Pulled over again for no front plate in Texas
#1
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Pulled over again for no front plate in Texas
For a front plate, I think it looks decent
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.
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#2
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Wow, it's a shame that the po-po keep pulling you over. Is it a "points paying" moving violation in your state? Friendly suggestion, lose the chrome dealer plate holder and replace with a quality all-black one.
#3
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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.
#4
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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.
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.
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#8
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.
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.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
You could get one of those remote license plate holders. Tons of guys do this.
https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Powe.../dp/B001TLLZ4E
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.
https://www.amazon.com/Electric-Powe.../dp/B001TLLZ4E
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.
#10
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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
-John
#11
Junior Member
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.
#12
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.
#14
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.
#15
Super Member
Crazy
Got my license in 1999 and haven't had a front plate on any car I've owned. No tickets, no warnings, and not even been brought up when I've been pulled over doing other dumb stuff.
Got my license in 1999 and haven't had a front plate on any car I've owned. No tickets, no warnings, and not even been brought up when I've been pulled over doing other dumb stuff.
#17
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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.
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CL55 UPD Cold Air Boost kit, UPD 3000 stall converter, UPD 77mm SC clutched pulley and beltwrap kit, Custom long tubes, UPD crank pulley , UPD suspension kit, UPD SC pulley, Aux. HE, Trunk tank w/rule 2000 pump, Mezeire pump, UPD 5pc idler set, Aluminum rotor hats.
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#18
#19
I posted this elsewhere. From a high-end custom auto body shop in the Chicago area (Auto Art), I got a "Hide-A-Way-Man" manual license plate holder from Race Sport. It works well and completely hidden when underneath, does the trick in the up position when I park in the city. The manual one takes less space underneath than the remote control version. It is also less likely to malfunction over time. Since I drive all year round in Chicago, I just need to be sure not to have the holder underneath if driving in deeper snow due to the low clearance. I hope this is helpful.
Up when you need to display the front plate...
Underneath when you don't need to display the front plate!
Up when you need to display the front plate...
Underneath when you don't need to display the front plate!
Last edited by jstewperry; 02-11-2019 at 10:50 AM.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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#23
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I agree with the sentiment 'why can't they find something better to cite' than a plate violation..........fawkers.
#24
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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):
"What is the penalty for someone whose vehicle does not display temporary or permanent license plates?
The fine amount can differ depending in the county where a violation occurs. The fines range from $25 with proof of correction up to $197 without proof of correction. Drivers may receive multiple tickets if they delay making the correction."
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.
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):
"What is the penalty for someone whose vehicle does not display temporary or permanent license plates?
The fine amount can differ depending in the county where a violation occurs. The fines range from $25 with proof of correction up to $197 without proof of correction. Drivers may receive multiple tickets if they delay making the correction."
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.
My Bottom Line: I'm hoping that most jurisdictions, "compliance discretion" continues as is. Police in CA could ticket cars all day long but it appears that unless there's an initiative like that in LA (where LAX parking garages were also targeted), tickets will not routinely be issued, even with the new temp plate law.
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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.