W203/CL203 TICKETED "for not having a front plate" Thread
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From: Long Beach, CA
2005 C320 Sport, 2006 ML350 (the wife)
Originally Posted by MB-BOB
Maybe we just think alike? I'm sure it's not because we both are wiser with age... 
As you can tell, this little license plate issue means something to me. IMO, when you think of why these plates REALLY are "required" it takes on Big Brother significance.
People park in lots "head-in" 98% of the time, so a front plate can't be seen by a Police Car patrolling the lot. And some perp speeding away from a crime scene shows the police his tail, not his front. So, no help for the Cops in these cases.
But it does aid those intersection cameras that snap photos of front bumpers and driver's faces as they run lights. And it's no secret the vertical face of the plate in front provides an ideal reflective "Target" giving accurate readings for radar and laser speed guns. So, in short, we have these laws to promote revenue generation by local governments?
As a non-speeder and one who hates red light runners, I don't find these benefits sufficient to outweigh the detriments noted previously. I know it's just me... or not.
As you can tell, this little license plate issue means something to me. IMO, when you think of why these plates REALLY are "required" it takes on Big Brother significance.
People park in lots "head-in" 98% of the time, so a front plate can't be seen by a Police Car patrolling the lot. And some perp speeding away from a crime scene shows the police his tail, not his front. So, no help for the Cops in these cases.
But it does aid those intersection cameras that snap photos of front bumpers and driver's faces as they run lights. And it's no secret the vertical face of the plate in front provides an ideal reflective "Target" giving accurate readings for radar and laser speed guns. So, in short, we have these laws to promote revenue generation by local governments?
As a non-speeder and one who hates red light runners, I don't find these benefits sufficient to outweigh the detriments noted previously. I know it's just me... or not.
The plates do not, however, serve any reflective purpose to aid in the use of radar or laser radar devices. The devices (if properly calibrated) will operate with or without front license plates.
As I also posted on a previous related thread, and in agreement with the previous view on this thread, the bottom line is that it is California law and those who do not comply are subject to a ticket. If you don't like the rule, then you should move to a state that does not have this law.
Also, you need to keep in mind that there is a little box on California citations that indicates if the violation is correctable or non correctable. If the officer checks "correctable" then it is nothing more than fixing it and a small court fee. If the officer checks "non correctable" then the court will impose additional fees - usually totalling over $100 - a risk many would probably not take.
Hope this helps.
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From: Long Beach, CA
2005 C320 Sport, 2006 ML350 (the wife)
Originally Posted by Trekman
its funny cuz I know for a fact that if anyone here got pulled over for not having front plates, we would tell the cop that it came from the dealer with out it.... 
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2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by MVillareal
If you don't like the rule, then you should move to a state that does not have this law
On second thought, bad idea moving to Germany because the Germans require a front plate on all of the cars over there
Last edited by mick1; Jan 24, 2006 at 01:04 AM.
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From: Long Beach, CA
2005 C320 Sport, 2006 ML350 (the wife)
Originally Posted by mick1
only if you are BIG on following the rules because people would break the rules all the time. For instance, Governor Schwarzenegger rode his Harley Davidson without having a motorcycle license and nobody fined him. Moving to another state just to conform with a rule seems rather excessive to me. I would rather pay the fine instead.
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2005 C320wz
Originally Posted by MVillareal
Kudos to you for manning up and accepting the consequences - there is definitely not enough of that in this society. I'll tell you right now, I would have thrown the ticket "book" at the governor if that was my call. I'm a firm believer in equal enforcement of the law, no matter who the violator is.
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From: Long Beach, CA
2005 C320 Sport, 2006 ML350 (the wife)
Originally Posted by mick1
I'm more upset with highway patrol officers speeding when they don't chase anyone. Sometimes I would see them driving well over 70 mph without having the flashing lights and siren on. I'm sure some of you have seen them too. Those guys are definitely living above the law.
Do officers overdrive unnecessarily? They sure do and it doesn't make it right, but that is the nature of any profession - Just as they're are priests who molest and doctors who abuse drugs - it sucks.
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From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
This plate bracket uses the existing threaded tow hook hole to affix a front plate, without drilling into the bumper. This plate bracket seems ideal to satisfy the requirements for a "fix-it-ticket" without making permanent mods to the vehicle.
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Wow!!! I would return that car ASAP - that is completely unsat! Keep us posted...all I need to say is document...document..document all your interactions w/this dealer. Some don't find this to be a big deal - I'm with you on this one. Bumper plugs ain't gonna cut it for me. I'm pretty damn sure this dealer has had to deal with this issue before and if they needed to get you to sign something they would have beforehand. There's plenty of other places you can go to, to obtain another vehicle.
