No front plates where required?

Zcott · 06-23-2009, 02:21 PM

So... I live in Texas which "requires" the front plate.
Like many here with sleek cars I've chosen not to install it.

I've been told most cops won't pull you over just for the missing plate, but was wondering if anyone has experience otherwise???

theDreamer · 06-23-2009, 02:25 PM

Also in Texas and do not have a front plate installed. Most cops will not unless you are doing something else wrong (illegal), some might if they are in a bad mood. I bought the Stillen plate holder and keep my front plate attached to it in the rear underneath the carpets just in case.

fly yellow · 06-23-2009, 02:32 PM

I'm in Maryland where they require it and they enforce it heavily. I just put it on when I bought the thing.

Robert_Nash · 06-23-2009, 02:37 PM

Not installing a front license plate when your car is titled in a state that requires one is like an open invitation to be pulled-over.

Like anything else, you may drive for years without ever getting a second glance from a LEO because of a missing license plate or you may get pulled over while leaving your driveway for the first time.

That said, a sports car already draws what most would say is an inordinate amount of scrutiny from LEOs so I see no compelling reason to add to the "attraction".

zZSportZz · 06-23-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fly yellow

I'm in Maryland where they require it and they enforce it heavily. I just put it on when I bought the thing.

Amen to that. I got pulled over the same day I got rid of the temp tags. I lasted....about 3 hours without a front plate before the blues went on.

Maryland does not F around when it comes to front plates.

kannibul · 06-23-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zZSportZz

Amen to that. I got pulled over the same day I got rid of the temp tags. I lasted....about 3 hours without a front plate before the blues went on.

Maryland does not F around when it comes to front plates.

So I guess they pull over people who are out of state too?

I'd love to see that.

TheWeatherman · 06-23-2009, 04:05 PM

You know what really ticks me off about our front license plate bracket? I noticed on another one of our Wisconsin Z Club member's 370, the screws dig into the paint and plastic of our front bumpers. Anyone else have this? The screws are too long! I even have the dealer frame around it for extra clearance. 2 Wisconsin 370's with front bumper screw damage. We bought it from two completely different dealers. Grrrrrr.

zZSportZz · 06-23-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

So I guess they pull over people who are out of state too?

I'd love to see that.

I don't think they can legally write you a ticket for the vehicle laws of their state if you are registered in your state and just passing through can they?

For example, Maine requires an inspection yearly but MD only requires it when you register the car. I don't think a Maine officer can give me a ticket for not having an inspection sticker if I'm visiting....or can they?

So I think if you are out of state you are fine.

fly yellow · 06-23-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zZSportZz

I don't think they can legally write you a ticket for the vehicle laws of their state if you are registered in your state and just passing through can they?

For example, Maine requires an inspection yearly but MD only requires it when you register the car. I don't think a Maine officer can give me a ticket for not having an inspection sticker if I'm visiting....or can they?

So I think if you are out of state you are fine.

At the time he was pulled over the car was temporarily registered in VA and I guess VA requires temp tags on the front as well. I can't see one of those cardboard tags holding up to well on the front of a car.

Robert_Nash · 06-23-2009, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kannibul

So I guess they pull over people who are out of state too?

I'd love to see that.

They likely can't write you a ticket for it but that doesn't mean they can't pull you over.

They generally aren't going to "pull you over" unless they are behind you...if they are behind you it's very, very easy for them to run the plate and make sure it comes back to the right kind of vehicle and if they don't already know I'm sure they can check to see whether the state the vehicle is registered in is supposed to have a front plate or not...anything comes back a little "off" (like you are supposed to have a front plate and don't) and they have just cause to pull you over and may well give you a good once-over just to make sure nothing else "off" comes up.

A lot of "stupid criminals" with major felonies hanging over their head get caught for little things like that.

joejo02 · 06-23-2009, 02:38 PM

required in california. but I don't do it anyways. One time i got a ticket by the walking parking authorities (DPT) here in San Francisco. Went out the car for literally 3 mins.. when I came back i thought it was a parking ticket, but it was a ticket for no front license plate. Ridiculous. Anyways, just a fix-it ticket.. heard its 20 bucks now.. should be around that price.

