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Unfortunately, I got a Fix-It ticket for tinted front windows AND missing front license plate. I was coming out of a freeway exit where this cop was waiting for red light. He immediately made a U-turn and pulled me over just for the tint and front plate. Really?!
I will get the tint film removed by the tint shop. As to the front license plate, I hate to drill holes on the bumper and ruin the look. The dealer provided the plastic license plate base when I took delivery. (See the attached picture) Is there any way I can temporarily yet securely put this thing on/in front so that I can take it off without holes in the bumper after inspection? What other alternatives are there?
Depends if you plan to keep it on the car after the fix it ticket. The tow hook plate holder is an option as mentioned above. Or zip tie it to the lower grill then take it off afterwards. That's what I used to do
Where do you live? Sucks to get the ticket for the tinted windows... I have my windows dark tinted (5% all around) luckily i've never been pulled over!
Thank you all for the reply and suggestion. I do plan to take it off after I get the ticket signed off, so zip tie sounds good except that I wonder if it will pass the inspection. I mean, it seems obvious that the plate will be off again as soon as I get their signature. Anyone has experience as to how permanent-looking the frame installation has to be?
@AvergeGuy: I live in So Cal, got the ticket in Anaheim. I have 35% all around except windshield.
I'm using one of these. While you do have to drill holes, the holes are in the underside of the bumper so you'll never see them when you remove the bracket.
2022 E350 Diamond White Metallic, 2016 GLC300 Dakota Brown Metallic
I live in Texas. Some jurisdictions are enforcing front plates. I gave up worry about alternative options and had the dealer install the front plate brackets. They look fine. I have family in Canada as well as in the EU where they are also required. I would just install it and quit worry about it.
So I used zip ties to secure the front license plate base so that it does not fall off on my way to police station to get the ticket sign off. It actually doesn't look too bad in the front view because I purposely lower the base so that it does not cover the upper bumper. However, this leaves a gap between the bumper and the frame base from side view. For comparison, I also attached two pictures from local dealership website which show how the license plate base would look like if installed by drilling the bumper.
The black zip ties will be covered by the license plate in front view, and are almost invisible from side view. Not the best solution, but it good enough as a temporary fix.
Thanks again for your suggestions and comments. I really appreciate it.
I used double sided tape on the OEM bracket on one of my cars when I got the fix it. I think I had to shave down the OEM plate holder to get it to sit correctly and look OEM without drilling it.
Anyway, the cop came out of the station, took a quick look from 15 feet away, said "Looks good to me!", and signed off the ticket. And I was on my way.
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