MVillareal

Not to beat a horse to death, but there is some clarification required here, yes, you are correct that the push for front license plate enforcement is based on the rising number of red light cameras installed in many California intersections, and the bottom line is that we need those cameras to reduce the number of traffic accidents caused by red light runners. The drop in the number of these types of collisions is staggering - so , as a matter of opinion (and a former victim of a red light runner colliding with my police car) the benefits far outweigh the inconveniences.

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.

MVillareal

LOL, you're right, I do hear that a lot and my response "Ignorance is no excuse, please sign on the line"

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. If everybody did that, they would all be in Germany because nobody really drives 65 mph, except when they see a highway patrol car next to them.

On second thought, bad idea moving to Germany because the Germans require a front plate on all of the cars over there

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.

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.

MVillareal

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"

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.

wingless

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.

StapleGun

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.

StapleGun

Where is this at - Where only one officer is authorized to run 'code' to a call???

14cue

pretty useless for an MB dont you think?
i think it's a neat idea. if they had one for our cars i would buy it.

Moviela

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.

14cue

interesting. do you have an AMG bumper?
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!

FIXEDupW209

Well guys, I have had my car for over a year now. I thought I updated it on what they did but I guess not, they had the holes fixed and painted over for me. You can't even tell it was ever drilled into. Now all I have are dents on my front and rear bumper from people who don't know how to parallel park in LA

Anyways, this is how my car looks like now. Just got it tinted on thursday

wingless

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.

Saprissa

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
Click here to sign up for the Spring ROSE BOWL Mercedes-Benz Meet / May 12th

14cue

sweet! i will give them a ring.
anyone know if the c55 bumper has this towing eye? i swear i never saw one even on my c230 amg bumper/

Saprissa

it would be on the bumper impact strip, not the bumper itself.

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

14cue

ahh, gotca. i think it's the same. i remember taking it off once and there wasnt a screw hole. maybe i have to look closer...

Rareamg

I covered the holes with bumper plugs. Doesn't look too bad..

wang

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.

powa

that bumperplug thing seems great, i think i will try it as well. When you purchase the plug, do they paint it for you or you have to do it yourself?

Rareamg

They come painted.

powa

my car is silver, does anyone know what our silver named in MB?

AndySays

My car is iridium silver but you can probably check yours on the mb website

Harry Madan

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.