EVO_Killer · 06-23-2009, 03:09 PM

Its law here in Manitoba. I bought the Stillen front plate too but am keeping it in the truck unless I need it.

wstar · 06-23-2009, 03:16 PM

I'm also in TX. I ran my last car for 10 years without a front plate, got ticketed a couple times, it was worth it. In the overall, getting a front plate ticket is rare.

molamann · 06-23-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joejo02

required in california. but I don't do it anyways. One time i got a ticket by the walking parking authorities (DPT) here in San Francisco. Went out the car for literally 3 mins.. when I came back i thought it was a parking ticket, but it was a ticket for no front license plate. Ridiculous. Anyways, just a fix-it ticket.. heard its 20 bucks now.. should be around that price.

How long does it take to get a fix-it ticket taken care of? I heard those are a giant pain in the *** especially in CA due to waiting in line(hours.)

kannibul · 06-23-2009, 03:18 PM

Personally, unless the plate is printed backwards for the front (reference: ECNALUBMA) and you like tailgating cops, I can't understand for the life of me why a front plate would be required.

06-23-2009, 02:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
Zcott Base Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 89 Drives: 09 370Z Sport PG M6 Rep Power: 16	No front plates where required? So... I live in Texas which "requires" the front plate. Like many here with sleek cars I've chosen not to install it. I've been told most cops won't pull you over just for the missing plate, but was wondering if anyone has experience otherwise???

06-23-2009, 02:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
theDreamer A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 30,879 Drives: 370z Rep Power: 4211	Also in Texas and do not have a front plate installed. Most cops will not unless you are doing something else wrong (illegal), some might if they are in a bad mood. I bought the Stillen plate holder and keep my front plate attached to it in the rear underneath the carpets just in case. __________________ theDreamer's Z // Fast Intentions // Uprev // GTM // HKS // TEIN theDreamer's Silvia // URAS // GREDDY Houston Zs // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram

06-23-2009, 02:32 PM	#3 (permalink)
fly yellow Enthusiast Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 455 Drives: 09 yellow 370z Rep Power: 265	I'm in Maryland where they require it and they enforce it heavily. I just put it on when I bought the thing. __________________ A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer. Mitch Hedberg

06-23-2009, 02:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Robert_Nash Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN/Savannah GA Posts: 762 Drives: '14 Q60IPL/'14Armada Rep Power: 18	Not installing a front license plate when your car is titled in a state that requires one is like an open invitation to be pulled-over. Like anything else, you may drive for years without ever getting a second glance from a LEO because of a missing license plate or you may get pulled over while leaving your driveway for the first time. That said, a sports car already draws what most would say is an inordinate amount of scrutiny from LEOs so I see no compelling reason to add to the "attraction". __________________ Robert -My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama -

06-23-2009, 03:16 PM	#13 (permalink)
wstar A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 4,024 Drives: too slow Rep Power: 3595	I'm also in TX. I ran my last car for 10 years without a front plate, got ticketed a couple times, it was worth it. In the overall, getting a front plate ticket is rare. __________________ 7AT Track Car! Journal thread / Car setup details

06-23-2009, 04:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
TheWeatherman Enthusiast Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 265 Drives: 2009 370Z 6MTw/Sport Rep Power: 17	You know what really ticks me off about our front license plate bracket? I noticed on another one of our Wisconsin Z Club member's 370, the screws dig into the paint and plastic of our front bumpers. Anyone else have this? The screws are too long! I even have the dealer frame around it for extra clearance. 2 Wisconsin 370's with front bumper screw damage. We bought it from two completely different dealers. Grrrrrr.

06-23-2009, 02:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
joejo02 Base Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 59 Drives: none Rep Power: 250	required in california. but I don't do it anyways. One time i got a ticket by the walking parking authorities (DPT) here in San Francisco. Went out the car for literally 3 mins.. when I came back i thought it was a parking ticket, but it was a ticket for no front license plate. Ridiculous. Anyways, just a fix-it ticket.. heard its 20 bucks now.. should be around that price.

06-23-2009, 03:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
kannibul A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 2,281 Drives: 370z Touring/Sport Rep Power: 267	Personally, unless the plate is printed backwards for the front (reference: ECNALUBMA) and you like tailgating cops, I can't understand for the life of me why a front plate would be required.

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