Pulled over again for no front plate in Texas
 

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...ed9140b871.jpg

For a front plate, I think it looks decent
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mbw...af8069ddf3.jpg
I can't believe all the serious traffic violations that go un-ticketed here in Texas. To mention a few: tailgating, speeding, and unsafe lane changes. How the police can find the time to pull over someone for a front license plate not mounted is beyond me.

Anyway, I've gotten two warnings. The bracket that came with the car will not work. Dealer is baffled too. Police officer said "That they may need to fly in a German Engineer", to solve the puzzle. If the plate is mounted anywhere but in the center of the grill, flow to the intercoolers and radiator will be restricted.

I did find a way to get the ticket signed off without drilling holes. Using a bracket from a C-250 and some Velcro to the bracket and plastic grill will hold the bracket and license plate in place, problem solved. If you wanted to make it more permanent, a small hole could be drilled from the bottom into the bracket to secure permanently.. The small hole could be plugged with a black plastic rivet purchased at Home Depot if you decided to remove your plate at a later date.

Anyway, take a look at the pics.

I've only been pulled over two times in five years. No points or fines yet. Just a written warning. I hear that the police keep the warnings on file and will write you up if they check their data base..

I don't use the chrome plate holder. I was just showing what it would look like if the plate was mounted.. I still don't display a front plate.

Where in Texas are you? I am in the Dallas area and was ticketed once for same

Austin

Maybe he just wanted to get a closer look at your beautiful car.

You could get one of those remote license plate holders. Tons of guys do this.


I don't know if the front splitter is too low for that kinda thing but worth looking into.


Also, those cops totally just wanted to check your car out.

Yes, I looked into it. I'm pretty sure that the GTS is too low. One steep driveway, and your plate will be gone. Thanks

If you guys have Instagram, look up Anthony Graziano. Give him a follow. He's from NY and had a company get him a front license plate holder via his tow hook. Shoot him a message im sure he'll give details on the company who makes em!

-John

I would try a silver or black license plate frame to shrink the look of the plate, make it blend. Looks good now thou. Easy ticket for LE, and a simple report for no plate compaired to other offences.

No front plate on my C63 and I've been in Austin for 3 years - and never pulled over for that. Even when pulled over for a speeding ticket once ever 3-4 years they don't say a thing about no front plate. Prior to that I was in the Plano/Frisco area for years and was left alone. Sorry to hear you have been singled out.

So, John, have you been talking to your state rep? ;-)

Me either and I have been leaving the front plate off cars since about 2010. I know that in Steiner Ranch the TC sheriff has been monitoring Quinlan Park and people have gotten cited there. I live in Austin (Northwest Hills) above Bull Creek. Have lived in Austin for 44 years and this house for 22.

Isn't Austin become the next Kalifornia? Super liberal?!

I hear ya! They get me on multiple cars at least once or twice a year! Total BS! I tie strap one on, go to the court house, pay 10 bucks and then take it off again. Mailing the fine in, cost like 200 as I recall.

Check this out about Texas.

https://www.motor1.com/news/304256/t...license-plate/

California is going to become a challenge for driving without a front plate. Until January of this year new cars (and newly-registered used cars) did not have temporary or "paper plates." Instead, there was a piece of paper the dealer usually taped to the lower right corner of the widnshield on the inside with the VIN and registered owner showing. It was scotch-taped onto the widnshield, so it could be removed and shown to a cop. In that space I have put the AMG Lounge stickre I received, so it looks like the old piece of paper. But not any more. Paper plates are required on the front and back.

When I first got the car I bought a bulky holder that screwed into the tow hook. I may be using that soon if I get a fix-it ticket. At some point I may have to actually affix the front plate.

I thought the little sticker was odd. I flew into LAX and picked up my GLA45 from FJ in Newport and drove it home (out of state). Found it very peculiar there was only that little sticker in the bottom right. I've always seen/had a temporary in the rear. Easier for cops to see the temporary in the rear anyways.

Yes, thank God.

Beautiful city.

I agree with the sentiment 'why can't they find something better to cite' than a plate violation..........fawkers.

CA DMV Rationale for New Temp Lic Plates
 

I did some research on this topic at this link: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/templp. I live in CA and don't have front plates on either of our cars. I did get a "fix-it ticket" a few years ago with an SL63 while leaving the LA auto show. Also, while living in MA for a couple of years, I used a tow hook setup for the front plate on a 911.

In the past when purchasing a car, I've had to sign a form stating that I am OK with the dealer not installing the front plate. In the new DMV notice, there are no specific references to a front plate; however, there is wording like this below (note, used cars in CA keep the previous owner's plate as long as it's a CA plate, hence the reference below to "permanent license plates"; and this would also apply to currently registered out-of-state cars):
This wording probably already exists in the DMV rules, though.

We're getting more and more toll roads in CA with a plan to convert some carpool lanes to toll lanes. Many don't require a transponder; rather you go on a website within 3 or 5 days and pay the toll, so the license plate is needed (but I'm thinking it must scan rear plates given the number of no-front-plate cars in CA). It's true that in a major accident, if a car had lost it's rear plate, the front plate could be useful, but the car should have registration data if not destroyed, and the probability of depending only on the front plate must be very low.

Here is DMV's rationale for this change:

The intent is to assist law enforcement and parking/toll agencies in identifying vehicles driven without license plates. Safety Issue for Law Enforcement – Unable to identify a vehicle that may have been involved in a crime before law enforcement approaches it. Difficult to investigate crimes involving vehicles.


Toll Evasion – Previously, vehicles could be driven without license plates after a retail sale. Too often, vehicle purchasers delay actually attaching their permanent license plates to the vehicle after they receive them from DMV. During this period, it is impossible to identify vehicles violating toll requirements on roads and bridges. This contributed to toll evasion, costing local governments as much as $15 million in lost revenue annually.

I say take the fine or warning and call it a day. Unless points are involved, nothing is worth screwing up those beautiful front end looks with ugly plates.