine in your state for violating this? (Iowa is a palatable $40) Does it stack as you get fined for it repeatedly?
- What sort of violation is it? (Will it affect your traffic rating/points...?)
- Look around at other sporty cars to see if all of them are running front plates (corvettes, etc). Here in central Iowa, many sporty cars opt to not run the front plate, and I've heard of very few being fined.
- You could even ask at a Corvette or other sporty car dealer for some "off the record" opinions or observations of their buyers.
- I'd suggest keeping the plate with you, and think about mounting it if you drive out of state. What are your border state rules? I'd rather get in trouble in my home state than out of state.
- Don't regularly trigger redlight/speed cameras just because you feel free without the front plate.
- Avoid putting the plate loose on your dashboard. In some states that is an offense in itself, but everywhere else it's a decapitation hazard in the event of a violent accident.

I wouldn't come up with any excuses for not doing it. Don't try to jerk the LEO over; they've heard it all already and aren't going to buy it. If they let you by, they're choosing to of their own accord. At most, just let them know you've not put it on yet, but were planning to. You just didn't want to use the dealer setup because it requires holes drilled in the bumper. Also, don't carry or do anything else illegal in your car if you choose to not sport a front plate. They can use lack of a front plate as the reason to pull you over and start looking for other violations. So if you have history or are cautious about interacting with LEOs, don't give them more reason to notice you.

Lastly, don't ever complain about being pulled over for lack of a front plate when you freely choose to roll without the front plate.