Last edited by StapleGun; Apr 14, 2007 at 08:49 AM.
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1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
There are times (more often than not) when officers must respond to backup calls and higher priority calls (not necessarily Code 3 - lights and siren) and it necessitates that they drive faster than usual. When a fellow officer is requesting assistance and only 1 unit is authorized to run with lights and siren to his location, I will be the first to tell you that I would be breaking the speed barrier to get there even if I wasn't the one designated to roll "Code 3".
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From: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
05 C55
This plate bracket uses the existing threaded tow hook hole to affix a front plate, without drilling into the bumper. This plate bracket seems ideal to satisfy the requirements for a "fix-it-ticket" without making permanent mods to the vehicle.
i think it's a neat idea. if they had one for our cars i would buy it.
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From: Orange County
2005 C Wagon (No snickering please!)
My car has a tow hook mount in the front bumper. It has a small plastic cover over it. Inside is a single threaded hole. I did mount my plate there for a few mins while PD signed me off.
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From: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
05 C55
i dont have my car atm so i cant even find out if i have it. if the bracket above works i would def. buy it!
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A bucket on wheels
Anyways, this is how my car looks like now. Just got it tinted on thursday
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From: Rhode Island
Debadged 6-Speed '05 C320 Sports Coupe
This plate bracket uses the existing threaded tow hook hole to affix a front plate, without drilling into the bumper. This plate bracket seems ideal to satisfy the requirements for a "fix-it-ticket" without making permanent mods to the vehicle.
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
I actually think I'm going to get one of those.
Not that I'm permanently putting on my front license plate.... never will.
But this might come in handy instead of double-sided velcro sticky tape to get those "correctable" citations signed off.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
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Not that I'm permanently putting on my front license plate.... never will.
But this might come in handy instead of double-sided velcro sticky tape to get those "correctable" citations signed off.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
Click here to sign up for the Spring ROSE BOWL Mercedes-Benz Meet / May 12th
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From: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
05 C55
Sure, just give 'em a call, they'll set you up. The Moss plate kit eye bolt threads match those on the MB towing eye bolt.
anyone know if the c55 bumper has this towing eye? i swear i never saw one even on my c230 amg bumper/
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From: San Diego, CA & San Jose, Costa Rica & Stuttgart, Germany
1959 220S / 1979 230 G / 2002 A210 AMG / 2003 C320 SC / 2004.5 C320 SS / 2005 ML350 SE / 2008 smart
Both on the C-Coupe and C-Sedan.
C55 however, is different front end than other C-Sedans, so I'm not sure on that one.
Carlos
Saprissa@aol.com
Click here to sign up for the Spring ROSE BOWL Mercedes-Benz Meet / May 12th
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From: Vancouver, B.C. Canada
05 C55
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From: SoCal
'06 C230 - Mars Red
My suggestion for all you folks in LA is to stay the hell away from metered parking near Little Tokyo. I just got a $25 first offense for failure to display front plates, and that was the ONLY reason I got a ticket -- the meter still had time on it; there were three squad cars in that area on what appeared to be meter maid duty, which is a waste of resources IMO.
I'm up for Flexible Service B next week, but I'm debating whether I should actually get my bumper drilled.
Do any other Cali residents know if it's OK to keep the plate inside on the dash (it's still being displayed up front) instead? I've been in AZ before, and I'd like to avoid putting a plate up front if I can. I know it's RTFStateLaws, but it's an interesting question that deserves discussion anyway.
I'm up for Flexible Service B next week, but I'm debating whether I should actually get my bumper drilled.
Do any other Cali residents know if it's OK to keep the plate inside on the dash (it's still being displayed up front) instead? I've been in AZ before, and I'd like to avoid putting a plate up front if I can. I know it's RTFStateLaws, but it's an interesting question that deserves discussion anyway.
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From: Vancouver, Canada
03' E39 M5, 10' CLS63 AMG
Front License Plate HELP
Hey guys,
I just got a ticket for not having a front license plate, and I remember someone on this form was talking about have a front license mount that screwed into the front tow hitch of the car? i was wondering if anyone here can help me find that or shoot me in the right direction to get that license plate mount. ?
thx for the help.
I just got a ticket for not having a front license plate, and I remember someone on this form was talking about have a front license mount that screwed into the front tow hitch of the car? i was wondering if anyone here can help me find that or shoot me in the right direction to get that license plate mount. ?
thx for the help.
